Linen, Viscose, Wool: What the Composition Tag Actually Tells You

Linen, Viscose, Wool: What the Composition Tag Actually Tells You

We list fibre composition on every product page because it predicts how a garment will behave better than any adjective. Here is what the common ones mean in practice.

Linen

Made from flax. It is the most breathable fibre we sell and the coolest to wear in heat. It also creases — that is the nature of the fibre, not a fault. Linen softens noticeably after a few washes. Best for shirts and warm-weather suits.

Cotton

Predictable, durable and easy to wash. Heavier cotton holds structure; lighter cotton drapes. It wrinkles less than linen and breathes less than linen. Our shirts and most tees are built on it.

Viscose

Made from processed wood pulp. It drapes fluidly and feels smooth and cool against the skin, which is why it appears in our knit sets. It is weaker when wet, so it wants a gentle wash and flat drying rather than a tumble dryer.

Wool

Warm for its weight, naturally elastic and good at shedding creases overnight. Wool blends give you most of that with better durability and an easier wash. Our knitwear and colder-weather blazers lean on it.

Polyester and nylon in a blend

Rarely the point of a garment, usually the reason it keeps its shape. A small percentage adds resilience and reduces sagging at elbows and knees. A high percentage costs you breathability.

If a garment matters to you, read the composition first and the description second.