Everything About Merino Wool and Fashion

MERINO - YOU’RE MY WONDERWOOL

In case you hadn’t noticed: we’re big fans of merino! A type of wool with beautiful, practical, and smart properties that perfectly suit the spirit of the times. We’d love to tell you more about it—so here’s a quick rundown.

• Merino is stronger and more resilient than “regular” wool.
• You can simply wash merino in the washing machine.
• Merino keeps you cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
• Merino doesn’t itch.
• Merino is antibacterial.
• Merino is anti-static and stain-resistant.
• Merino is biodegradable, so it’s gentle on the environment.
• Merino wicks away moisture and keeps your body dry.

Did we mention that merino is also timelessly beautiful? In a nutshell: the properties of merino are mostly benefits. Merino: you’re my wonder wool!

ABOUT MERINO – WHAT IS MERINO

Merino is the wool from the Merino sheep. Berber tribes in Morocco exported the breed to Spain, where the sheep were cross-bred with other breeds to further perfect the wool. Merino was so popular in the Middle Ages that high-ranking guests were often given a merino sheep as a token of appreciation—an exclusive gift. Sheep farming has since largely shifted to Australia and New Zealand. The harvested wool is processed all over the world into yarn used to make household textiles—such as blankets—and clothing—like sweaters, cardigans, socks, underwear, and even sports and outdoor gear. Merino is a true multitasker. Fun fact: the merino sheep is a stubborn creature with a strong will of its own. Sheep Shrek managed to avoid being sheared for 6—six!—years and developed the look of a beige Angry Bird without a beak.

ABOUT MERINO—AS STRONG AS A HORSE SHEEP

Merino wool is strong. It’s thinner and lighter than most types of sheep’s hair—which is what wool actually is—and has a natural crimp. That means a knit or woven fabric made from merino has built-in elasticity, even without added Lycra. As a result, merino wears out less quickly than other types of wool—for example, on your elbows, even if you’d rather not grease them up. This also means it wrinkles less and retains its shape well: merino is naturally always in top form. And that’s without any sit-ups.

ABOUT MERINO—LET’S CLEAR UP A COMMON MYTH

You can simply wash merino in the washing machine. WTF? Really? Yes, really! But you do have to follow some rules: use the wool cycle at a maximum of 30°C, and use a specialised wool detergent (which leaves the natural oily lanolin layer—that keeps merino so supple—intact). Spin at a maximum of 600 rpm in a drum that’s as empty as possible to avoid excessive friction. That’s all, folks. Or wait, one more thing: don’t hang it out on a hanger—let it dry on a flat surface if you don’t want flapping empty bra cups on your shoulders. And now for the best part: Thanks to its antibacterial and dirt-repellent properties, merino does just fine without a wash. Hanging it out overnight in the fresh air solves most odour problems. Even if you’ve been cooking garlic shrimp in your merino sweater, you can still hop on the bus afterward without everyone in front of you getting up and nonchalantly strolling away. Which, in itself, might actually be a downside. Anyway, you get the idea.

ABOUT MERINO – DAMN HOT & SUPER COOL

Merino keeps you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Huh? Is that even possible? You bet it is! When you consider that merino sheep thrive best in the mountains, where temperature fluctuations are extreme, it’s clear that our brilliant Mother Nature must have pulled some magic tricks out of her hat to make this happen. Merino wool may be ultra-thin and light, but it’s also crimped. Many hairs clustered together—in the sheep’s fleece or in your favourite garment—create plenty of air pockets, which provide insulation. It traps coolness in the summer and warmth in the winter. Its moisture-regulating properties ensure that any perspiration is quickly and odourlessly wicked away. So even in the summer months, you can choose to wear a beautiful merino wool item—even if, unexpectedly, summer that year only arrives on the third weekend of June.

ABOUT MERINO – WHERE THERE’S A PILL…

Merino wool can pill—no getting around that—but it pills far less than other types of wool. Why? We have that to thank once again those extra-fine hairs/fibers, which also make merino softer, stronger, and more resilient than most types of wool. And if fuzz or pills do appear on your favorite merino item, it’s quick and easy to fix. Where there’s a pill, there’s a way—and that way is called the lint comb. Or, for brave souls with a steady hand: a disposable razor and reading glasses :-)

ABOUT MERINO – ORGANIC FACTS

Did you know that merino is biodegradable? No? You can see this one coming: merino is biodegradable. And for 100% at that. In a world where plastic soup is on the menu more often than chicken soup, that’s a huge plus. So if your favourite merino item has passed away beyond repair—purely hypothetically speaking, because we don’t understand how you’d even manage that—you can bury it with a clear conscience: it will be completely absorbed by the earth in about 6 months. Dust to dust.

ABOUT MERINO—EXPENSIVE AND/OR SUSTAINABLE?

Merino is expensive. But “expensive” is a relative term. Once you understand why merino comes with a higher price tag than other types of wool, it makes more sense. Care for some woolsplaining? First of all, merino grows very slowly, and can only be “harvested” twice a year. Meanwhile, the costs of shelter, care, and food for merino sheep continue for 12 months a year. Merino also has a finer texture than most types of wool—which is an advantage because it makes merino softer and less itchy—buuuut… that also means more fibers are needed per garment. Here’s the catch: $£€. Of course, there are cheaper merino items on the market, sourced from merino sheep that are bred and raised under poor conditions. First of all, that’s obviously not ethically acceptable, but it also affects the aesthetic quality. The very finest merino comes from sheep that roam freely and happily in the mountains and are cared for with love and attention. And that’s priceless. You can also judge whether merino is expensive based on its lifespan. A lovingly cared-for merino garment will last for years—on average, five times as long as clothing made from other types of wool. The more often you wear it, the lower the “cost per wear” becomes. That’s not an excuse to justify your purchase, but plain math. Plus: the more often you reach for your favourite merino garment, the less you’ll spend on chasing yet another fleeting trend item. Merino is an investment piece!

P.S.: Of course, we can’t look inside your wallet, but reality tells us that a 100% merino item doesn’t fit everyone’s budget. A blend with, say, cotton or viscose also looks great and offers the same feeling of luxury with a slightly more affordable price tag. Less money to spend? Go for a blêêênd ;-).