Jute vs Linen: Which Should You Choose?

Jute and linen are cousins. Both are bast fibres, stripped from the stem of a plant, and both are soaked, combed and spun in a similar way. From far away they look alike: matte, bumpy, natural. Up close, they are different fabrics for different jobs. Here is jute vs linen (or linen vs jute), point by point. For jute on its own, see Jute Fabric: The Complete Guide.

Difference between jute and linen

• Linen is finer, softer and costs more. Jute is rougher, stronger when dry and much cheaper.
• Linen drapes softly. Jute holds a shape.
• Linen lasts longer in clothes. Jute lasts longer in bags and rugs.
• Linen is easy to wash. Jute needs gentle hand-washing.

Where jute and linen come from

Linen comes from the flax plant, which grows in cool places: northern Europe, Egypt and, in small amounts, India. Jute comes from the jute plant, which needs heat and water and grows almost entirely in the Ganga delta of West Bengal and Bangladesh. Flax fibre is shorter and finer; jute is longer and rougher.

Which is softer, jute or linen?

Linen. It is soft enough to wear on its own from the first wash and gets softer every time. Pure jute is rough and stiff, so it is only worn as a blend with cotton, silk or linen.

Drape

Linen falls softly and moves with you. Jute holds its shape and stands away from the body. That is bad in a saree but good in a jacket, a structured skirt or a bag.

Which is stronger, jute or linen?

Jute is stronger when dry, which is why it makes rope and sacks. Linen is stronger when wet; it is one of the few fibres that gets stronger in water. It survives hundreds of washes, getting softer instead of wearing out. So in clothes, linen lasts longer; in bags, rugs and upholstery, jute does.

Creasing

Both crease a lot. Linen creases are part of its look and soften as you wear it. Jute creases are sharp and stay until steamed.

Which is cooler, jute or linen?

Both breathe well. Linen pulls sweat away and dries faster; jute soaks up more. Both are summer fabrics, linen slightly more so.

Washing jute vs linen

Linen: machine-wash warm, tumble or line dry, iron damp. Jute: cold hand-wash, no wringing, dry flat in the shade, iron low on the back; jute-silk is dry-clean only. Linen is much easier to look after.

Price

Jute costs a fraction of linen. Flax gives a small harvest and needs skilled processing; jute gives a big harvest and is processed by hand in villages. A jute-cotton kurti costs about a third of a linen one.

Which is more eco-friendly?

Both are good. Flax and jute both grow on rain with little pesticide, and the whole plant is used. Jute grows faster and on land that floods; flax needs cool, dry summers. Linen's advantage is that clothes last longer; jute's is speed and price. Neither sheds microplastic.

Jute or linen: which to choose

• A summer shirt, trousers, a soft dress, bed sheets: linen.
• A textured saree, dupatta or kurti at a low price: jute-cotton or jute-silk.
• A jacket or koti with body: jute-linen, which gives you the best of both.
• Bags, rugs, curtains, upholstery: jute.
• Anything you wash every week: linen.

If you want the handloom look and can wash with care, jute gives it for less. If you want a fabric that gets better for ten years, linen is worth the price.