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6 Women's Linen Brands You MUST Stop Buying in 2026 (And 3 You Can Actually Trust)

Her Style Audit

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I ranked 85 clothing brands from worst to best, including every linen brand in this video. Some of them scored a lot lower than you would expect: https://herstyleaudit-guides.lovable.app

Six of the most popular women's linen brands are quietly cutting corners on fabric quality while keeping prices the same or higher. Three of them are now owned by the same private equity company, and most women have no idea.

What is the oldest linen piece still in your closet? Let us know the brand in the comments.

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20 Comments

@herstyleaudit Creator 2 months ago Pinned

What is the oldest linen piece still in your closet and what brand made it? Let us know below ⤵

I recently bought a linen top from J.Jill and when I held it up next to one I bought from them in 2012, I almost could not believe it was the same brand. The old one is still soft, still holds its color, still has clean seams. The new one felt thinner, the stitching was uneven, and the color already looked faded before I even washed it. That is what made me want to make this video. Has anyone else noticed this?

@olivebobo6885 2 months ago

Talbots has really gone down in quality, and not just the linen,

@BajaBookworm 2 months ago

Private equity is the death of retail. In fact, the death of quality in all things. The silver lining is that there is now a boom in women teaching themselves to sew what they cannot find in the stores. I can make a linen dress for less than $70 USD that retails for $150-350 USD.

@novembermiss 2 months ago

Private equity destroys everything it touches.

@rebeccachurch5200 2 months ago

I no longer shop at Talbots, Chicos or J Jill because the quality has gone done across the board on all their merchandise. And they charge more for the clothes than they ever have. All are rip offs in my opinion.

@Smallpups25 2 months ago

It seems like quality has declined dramatically. I really don't know where to shop for clothes anymore.

@NJ-Cathie 2 months ago

I am so glad you pointed out Talbots. Their quality has gone down dramatically. I have stopped shopping there except for their summer shorts.

@LindaCrammatte 2 months ago

My oldest linens are from 1900 to 1930. A great Aunt left them to me . A blouse , chemises, a petticoat and 2 linen sheets . The blouse has a french designer label . All are exquisitely beautiful . All have tiny close silky weaves . The hand is heaven . There are no modern linens - even from 40 years ago that come close . She was not a wealthy women just modestly /comfortably well off

@mindakahn9964 2 months ago

I have Eileen Fisher that I purchased at Jacobson’s easily 30 years ago. As a fashion merchandiser I can tell you that it has the same beautiful hand, repels wrinkles and looks as beautiful as it did on the day I purchased it. I have a linen blouse that I bought when my family owned stores in the late 70’s early 80’s from Liz Claiborne when it really was Liz Claiborne. It’s beautiful. I am never going to remove these pieces from my wardrobe.

@dianasandstrom5562 2 months ago

I used to buy Chicos and JJill several years ago, but in recent years the quality of clothes from these companies has really declined. So no more for me. 🙁

@nightcited1600 2 months ago

My oldest linen garment is 26 years old and is a white linen blouse from Eddie Bauer. I wear it every summer and it still is in good condition.

@susanajw 2 months ago (edited)

I have Eileen Fisher(EF) linen pieces that are at least 12 years old that I still wear. I have a pair of linen pants whose elastic stretched out. I took it back to the store and they are replacing the elastic for no charge. Their prices are high compared to other brands, but all my linen from EF has lasted way longer than any other brand of linen that I have in my closet and their styles are timeless. I just bought a new pair of EF linen pants today. I expect them to last a very long time.

@lilybean1000 2 months ago

My oldest linen tops are from LLBean from years ago.

@mysteriousu5528 2 months ago

You forgot to mention that Eileen Fisher is 45% or something like that is employees owned.

I have quite a few pieces of 100% Irish linen from Talbots and they are thick.

NYJones 100% Linen is good and thick unlike other see through linens.

@hopeann6904 2 months ago

I just went to the JJill site and what is being sold is a mid-hip shirt/top. NOT A BELLY BUTTON TOP!!!! They offer a tall if you have a longer torso. Not everyone over 50 years old wants to own only tunic shirts. The tunic style do not flatter every body type. Know your body type and spend your money on what fits and flatters you,

@MarshaNovak 2 months ago

Everlane recently purchased by SHEIN and that makes me pause though I have some of their pieces I love

@tarakennedy3041 2 months ago

My daughter always ask for Quince for years. Finally I said I deserve Quince too! Bought my 1st pair of pants and love them!

@uptownsunni3560 2 months ago

I love Eileen Fisher linen shirts. The fabric is amazing, but it’s the finishing that makes such a difference. The cuts are also ample. The collar, the button holes and the cuffs are all well stitched. I have and Everlane linen dress that I love and a few Quince linen pieces. The oldest linen in my closet is actually from L.L. Bean. I don’t think they do linen anymore. That was a sleeveless button-down tunic. I could happily wear it all summer and probably did for 10 to 15 years. I wore that button down so much the fabric got really soft, then nearly transparent, then it faded away to nothing. Worth every penny.!