Linen is a widely used fabric, all over the world. Linen is mostly used in winters but its comfortability and soothing properties make it a very likable fabric for all weathers. Linen dresses can be used for frocks, gowns, tunics, shirts, skirts, and for traditional shalwar kameez.
Benefits of linen dresses:
Linen has some very unique properties such as:
- Highly absorbent: It can hold 20% of its actual weight giving the wet feeling
- Quick-dry: It dries out very quickly hence it doesn’t hold sweat for long
- Highly breathable: Flax fibers are hollow structures hence giving more room for air to pass, making it more breathable
- Temperature adaptability: Linen has a certain quality that unlike cotton maintains temperature. It acts as an insulator. In hot temperatures, it keeps your body cool, and in cool temperatures, it retains the body heat and keeps you warm
- Hypoallergenic: Apart from being popular for its healing properties, linen is also hypoallergenic. People who have sensitive skin, who are more prone to skin allergies, prefer wearing linen because of these properties.
Varieties of linen dresses:
Being the soft and flowy fabric, as it is, linen can be used in any kind of dress style that you want. Linen dresses drape well with the body giving a figure appealing tendency. It can be used in the following dress styles according to Pakistani culture and clientele:
Frocks
Frocks get a better fall and lighter weight with linen. Frocks usually need a huge volume of fabric to give the desired flair, linen being light in weight doesn’t make it heavier with the additional volume.
Gowns
This figure-hugging and drapey fabric is perfect for gowns. Day gowns are better with linen as it cools down the body even when it is sunny. And for nightgowns, it retains the body heat, thus it is useful for both, day and night use.
Tunics
Soft and breezy linen is perfect for making tunics in summers.
Shirts
Simple straight shirts, or formal dress shirts, both are complemented by the smooth texture of linen fabric.
Skirts
Long and billowy skirts, with a lightweight material, that doesn’t stick to the body is all a woman needs. It has won over georgettes and chiffons because it doesn’t stick to the body
Shalwar kameez
Simple shalwar kameez is the basic and most cultural dressing of Pakistani women. Comfortably stitched shalwar kameez at home, doing house chores is such a plus along with pops of colors and aesthetically pleasing prints, to lift one’s spirits.
Abayas
Abaya is a very common part of Pakistani, more as a religious aspect of our culture. As they are worn over actual clothing in every weather, Abayas need to be temperature adaptable the most. Abayas should be lightweight and insulating from summers and wither. Thus, the fabric is nice to be used as abayas.
Nightwear
Sleeping in cloud-soft linen PJs is like a dream. Catchy colorful and cute prints for nightwear along with its insulation properties while sleeping come in handy
Lingerie
Because of its figure-hugging attributes, it can give seductive vibes thus it is being used in lingerie for a long time now. It also dries out quickly so sweat is not a problem, which makes for a decent attribute.
Trends in the Local market:
Women know how to use anything to its maximum potential to get the most benefits out of it. Linen thus serves as the best and most used dressing material, nowadays. Also, for it being easily wrinkled, technologies are being used to prevent that from happening. The production of linen is a comparatively elaborate process; thus, the prices are higher, and high-end brands like Nishat linen behave like the biggest flag bearers or biggest sellers of linen in brands.
Apart from brands, some versions of linen are also sold by Pathans in local markets. That too in very reasonable charges. So it is not always the brands who are fashion centrals. Sometimes our local markets harbor more stylish and up-to-date options than brands. And the hassle of bargaining gives the experience an even more exciting feeling. And honestly, if you can get it cheaper, why run the race of brands? Why not promote the local businesses?