Wool is one of the oldest and most versatile textile fibres and our ancestors wore wool to keep warm and insulated. The earliest wool clothing found dates to around 4000-3000 BCE. Wool is not only a natural and renewable fibre, but also has many beneficial properties. It’s inherent breathability, which allows air to circulate freely, enabling moisture management and heat dissipation. It’s amazing structure of the fibres, feature tiny, microscopic overlapping scales that create small gaps between them which I’ve shown previously in my videos when carding my wool. These tiny little gaps facilitate airflow and allow moisture vapor to escape, preventing the build up of heat and sweat next to your skin. Wool has a remarkable ability to absorb moisture while still feeling dry to the touch. The structure of wool fibres enables them to absorb up to 30% of their weight in moisture without feeling damp. When you perspire, wool fibres draw moisture away from your skin and into the core of the fibre. This process, known as moisture-wicking, helps to regulate your body temperature by keeping your skin dry and preventing the discomfort caused by excessive sweat accumulation however, Wool also acts as a natural insulator, temperature regulating in both warm and cold conditions. When it’s hot outside, wool fibres trap and release heat energy to maintain a comfortable temperature. The crimped structure of wool fibres creates air pockets, which act as insulation against external heat. These air pockets prevent direct contact between the fabric and your skin, allowing air to circulate and facilitating heat transfer away from your body and wool provides a natural defence against UV radiation. The densely packed structure of wool fibres absorbs UV rays and prevents them from reaching your skin, unlike some synthetic fabrics that require additional chemical treatments for UV protection. Keeping cool is not just about managing temperature; it also involves minimizing odour-causing bacteria. Unlike synthetic fabrics that tend to develop unpleasant odours due to bacterial growth, wool possesses natural antimicrobial properties meaning it’s incredibly easy to look after as it’s odour resistant, meaning you don’t have to wash it as often as synthetic materials but more on this in our ‘How to care for my wool garment’ section. The structure of wool fibres absorbs and locks away odour molecules, preventing them from becoming trapped in the fabric. This built-in odour resistance ensures you stay fresh and comfortable, even during prolonged periods of wear in hot conditions.

So, you see wool is suitable all year round and if looked after, will serve you a lifetime.