As the snow disappears, the requests begin in our downtown Collingwood women’s clothing store: everyone it seems, is looking for the perfect pair of linen pants. Nothing brings more promise of change than the unveiling of your seasonal wardrobe and the savvy among us know that linen is a summer must have.

Ah, linen. It conjures up romantic notions of remaining crisp, cool, and chic on even the sultriest of summer days, sweating a glass of G&T in hand while you lounge on the front porch wicker settee. Naturally, linen clothing is perfect for summer: it is lightweight, breathable, and moisture-wicking. It is also thermo-regulating: while cotton or wool might make you feel warmer initially, eventually you will feel clammy while linen will not. 

It is estimated that the breathability of linen is five times higher than wool and eighteen times higher than silk. This premium air flow prevents a moisture rich bacteria and microbe breeding ground, adding hypoallergenic to its list of benefits.  As well as being durable, linen is also recyclable and biodegradable making it an eco-friendly choice too. With all of that to its credit, who doesn’t want a new pair of linen pants?!

Although we carry several linen lines at Coriander Style, our hands down favourite is a line called Cut Loose from San Francisco, California. Known for its comfortable fabrics, flattering fit, and great colours, the Cut Loose shapes are simple so they can be combined for an easy sophisticated look. The fashion house started in the late ’70s with T-shirts and drawstring pants that were salt dyed in funky, fun colours in a Victorian clawfoot tub and sold on Fisherman’s Wharf. Since there were no changing rooms, the clothes were literally ‘cut loose’ to ensure fit.

Almost 30 years later, that clawfoot tub has since been replaced with customized machines and small computerized dye vats. Cut Loose expanded from T-shirt material to other fabrics that can handle their dyeing process, including cotton knits, linen, rayon (from wood cellulose), Tencel (from cotton linter) and various blends of other natural fibres. The dye bath is 200º F (just below boiling), and the company truly believes “If a garment can get through our dye process, it can get through your life.”

As one of our more eco-responsible and sustainably conscious brands, Cut Loose keeps a light environmental footprint: their dyes are non-toxic and waste water is neutralized so the dye process salt doesn’t corrode the city’s pipes. Garments are shipped hanger and plastic bags free, using recycled packaging materials. Even their labelling is minimalist to be green.