or

Country & Language

Most common

More

Free shipping

Linen

Breathable    Durable    Rich texture    Airy feel


Linen is the durable plant-based material that we never tire of. A material that we all seem to have an affinity, due to its longevity and relevance to style and quality historically. The always-in-fashion linen shirt is a classic and timeless garment that feels just as right to wear on the beach, as it does when dressing up for a summer party. Linen's utility and comfort, its rich texture and effortless appearance, that keep us coming back year-after-year.

Image Not Found

Farming flax

We know that some of the best farming land for flax is found in territories including France, Belgium and the Netherlands, where the soil is particularly suitable. Combined with the right climate, as well as the competence of generations of flax growers, this proves to be the perfect combination for the cultivation of flax.


Did you know the flax plant can achieve approximately one meter in height? Amazing considering the blue flower is nothing more than a tiny capsule containing 10 seeds, which linen comes from. Europe remains the best production area for linen. Flax grows best where soil is relatively warm, where there is a good exposure to the sun and where the nights are cool. During the time of harvesting, between July and August, it is imperative that the weather is dry. At harvest, the plant must be extracted from the land to its complete height, as this is the only way that maximum length of the fiber can be assured.

How the flax develops

With the right degree of humidity, the plants are lifted mechanically and pressed into large bales. All bales are identified with a label that shows the references of the field and farmer, so that each harvest is recognizable and can be collected and divided in the later stages. To extract the fibers from the stalk, it is necessary to remove the woody residue from the center of the stem. The operation is known as scutching. The longest staple fibers are hand-selected at the exit from the turbines and are classified based on their characteristics and color.


The entire process of quality linen production takes place in Europe, limiting the transportation impact and encouraging the employment of local and experienced communities. Terre de Lin applies a fair policy of shared remuneration of the flax growers, based on the quantity and quality of the fibers and seeds produced.

Image Not Found
Image Not Found

Combing, pressing and bleaching of flax fibers

The transportation of the linen begins in the fields of Normandy, where it is transported to Italy and the Bergamo province. The Linificio e Canapificio Nazionale transforms the valuable long fibers into yarn, using the latest modern spinning technologies.


The process consists of four main steps: combing, pressing, bleaching and spinning. By combing the fibers, they are passed through combs that are becoming progressively finer and cleaner. The combed slivers are stretched and coupled, completing the parallelization and position of the fibers, ready to become yarn, after bleaching.

How to spin linen yarn

The actual spinning irons, refines and twists the fibers to obtain cohesion of the yarn. The most modern spinning machines and the experience of skilled technicians are required to create the finest yarn counts. The Linificio use the sophisticated technique of wet spinning with water, heated to allow the fibers to swell, favoring slippage between them to create a yarn that is fine and sturdy. The final steps involve winding and yarn cleaning, to remove any remaining impurities and to wind it onto the special cones suitable for dyeing.

Stenströms x linen

Linen has a long tradition and a heritage that fascinates us. There are few other garments in history, that have been associated with such elegance as the classic linen shirt. For many years, we have specialized in making shirts and blouses in 100% linen, and when spring makes its entrance, these garments are the obvious first choice.


The linen shirt with its casual feel has been worn by style icons for as long as we can remember and continues to inspire our design team year after year. Each season, we update our spring/summer collections with linen shirts in new colors and patterns for both men and women. The interest in the material seems to constantly increase, and our range of linen garments now also includes jackets, blazers, dresses, T-shirts and skirts.

The history of linen

The history of linen is entwined with that of the great civilizations of the Mediterranean basin and across Europe. The use of linen dates back to 8,000 years BC, when Egyptian linen had a level of perfection that seemed impossible for the others at that time to recreate, making for an important foreign trade market. When linen was imported to Europe it was discovered that the best soils for growing flax were located in France and Flanders, places that in the early Renaissance became the capital of linen, with Bruges representing a center of fineness.


In Europe, shirts and linen trousers were universally adopted, first to protect against skin diseases and then as a symbol of elegance. However, it was during the Renaissance that linen really triumphed, already used as household and bed linen, it became a style ‘go-to’ for every fine occasion. Not only for intimate apparel, but also for shirts, collars and details that enhanced the beauty of the wearer.

stenstroms-logo

Using only the best fabrics and trims, we craft classic and contemporary clothing that has become internationally renowned. The perfect fit and feel based on more than 125 years of sustainable  craftsmanship.

bottom-logo
bottom-logo
payment_image
Sitemap | © 2024 AB Stenströms Skjortfabrik | All rights reserved