Linen Collection Samue

Description

We love wearing our Linen Collection Samue. They look great, are soft to the touch, and are strong enough to last a long time.

Linen is a sustainable fabric made from flax fibers that has been used for 6000 years. Stronger than cotton, it holds its color longer than most natural materials.

We use 5.5 oz European linen, dyed and finished in the USA. Our Linen Samue are preshrunk to maximum 5% shrinkage,  and can be dry cleaned or machine washed and line or tumble dried.  Shrinkage will be least with dry cleaning, and most with tumble drying.

Samue (or Samu-e or Samu-gi) is traditionally the work jacket for a Buddhist monk or nun in Japan, and it looks great on anyone. Wear it to the meditation hall, the dojo, around town or working in the garden. The fit is quite roomy. Whether working, meditating, or relaxing, we think you’ll love doing it in any of our Samue collections.

For more info about how to choose a samue, you may find this blog post helpful.

“Samu” means “work practice” in a Zen community – these are the garment of choice for Japanese monks and nuns when they are not sitting in meditation doing the work of the day. That said, we think they look and feel great in the meditation hall. And whatever your line of work happens to be, we think you’ll love doing it in these jackets and pants.

Linen Collection Samue Sizing Information

OUR SAMUE RUN LARGE

• X-Small Height 4′ 10″ to 5′ 4″ | Waist up to 32″
• Small: Height 5′ 2″  to 5′ 7″ | Waist up to 36″
• Medium: Height 5′ 5″ to 5′ 10″ | Waist up to 38″
• Large: Height 5′ 9″ to 6′ 1″ | Waist up to 42″
• X-Large: Height 6′  to 6′ 8″ | Waist up to 46″

Linen Collection Samue — FAQ

1. What makes linen a good choice for meditation clothing? Linen is lightweight, highly breathable, and softens with each wash without losing its structure. It’s especially comfortable for longer sits or warm-weather practice, and has a natural, understated look that suits both the meditation hall and everyday wear.

2. Is the linen sustainably sourced? Yes. We use 5.5 oz European linen made from flax — a crop that requires less water than cotton and no pesticides. The fabric is dyed and finished in the USA, and each garment is sewn in our own workshop in the Pacific Northwest.

3. Is linen durable enough for work practice? Linen is stronger than cotton fiber-for-fiber, and our samue are well-constructed with quality stitching. That said, linen is not our most rugged option — it’s better suited to meditation, light daily wear, and moderate activity than to heavy outdoor work or intensive samu. For demanding work practice, our Medium Weight or Indigo Denim samue will hold up better over time.

4. Will it shrink after washing? Our linen samue are preshrunk to a maximum of 5% shrinkage. Shrinkage is least with dry cleaning and most with tumble drying. Machine washing and line drying gives you the best balance of care and longevity.

5. Does linen feel rough against the skin? Linen has a natural slub texture that can feel slightly crisp at first, but softens noticeably with wear and washing. Several customers describe it becoming almost sleepwear-soft after a few weeks of regular use.

6. What seasons is it best suited for? Ideal for spring and summer, or year-round in warmer climates. Customers in humid regions particularly value it for practice. For cooler months, our Medium Weight or Indigo Denim samue are better choices.

7. How does sizing run? Like all our samue, the linen collection runs large. Some customers, especially those on the petite end, find even the XS roomy. Check our size chart before ordering.