Should I Buy Cotton or Linen? Which Is Best for Summer, Easy Care, and Style?

When you’re shopping for clothes—especially in warmer weather—you’ll often be choosing between two classic natural fibres: cotton or linen.

Both are breathable, stylish, and timeless. But which is cooler in hot weather? Which is easier to wash and iron? And which one should you invest in for long-term wear?

In this guide, we compare cotton vs linen across five key categories: breathability, comfort, care, ironing, and longevity—plus how Tellar.co.uk helps you find your perfect fit in either fabric.

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Cotton vs Linen: Quick Overview

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1. Which Fabric Is Cooler in Hot Weather?

Winner: Linen

Linen is widely considered the coolest natural fabric for summer. It’s made from the flax plant, which has hollow fibres that allow more airflow. This means heat can escape easily and your body stays cooler.

Cotton is breathable too, especially lighter weaves like poplin or voile—but it holds on to more moisture, making it less effective at cooling than linen.

If you’re heading to a hot climate or just want to stay cool in summer, linen wins for breathability and dry comfort.

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2. Which Fabric Is Easier to Wash and Maintain?

Winner: Cotton

Cotton is a clear winner in this category. It’s:

• Machine washable

• Tolerant of hot water (most of the time)

• Resistant to shrinkage (when pre-shrunk)

• Easy to care for on a day-to-day basis

Linen, while durable, needs a little more attention:

• Best washed on a gentle cycle

• Can shrink in hot water if untreated

• Needs to be hung or laid flat to dry

If you want low-effort clothing, cotton is the easier fabric for everyday life.

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3. Which Is Easier to Iron?

Winner: Cotton

Linen is infamous for creasing—and it doesn’t pretend not to. Part of linen’s charm is its natural wrinkles, which give it a relaxed, effortless look. But if you prefer a crisp, clean finish, linen can be frustrating.

• Linen needs high heat + steam to press properly

• It wrinkles again easily once worn

Cotton, on the other hand:

• Irons well at medium to high temperatures

• Holds its pressed shape longer

• Is more forgiving if left folded or in a drawer

If you want sharp shirts, polished dresses or crisp trousers, cotton is much easier to manage.

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4. Which Fabric Lasts Longer?

Winner: Linen (slightly)

Both cotton and linen are strong natural fibres—but linen actually gets stronger when wet and softens beautifully with each wash. High-quality linen garments can last decades.

Cotton also performs well, especially heavyweight weaves or premium long-staple fibres like Pima or Egyptian cotton. These will hold up to frequent wear and tear better than lightweight cotton blends.

If you’re building a capsule wardrobe and want fabrics that won’t stretch out or fade quickly, either is a good investment, but linen edges ahead for long-term wear.

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5. How Do They Feel on the Body?

• Cotton feels soft, smooth, and slightly stretchy. It drapes closer to the body and is perfect for t-shirts, jeans, blouses and pyjamas.

• Linen feels crisp, breathable and structured. It’s more boxy and breezy, making it ideal for hot weather shirts, wide-leg trousers, and floaty summer dresses.

If you prefer a smooth feel against the skin, cotton is more comfortable. If you love a slightly rustic, textured look—linen feels more relaxed and luxurious.

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Where Do Brands Use Cotton vs Linen?

At Tellar.co.uk, we analyse 1,500+ brands by both fit and fabric. Here’s where you’ll usually find each fibre used best:

Cotton:

• Zara: Casual shirts, t-shirts, trousers

• White Stuff: Soft cotton jersey dresses, casual wear

• Massimo Dutti: Smart-casual cotton tailoring

• H&M: Everyday essentials in cotton basics

Linen:

• Reiss: Premium linen shirts and dresses

• Mango: Relaxed linen suits, holiday pieces

• COS: Minimalist linen tunics and wide-leg trousers

• & Other Stories: Elevated linen summerwear

💡 Want to know how these pieces fit your body shape?
Use www.tellar.co.uk/store-size-lookup/ to check.

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What Should You Buy?

Buy cotton if you want:

• Easy-care clothing that washes well

• A smooth, soft feel

• Low-maintenance daywear

• Classic pieces like t-shirts, shirts and smart-casual trousers

Buy linen if you want:

• Breathability for hot weather

• A lightweight, relaxed feel

• Longer-lasting investment wear

• Statement summer shirts, trousers and dresses

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Tellar.co.uk: Smarter Sizing, Smarter Fabric Choices

No matter which material you choose, fit is still everything.

At Tellar.co.uk, we help you:

✅ Enter your measurements or your known size in any brand
✅ Get instant size recommendations based on brand-specific charts
✅ Account for fabric type, fit, and stretch
✅ Shop 1,500+ brands with confidence

🔍 Check your perfect size in cotton or linen clothes here:
👉 www.tellar.co.uk/store-size-lookup/

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Final Verdict: Cotton vs Linen

Both fabrics are winners—you just need to know when and why to choose one over the other.

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Build Your Perfect Summer Wardrobe

✨ Create your free profile to get your fit in both cotton and linen styles
👉 www.tellar.co.uk/create-profile/

🧵 Browse size-matched clothing across premium brands
👉 www.tellar.co.uk/store-size-lookup/

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Follow us for summer styling tips:

• Instagram: @Tellarsizing

• Pinterest: TellarUK

• Facebook: TellarSizing

• Twitter (X): @Tellar100

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“Find your size in 1,500+ brands real-time. It’s free & easy”

Only at Tellar.co.uk