On our sweaters and coats, it's a formidable bulwark against the cold. Let's take a look at what our winters would be like without wool? It keeps us warm, and we're grateful...
WOOL.
LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT ITS ORIGIN AND MAINTENANCE
Wool is found in China, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Argentina and Iran, which are the main producing countries.
There are different types of wool, depending on the animal that provides it:
- Merino wool, from merino sheep.
- Cashmere wool comes from a goat that lives in the Kashmir region, between India, Pakistan and China.
- Angora wool is produced by a very long-haired rabbit of the same name.
- Mohair wool comes from a goat with very fine hair.
- Alpaca wool, named after a mammal from the Andes mountain range in South America, belonging to the same family as the llama.
WOOL AND ITS PROPERTIES
Wool keeps you warm. It is primarily used for its thermal insulation properties, providing excellent protection from the cold, thanks in particular to its ability to slow the passage of air. It regulates moisture transfer because it can accumulate a third of its weight in water vapor without any feeling of dampness for the wearer.
At Maison Standards, we use three types of wool: virgin, merino, and cashmere. We alternate and blend them.
VIRGIN WOOL
It comes from the first shearing of the sheep. It is sought after because it has many qualities. It is a 100% natural fiber that breathes. It retains heat while allowing perspiration to evaporate. It is also very comfortable to wear.
At Maison Standards we use virgin wool on certain models because it is (really) very warm.
The properties of virgin wool:
- Thermal regulator
- 100% natural
- Insulation
- Untreated, durable, biodegradable
- Environmentally friendly
The small disadvantages of virgin wool:
- Sometimes too hot
- It's a little scratchy!
MERINO WOOL
Merino wool is especially sought after for its fineness (expressed in microns) and its whiteness which is obtained thanks to a meticulous process of crossing the best sheep, a real work through the centuries, making sheep.
Contrary to popular belief, wool is not always white, but rather comes in a range of colors ranging from cream, gray, beige, brown, and black.
Today, 90% of merino wool comes from China and Australia.
Merino wool is warm but allows for finer knitting than virgin wool. Also because its fibers are finer than those of traditional wool, merino wool has the advantage of not being itchy and feels soft to the touch. On the downside, it is less resistant to the test of time and can become brittle more quickly. Because merino wool is rarer than traditional wool, it is also more expensive.
The properties of merino wool:
- Thermal regulator
- 100% natural
- Soft to the touch
- Untreated, durable, biodegradable
- Environmentally friendly
The small disadvantages of merino wool:
- More fragile
- More expensive
CASHMERE WOOL
Cashmere wool is an animal fiber, derived from the long, silky undercoat of cashmere goats.
This dark gray down is sheared or brushed off the goats' chests during the spring molt. It is then bleached naturally and dyed in various colors before being woven, washed, stitched together with invisible seams, and surrounded by a border that frames the designs.
There are different types of fibers:
- Raw. The fiber has not been processed; it comes directly from the animal.
- Processed. The fiber is cleaned of the finest hairs then washed, carded. It is ready to be transformed into yarn, for knitting or sewing.
- Virgin. The fiber is transformed into yarn, fabric, or clothing for the first time.
- Recycled. Fabric residues that have already been woven or felted; and which may have already been used.
Pure cashmere is obtained after removing dirt and coarse hair from the fiber. The average annual production per goat is 150 grams. The rarity and high price of cashmere are explained by the constraints related to goat breeding and their low yield. This is why this wool is often offered in different blends. Combining this wool with other fibers allows for very interesting effects such as lightness, softness, or warmth.
The properties of cashmere wool:
- Thermal regulator
- 100% natural
- Ultra silky to the touch
- Environmentally friendly
- Light
The small disadvantages of cashmere wool:
- More fragile
- More expensive
At Maison Standards, we choose 100% cashmere sweaters to guarantee the best possible quality. We also use cashmere alongside other fibers to bring quality to our pieces for softer and warmer garments.
