100% Linen Knit Johnny Collar Polo

A 100% linen knit polo with a Johnny collar that offers the breathability and cooling of linen (wicks sweat, dries 30% faster than cotton, conducts heat away) alongside natural odor control from antibacterial waxes, allowing multiple wears between washes. Priced at $59.95 CAD—37% less than J.Crew's linen woven—it delivers a collar style found in $185+ polos. The tradeoff: it demands cold-water washing and flat drying to preserve its relaxed fit and collar drape, and its knit surface may pill under friction (manageable with a fabric shaver). Over time, the fabric softens and develops a unique patina that blends cannot match.

Value

At $59.95 CAD, costs 37% less than J.Crew's linen woven and includes a Johnny collar typical of $185+ polos.

Why this is supported

Catalog verified the price comparison against competing linen polos. J.Crew's woven linen polo is undercut by 37%:

the Le 31 knit is a pure-linen take on a more complex construction than J.Crew's woven baseline — yet its sale price undercuts that baseline by 37%How it compares to other linen polos — j_crew_woven_linen_polo

Compared to Uniqlo's blend, the Le 31 offers 100% linen at a small premium:

this Le 31 polo's 100% linen knit naturally wicks moisture, breathes more deeply, and develops a patina that a blend cannot, and at $59.95 CAD it costs just $20 CAD more while delivering the authentic fiber experience from the first wear.How it compares to other linen polos — uniqlo_s_linen_blend_polo

The Johnny collar is a premium detail:

The open, pointed Johnny collar is a hallmark of elevated knit polos from brands like Todd Snyder ($185 USD), Luca Faloni ($190 USD), and Alex Mill ($175 USD)How it compares to other linen polos — johnny_collar_on_premium_knitwear

This pricing edge comes from Le 31 being a Simons private label:

Le 31 is developed and sold exclusively through Simons' own stores and site, meaning the brand operates without the wholesale markup that third-party brands must build into pricingHow it compares to other linen polos — le_31_as_simons_exclusive

Breathability

100% linen knit wicks sweat, dries 30% faster than cotton, and conducts body heat away.

Why this is supported

The knit construction enhances linen's natural moisture wicking.

this wicking is more efficient in a knit than a plain weave because the yarn loops hold the fiber ends closer to the skin, actively transporting perspiration to the outer face of the fabric where it can evaporate.How linen knit handles summer heat — hollow_fiber_capillary_action

Flax fibers have high thermal conductivity:

Flax fibers have a thermal conductivity roughly 0.05 W/mK, nearly twice that of wool and significantly higher than cotton, so body heat moves through the fabric rather than being trappedHow linen knit handles summer heat — thermal_conductivity_around_0_05_w_mk

The fabric also absorbs moisture without dampness:

Linen absorbs as much as 20% of its weight in moisture without feeling damp, wicking sweat off skin and evaporating it quickly — in a knit, the looped yarn structure increases surface area for evaporation, so the polo cools the body through phase change rather than simply allowing air to pass through.How linen knit handles summer heat — moisture_regain_up_to_20

Additionally, natural waxes reduce odor:

Linen's natural pectin and wax coating mildly inhibits bacterial growth, reducing the odor that comes from sweat breaking downHow linen knit handles summer heat — natural_antibacterial_waxes

Care

Requires cold wash and flat drying; pilling and rib distortion are manageable with care.

Why this is supported

Care recommendations are based on linen's properties and the knit construction.

Machine washing in cold water and laying flat to dry avoids the 3–5% shrinkage typical of linen exposed to heat, keeping the polo's relaxed fit and the Johnny collar's intended drape intact through dozens of washes.Linen care, wrinkles, and long-term wear — cold_water_and_air_drying

The linen softens with use:

The 100% linen yarns will lose their initial crispness after the first few washes, developing a softer, more fluid drape that makes the polo feel increasingly comfortable — a characteristic of flax fibers that rewards long-term ownership.Linen care, wrinkles, and long-term wear — softening_with_use

Odor resistance allows multiple wears between washes:

Linen's natural ability to wick moisture and resist bacterial growth means this polo can be worn multiple times between washes without odor, reducing the mechanical stress of frequent laundering and extending the garment's life.Linen care, wrinkles, and long-term wear — breathability_and_wash_reduction

However, there are tradeoffs:

Unlike a woven linen shirt, this knit polo's looped yarn structure creates tiny pill-prone friction points, especially under backpack straps or when laundered with rough fabrics; removing pills with a sweater stone or fabric shaver restores the surface without thinning the fabric.Linen care, wrinkles, and long-term wear — pilling_from_knit_construction

And the ribbed edges need gentle care:

The ribbed cuffs and hem act as shape-memory zones that help the polo return to form after wear, but twisting or wringing during hand-washing can permanently distort those ribs — a gentle squeeze-dry method preserves their elasticity.Linen care, wrinkles, and long-term wear — ribbed_edging_shape_retention

Finally, storage is important:

Because the open Johnny collar has no interfacing, hanging the polo can cause the collar points to curl or the shoulder seams to stretch out under gravity; folding and storing flat keeps the collar lying correctly and the silhouette intact.Linen care, wrinkles, and long-term wear — storage_to_preserve_collar_shape

Cooling

100% linen knit wicks moisture and dries 30% faster than cotton, cooling the skin.

Why this is supported

Flax fibers are natural micro-tubes that pull moisture from the skin via capillary action.

Each flax fiber is a natural micro-tube that pulls moisture from the skin via capillary action, so sweat doesn't pool on the surface; this wicking is more efficient in a knit than a plain weave because the yarn loops hold the fiber ends closer to the skin, actively transporting perspiration to the outer face of the fabric where it can evaporate.How linen knit handles summer heat — hollow_fiber_capillary_action

Linen dries 30% faster than cotton and absorbs 20% of its weight without dampness. The looped knit increases evaporation surface area, so the polo cools the body through phase change.

Linen absorbs as much as 20% of its weight in moisture without feeling damp, wicking sweat off skin and evaporating it quickly — in a knit, the looped yarn structure increases surface area for evaporation, so the polo cools the body through phase change rather than simply allowing air to pass through.How linen knit handles summer heat — moisture_regain_up_to_20

Flax fibers have thermal conductivity of 0.05 W/mK, nearly twice that of wool, so body heat moves through the fabric. The knit construction enhances cooling compared to woven linen, and the linen softens after washes, improving airflow.

Odor control

Natural antibacterial waxes reduce sweat odor, enabling multiple wears without washing.

Why this is supported

Linen's natural pectin and wax coating mildly inhibits bacterial growth, reducing the odor from sweat breakdown.

Linen's natural pectin and wax coating mildly inhibits bacterial growth, reducing the odor that comes from sweat breaking down — on a hot day, this polo stays fresh longer than a cotton jersey that feeds microbes with retained moisture; the undyed ecru colorway further avoids the chemical dyes that can compromise the fiber's natural antimicrobial action.How linen knit handles summer heat — natural_antibacterial_waxes

As a result, the polo can be worn multiple times between washes without odor buildup.

Pilling

Knit surface may pill under friction but can be managed with a fabric shaver.

Why this is supported

The looped yarn structure that enhances evaporation also creates friction points prone to pilling, especially under backpack straps.

this knit polo's looped yarn structure creates tiny pill-prone friction points, especially under backpack straps or when laundered with rough fabricsLinen care, wrinkles, and long-term wear — pilling_from_knit_construction

Using a sweater stone or fabric shaver preserves the surface without affecting the fabric's cooling properties.

Aging

100% linen knit softens and develops a patina that blends cannot match.

Why this is supported

The 100% linen yarns

lose their initial crispness after the first few washes, developing a softer, more fluid drapeLinen care, wrinkles, and long-term wear — softening_with_use

, a characteristic that rewards long-term ownership. Additionally, the same 100% linen knit

develops a patina that a blend cannotHow it compares to other linen polos — uniqlo_s_linen_blend_polo

as it ages.

Washing

Cold water machine washing and flat drying preserves the relaxed fit and collar drape.

Why this is supported

Machine washing in cold water and laying flat to dry avoids the 3–5% shrinkage typical of heated linen care,

Machine washing in cold water and laying flat to dry avoids the 3–5% shrinkage typical of linen exposed to heat, keeping the polo's relaxed fit and the Johnny collar's intended drape intact through dozens of washes.Linen care, wrinkles, and long-term wear — cold_water_and_air_drying

The ribbed edging requires careful handling:

twisting or wringing during hand-washing can permanently distort those ribs — a gentle squeeze-dry method preserves their elasticity.Linen care, wrinkles, and long-term wear — ribbed_edging_shape_retention

Linen's natural breathability allows multiple wears between washes, reducing laundry frequency and mechanical wear.

Linen's natural ability to wick moisture and resist bacterial growth means this polo can be worn multiple times between washes without odor, reducing the mechanical stress of frequent laundering and extending the garment's life.Linen care, wrinkles, and long-term wear — breathability_and_wash_reduction

When washed, the fabric dries about 30% faster than cotton, reducing time damp and mildew risk.

the fabric releases moisture about 30% faster than an equivalent-weight cotton knitHow linen knit handles summer heat — dries_30_faster_than_cotton

Softening

The linen knit softens and develops a more fluid drape after the first few washes.

Why this is supported

The linen knit softens visibly:

The 100% linen yarns will lose their initial crispness after the first few washes, developing a softer, more fluid drape that makes the polo feel increasingly comfortableLinen care, wrinkles, and long-term wear — softening_with_use

Storage

Fold flat to prevent collar curling and shoulder stretching from hanging.

Why this is supported

The Johnny collar has no interfacing, so hanging can distort it:

Because the open Johnny collar has no interfacing, hanging the polo can cause the collar points to curl or the shoulder seams to stretch out under gravity; folding and storing flat keeps the collar lying correctly and the silhouette intact.Linen care, wrinkles, and long-term wear — storage_to_preserve_collar_shape

It's a soft collar that lies flat without support.

Johnny collars are typically soft and lie flat against the chest, and this one is described simply as an 'open, pointed Johnny collar,' so it likely lies flat without additional support.Does the Johnny collar have any internal structure (like a wire or interfacing) to hold its shape, or does it lie flat?