Wool is cool

November 30, 2022

We checked the weather forecast and it’s about to get cold! If there was a wool alarm, it would go off right now! If there’s one fabric that will keep you cozy and warm when it’s cold outside, it’s definitely wool. We are so excited about our knitwear collection, that we like to share some of our favorite wool facts with you. Time to clarify some of the mysteries around this fabric so you can decide whether it’s for you. (Spoiler alert: it is.)

Here are the five most frequently asked questions about wool:

1. What’s the fuss about? Why is wool so cool?

Wool is like the cool kid in class: you notice them because they are so authentically themselves. Somehow we forgot about this great product, but it’s making a revolutionary comeback and for good reason. Here’s a short list of its superpowers:

1. Temperature regulation: it keeps you warm when it’s cold and keeps you cool when things get hot.

2. Breathable: in contrast to synthetic fibers, the fibers in wool allow air to flow making a garment highly breathable.

3. No smell: wool has natural anti-bacterial and odor-resistant qualities because bacteria don’t stick to its fibers. No more nasty smells during your Christmas dinner, or the day after.

4. Low flammability: wool hardly catches fire and it won’t stick to your skin like synthetics in case it does. So you can sit comfortably around that fireplace during these cozy days.

5. Soft to the skin: treated wool feels fantastic on your skin. It's soft and friendly, making you feel warm and comfortable. Afraid it will itch? Keep reading!

2. What do I do if the wool itches?

Give it time! Although wool often has the image of itching, in most cases it does not. Still, your skin may need some time to get used to the material. So don't stress if the first time you put on a sweater you think: help, it itches! Give your skin a few hours or days to get used to it. Even if you wore a wool sweater last season without any trouble, your skin might have to get used to it again this season. The more often you wear an item, the softer the wool becomes and the more comfortable it wears.

3. How sustainable is wool anyway?

This is a very important and complex question. There’s no doubt that a lot of wool used for clothing is related to animal cruelty and damage to the planet. Of course, this is totally out of line with our values. Therefore we only work with yarn producers who can show us their entire process, like Be.Mi.Va. We request quality certifications and traceability of all the steps of all our producers so we can guarantee you animal-friendly and sustainable woolen garments.

4. Why is it so expensive?

Let’s start off by saying that most clothes are way too cheap. And cheap ain’t not our style! High-quality sustainable clothing made by a lot of hands deserves a fair price. That being said, we understand the question. When it comes to wool, next to the fair price, it’s also a matter of production. Wool is slow fashion at its best because it takes time to grow. You can only shave a sheep once or twice a year and meanwhile, they need good food, a comfy home and good caretaking. Just like you. And that’s what you pay for: a beautiful product created with love and responsibility. And the more often you wear it, the lower the price overall. And: we could argue that your woolen garment makes you money because it's so warm that you can turn down your heater!

5. How do I take care of my woolen items?

Wool has gotten a bad rep for being demanding in terms of maintenance, but we dare to state the opposite. Due to its inherent qualities, wool pretty much looks after itself. Here are a few tips to support it in the process:

a. Wash infrequently and air out often. Wool has natural anti-bacterial and odor-resistant properties which make washing largely unnecessary. Hang it in the bathroom for some steaming while you shower every once in a while.

b. Found a stain on your garment? Treat it using the right solution for the specific stain and you’re done! (Works for a lot of other fabrics too!)

c. If you do want to wash it, follow the washing instructions for wool even if the wool percentage is small. Only wash with laundry detergents that are free of enzymes (labeled 'delicate' or 'suitable for wool and silk') and wash by hand or use a wool cycle program. Let it dry lying down and give the garment a delicate stretch to get the fibers back to their original shape.

d. Let your garment air out after wearing before you store them away (perfect excuse for your ‘chairobe’). Once you store them, fold them loosely (don’t hang them!) and they will be like new once you get them out.

e. Pill your new garment. It’s normal for an item to pill at first, because the shorter fibers will pop up once you wear it. It’s totally normal and temporary. Carefully remove them by hand or by using a pilling comb.

Did we get you all excited about adding some wool to your wardrobe? Go check out our knitwear collection and amp up that cozy, comfy feel to keep you warm and classy during the colder days.

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