Linen shirts fold differently from cotton shirts and respond differently to being stored folded versus hung. Understanding the correct method prevents the sharp crease lines that take the longest to relax and maintains the garment's condition between wears.

For storage at home. Hanging is preferable to folding for long-term linen storage — a linen shirt hung in a breathable wardrobe does not develop the permanent crease lines that result from being folded and stacked. If hanging space is limited, fold loosely rather than tightly. The sharper the fold, the more defined the crease line. A loosely folded linen shirt placed flat will have fewer crease lines than one tightly folded and stacked under pressure.

For travel packing. Rolling is generally preferred over folding for linen in a suitcase. A linen shirt rolled tightly from the collar down has fewer and less defined crease lines than one folded. The result upon unpacking is a shirt that relaxes to a wearable state within thirty minutes of being on the body, or within an hour of being hung in the bathroom with some steam.

The method for rolling. Lay the shirt face down, fold the sleeves in toward the centre of the back, then roll from the tail upward toward the collar. A tightly rolled PP linen shirt takes up significantly less space than a folded one and arrives in better condition.

For reducing creases before wear. If the shirt has arrived creased from packing, hang it in a bathroom while showering — the steam relaxes the flax fibre and the creases fall out within twenty minutes without ironing. Or iron while slightly damp, as described in the care guide.

The important distinction: a linen shirt that has been worn and carries the natural texture and soft crease of wear is not damaged — it is breaking in correctly. The care and folding guidance above is primarily for preventing sharp storage fold lines rather than for maintaining a pressed appearance in use.

Linen Care Tips  ·  How to Store Linen  ·  Men's Linen Collection