How to Care for Linen in an Indian Summer

Linen has a reputation for being fussy. It isn't. It just tells the truth — it wrinkles, it softens, it shows that you wore it. Once you stop fighting that, it becomes the easiest thing in your wardrobe to own. Here's how to keep it well in 40-degree heat.

Wash cold, wash gently

Cold water, mild detergent, gentle cycle. Hot water is the one thing linen genuinely dislikes — it can shrink the weave and dull the colour. Skip the fabric softener; linen softens on its own with every wash, and softener just coats the fibre and kills its breathability. Turn coloured pieces inside out to hold the shade.

Our washed pieces are already broken in for you. The Washed Linen Wrap Top comes in natural undyed linen with a soft washed finish — it arrives lived-in, so there's no stiff first-wear phase to get through.

Dry in the shade, never wring

Squeeze water out, don't twist. Wringing is what sets those hard creases you can't iron out later. Line-dry in shade — direct Indian sun will fade colour fast and bake stiffness into the fibre. Linen dries quickly anyway, which is half the reason it's the right fabric for this weather.

About the wrinkles

They're the point. Linen creases because it's a natural plant fibre with no synthetic spring-back, and that same structure is exactly what lets air move through it and keeps you cool. If you want it crisp, iron while slightly damp on a medium-hot setting. If you don't — and most days you won't — hang it in the bathroom while you shower and the steam relaxes the worst of it. A chanderi like the Moss Chanderi Popover barely creases at all, if you want a fabric that reads a little more pressed.

Storing it

Hang or fold flat — both are fine. Keep it dry; the only thing that actually damages linen in storage is damp, which invites mildew during the monsoon. A breathable cotton garment bag beats plastic, which traps moisture.

Cash on delivery available. Easy 7-day returns if the fit isn't right.

Frequently asked questions

Does linen shrink?
A little, on the first wash, if you use hot water. Wash cold and you'll barely notice. Our washed pieces are pre-washed, so they've already done most of their settling.

Can I machine wash it?
Yes — gentle cycle, cold water, mild detergent. No need to hand-wash unless you prefer to.

Will it last?
Linen is one of the longest-lasting fabrics you can buy. It gets softer and better for years, which is more than most cotton can say.