Let's Talk Linen
Linen is an effortlessly cool fabric to style - when it’s not full of wrinkles. Rachel Spillane shares tips for wrinkle-free linen as well as trending pieces for the summer.
Warmer weather is hopefully en route, which means we can finally ditch heavy denim in favour of lightweight, breezy linen. But what makes linen look more frazzled than fabulous? Wrinkles. Oh god, the wrinkles. We’ve all been there - a stressful morning, sweat rolling down your face as you take your new linen shirt out. Yes, the one you’ve told all your friends about. Except, instead of an elegant and crisp shirt - you pull out something that resembles wilted lettuce. Then, a mad dash to the iron ensues.
For some, it’s the stuff of nightmares. And don’t get us started on holiday linen after it’s been a suitcase for three days. The good news is that it’s mostly avoidable. Of course, we will never completely eradicate wrinkles, but we can manage them. So, to make the most out of your linen wardrobe this summer, here are some handy tips for combating wrinkles…
Steam is your BFF
A portable steamer is great for getting wrinkles out of linen, but if you don’t have one, the bathroom will do. Turn on the shower, close the window and let the bathroom fill with steam. Hang your linen on the back of the door and watch the wrinkles fall right out.
Use an iron
Try ironing your linen while it’s still a little damp. And make use of the steam function on your iron while you’re at it. It’s a great way of removing sharp creases.
Hail the hairdryer
If you’re in a rush, blast the linen with your hairdryer on a high setting. Keep moving the hairdryer back and forth to evenly distribute the hot air. This works great for bedsheets too.
Ice ice baby
Another way to remove wrinkles from linen quickly is by using a tumble dryer and some ice cubes. Throw two or three ice cubes into the dryer and turn it on high heat for 15 minutes. It won’t have that clean, crisp look you get from ironing, but it does the job.
M&S Collection Linen Blend Belted Midaxi Shirt Dress €67
& Other Stories Wide Midi Skirt Lime €49, visit stories.com
Paul Costelloe Studio Linen Belted Dress In Light Blue €60
Benetton Waisted Blazer In 100% Linen €89.95
Olivia Rubin Rainbow Linen Dress - 3-day rental €70, visit happy-days.ie
Mango Linen Shirty Dress €69.99
H&M+ Linen-Blend Shirt €27.99
Next Linen Blend Blazer €46
Gerry Weber Flared Linen Skirt €89.99
Reformation Naomi Linen Jumpsuit €248, visit thereformation.com
Zara Linen Shirt Pink €29.95
Dunnes White Linen Blend Trousers €8, visit thriftify.ie
Monsoon Large Linen Scale Cover-Up Teal €30
Stable of Ireland Summer Blue Irish Linen Trousers €280
Oasis Linen Mix Puff Sleeve Seamed Midi Dress €120