A wool dress is a great way to stay warm without sacrificing style. These cozy pieces are made from all-natural fibers and feature classic silhouettes that will stand the test of time. The best part is that you can easily create an outfit with them that will last several seasons!
What is Wool?
Wool is a type of fabric that is typically derived from the hairs of animals like sheep. Unlike cotton, which is made from plant cellulose, wool consists of a mixture of protein and fat. This makes it a much more durable and thermally insulating textile than its rival, cotton. In addition, wool is extremely flame-resistant. When it’s woven into garments, it has a natural waviness that makes it ideal for insulating against the cold.
Whether you’re looking for a simple long-sleeved wool dress to wear on a trip or a layered sweater dress, you’ll find that these styles have all the essential details. The fit is loose and relaxed so you can move freely while still feeling secure. This Smartwool Everyday Exploration dress is a great example of this with a crew neck, a-line shape, and above the knee length.
Another option is the Icebreaker merino wool tunic dress, which is described as super soft and would be adorable with ankle boots or even knee-high boots. It’s a perfect dress for layering up with cardigans, jackets, or turtlenecks and it also works well on its own, too!
Wool is one of the world’s most popular textiles, and for good reason: it offers a wide range of benefits that other fabrics simply cannot. For instance, it’s a durable and thermally insulating fabric that keeps you warm. It also reduces flammability, so it’s perfect for applications that involve reducing the risk of fires.
The earliest evidence of woolen garments dates back to around 4000 BC, but it was only after the domestication of sheep that wool was a common textile in European culture. Before that, people wore a variety of different types of animal hairs, including feathers and fur, to make clothing and other textiles.
Depending on the type of hair that producers harvest, wool can be a very durable fabric and have strong thermally insulating properties. Some of the most popular types of wool are produced from animals like sheep, but other animal hairs can also be used for this purpose.
Unlike cotton, which is made from plant cellulose, wool consists of protein and fat. It also has a natural waviness that contributes to its insulative properties, making it especially suited for applications where it needs to trap air. While it’s generally more expensive than cotton, the cost is worth it because of the unique benefits that it offers. Plus, it’s environmentally friendly and doesn’t cause significant harm to the animals that produce it, so it’s often a more sustainable choice than cotton.