R.A.G. New York

Linen blazers were not always such a common sight about 30 years ago. Linen has made a progression from uses in textile to the fashion fabrics of today. In 1970’s linen was used primarily for sheets, home furnishings, industrial items, and loafers. Few considered making blazers out of linen. Only 5% of linen production went into apparel such as blazers.

In the 1990’s that number rose up to 70% when everyone went mad for all types of clothing in linen, including blazers.

Origin of the linen in blazers: The best linen in the world comes from Western Europe. Italy, Belgium, and Ireland are where the linen for good quality linen blazers should generally come from, although most production happens in China these days.

Production of the blazer linen: Linen is made out of flax, which must be hand-harvested, pulled from the stalk in order to produce very long fibers. Then seeds must be removed, fibers processed to finally form a yarn of linen.

The durability of linen: Linen wrappings were used in the tomb of Pharaoh Ramses II, who died in 1213 BC. They linen was in perfect condition.

Same goes for the linen covering another mummy, the daughter of a priest of Ammon, in the Belfast Library from 2,500 years ago. The linen was in a great state.

See men’s linen blazers from R.A.G. New York Clothing.