This spring, flocks of sheep on sustainable farms in New Zealand are coming in from verdant green fields and giving up their winter coats. Their sheared wool is destined to become one of the coolest textiles you can wear.
Wool is a masterpiece of nature. It’s a renewable resource since sheep can be sheared annually, as well as being biodegradable and far easier on the eco-system to produce. Wool-bearing sheep can graze freely and be raised organically, and organic wool does not need to be chemically treated in any way.
SmartWool is truly a smart company for capitalizing on this sustainable resource. Not only that, it’s one of those companies that you can feel good about throwing your ducats at. SmartWool has created long-term relationships with the New Zealand farmers they source their wool from, allowing these small farms to thrive while raising free-range, hormone-free happy sheep! (SmartWool also funds their own community development charity and is a proponent for all things wooly and sustainable – check out their Woolology pages for much more info)
Two SmartWool items recently came into my life, and its changed the way I feel about wool. Actually, it’s changed the way I feel in wool. Enter the Smartwool Women’s Next To Skin Microweight Cami
The microweight pieces are part of SmartWool’s baselayer line, and they are both made with 100% heavenly Merino wool. I’ve
had both the microweight crew and cami in heavy rotation in my wardrobe of late. Here’s what I am loving about them:
The Merino wool is like magic. Not only is super soft next to my skin (not itchy, like all my heavy wool sweaters) but it has amazing wicking and odor control powers. Seriously. I’ve put it through the paces on some active, sweaty days and have been thoroughly impressed by its grossness-blocking powers. And after several washes, they have not shrunk at all and still look new. This is some kick-ass fabric!
They actually look quite cute! The cut is very flattering for a performance-oriented piece. I’m used to baselayers being sort of “sporty” and not very pretty. The SmartWool microweight tops are a nice, classic cut that doesn’t scream “trail running”. I love that the length is just a little on the long side, hitting the perfect spot on my hips. Oh, and the colors they came in – an awesome teal blue and classic white – were refreshingly not day-glow pink or orange, which seems to be the outdoor industry’s favorite colors for gals.
The pieces are adaptable and versatile. When I’m wearing the SmartWool microweight tops and am not active, I feel nice and cozy, but as soon as I do work up a sweat, it keeps me surprisingly cool! I learned this is because wool has a natural tendency towards low heat retention. So these lightweight pieces can really deal with a large range of conditions, which I love, and are just as appropriate as stand-alone pieces as they are in layering.
Of the two I have, the microweight crew is my stand-out favorite. I can’t find a bone to pick with it – it’s become an instant classic in my wardrobe. The cami is cool, but for my body type the straps are just a bit too far apart. Also it had a tendency to ride up on me, though this may be attributed to the winter’s-end quasi-muffin top I’ve been sporting. But all in all they are both winners, and have turned me into a dyed-in-wool fan. Geeky pun fully intended.
Happy Sheep Photo: lucy.loomis