Here at Neem London, the planet is one of our main focuses. We believe that dressing well, in high-quality clothing should not cost the earth, and we are all about making more sustainable and eco-conscious choices where it counts. In this article, we will be shining a light on everything you need to know about one of the most sustainable, raw materials out there, Merino wool.
The History Of Merino Wool.
Merino is a breed of sheep rather than a process. The breed was developed in Spain, where its wool was guarded so jealously that exporting a live merino was, for a time, punishable by death. Spain eventually loosened its grip in the eighteenth century, flocks travelled, and the breed found the climate it was made for at the other end of the world.
Merino sheep are originally from the North African plateaus of the Atlas Mountains, They got their name from the Berber tribe of Ber-Merines, who moved to Spain in the 12th century, bringing with them the ancestors of the Merinos.
Bred for their fine silken wool, Merinos were so valued that they were only allowed to be owned by the Royal family, or given to favourites as regal gifts. If Merino sheep were bred without the Crown’s approval, it was punishable by death.
In 1797, the first sheep from the famed Royal Merino Flocks of Spain were introduced into Australia. Further selective breeding by Australian farmers soon produced even finer wool before eventually travelling to New Zealand, where careful breeding further evolved the fineness and the performance of the fibre.
Is Wool Too Hot To Wear In Summer?
Merino is a technical fibre, able to react to changes in your body temperature and the environment – insulating you in the cold, and managing heat and moisture when you are hot. We call this thermo-regulation.
Unlike many synthetic fabrics, ZQ Merino is able to absorb and release moisture when needed. This is achieved by the merino fibre’s capacity to absorb up to 35% of its own weight in moisture
before beginning to feel wet. This certainly helps when it comes to getting up a sweat! Merino can release this moisture, giving you a comfortable and balanced next-to-skin microclimate. Important for when you’re faced with that next big meeting…
Wearing a ZQ Merino garment next to your skin gives a wonderfully soft and comfortable tactile experience. It keeps you warm and cool – perfect thermoregulation. In addition, scientific studies have shown that wool generates less odour compared to other fibre types. Often all it takes is a little airing before your garment is ready to wear again. This means your garment doesn’t require as
much washing and you and your garment stay fresher for longer. The technical
complexity of the fibre contributes to Merino’s odour-beating performance.
Wool And The Overflow Of Fashion Waste
An astonishing 150 billion new clothing items are being made annually, most from synthetic materials that won’t biodegrade. Microfibres are found in synthetic garments. According to a recent study with outdoor retailer Patagonia and the University of California, just one item can shed thousands of these tiny synthetic microfibres during laundering. These microplastics enter our waterways, pollute our oceans, get eaten by fish then end up in our bodies via the food chain.
Products and clothing made from natural fibres and materials, like wool, biodegrade easily and pose no threat to aquatic life.
Merino Wool Is Resistant to Body Odour
Did you know that Merino wool is resistant to body odour?
ZQ Merino doesn’t have a lasting attachment to odour – often, all it takes is a little airing before your garment is ready to wear again - meaning it won’t need as much washing anyway! No issues when going from the office to that hot date, when wearing a ZQ Merino shirt!
Exploring Further: Wool vs Merino Wool
While Merino wool stands out for its exceptional qualities such as softness, breathability, and thermo-regulation, it’s essential to understand how it compares to regular wool. Merino Wool Fabric, derived from Merino sheep, is renowned for its finer fibers and versatility, making it a preferred choice for a variety of clothing items, including our innovative Merino Wool T-Shirt.
Discover the Differences: Wool vs Merino Wool
Dive deeper into the distinctions between wool and Merino wool and explore which one aligns best with your preferences and lifestyle needs. Learn about the sustainability, comfort, and care of each to make informed and eco-conscious wardrobe choices.
Shop Our Merino Wool T-Shirt Collection
Experience the unparalleled comfort and sustainability of our Merino Wool T-Shirt, crafted meticulously for the eco-conscious man. Explore the range and elevate your style with our sustainable and stylish essentials.
The Beauty of ZQ Merino Wool
Beyond the comparison between wool and Merino wool, it’s essential to explore the unique qualities of ZQ Merino Wool. Neem London collaborates with ZQ Merino to offer products with the lowest environmental impact, ensuring humane treatment of sheep and sustainable production methods.
The Importance of Traceable Wool
Understanding the distinctions between wool and Merino wool is crucial, but so is knowing the origin of your wool. What is Traceable Wool? delves into the significance of traceable Merino wool, emphasizing the ethical treatment of sheep and sustainable methods of production.
Explore More: The Innovation of Recycled Fabrics at Neem
At Neem London, we are dedicated to pioneering sustainable and innovative solutions in fashion. Mill and Fibres at Neem provides an in-depth look at our commitment to creating cleaner and low-emitting menswear with recycled fabrics.
Looking after 100% merino wool
The reputation for being delicate is largely undeserved, and mostly comes from people treating merino like the coarse wool jumper it is not.
Wash it cool, on a wool or delicate cycle, with a detergent that does not contain enzymes or bleach. Dry it flat, away from a radiator. Never tumble dry it, because heat and agitation together are what cause wool to felt and shrink.
The more useful piece of advice is to wash it less. Merino recovers overnight if you hang it up. Airing a merino t-shirt does most of what washing a cotton one does, which is better for the garment and better for everything else.
Frequently asked questions
What is merino wool?
Merino wool is the fleece of the merino sheep, a breed producing far finer fibre than ordinary wool. Where coarse wool sits above 30 microns in diameter, merino typically runs between 15 and 24, which is fine enough to wear directly against the skin without prickle.
Where does merino wool come from?
The breed originated in Spain. Most merino wool today is grown in Australia and New Zealand. Our fibre comes from ZQ-certified New Zealand growers, which means it can be traced back to the farm it was shorn on.
Is merino wool warm?
Yes, and it is also cool. The natural crimp in the fibre traps air, which insulates, while allowing moisture vapour to move away from the skin. The result is a fabric that regulates rather than simply warms, so the same garment works across a wider range of temperatures than cotton.
Does merino wool itch?
Fine merino does not. Prickle is caused by fibres stiff enough to resist bending against the skin, which happens above roughly 30 microns. Super 120s merino sits at around 18.5, well below that point. If wool has itched you in the past, it was almost certainly a coarser grade.
What does 100% merino wool mean?
It means the fabric contains no other fibre. Many garments sold as merino are blends, often with nylon or polyester added for strength or cost. Check the composition label, because the difference in how the garment behaves is considerable.
Is merino wool better than cotton?
For a t-shirt you intend to wear hard, yes. Merino regulates temperature, moves moisture as vapour rather than holding it, resists odour, and creases less. Cotton is cheaper and easier to replace, which is rather the point of the comparison.
Can you wear merino wool in summer?
It is one of the best things you can wear in summer. Because the fibre moves moisture away from the skin as vapour, a fine merino t-shirt stays drier and fresher through a hot day than cotton does.
How long does a merino wool t-shirt last?
Years, if you wash it cool and dry it flat. Merino has natural elasticity, so it recovers its shape rather than stretching out, and the odour resistance means it needs washing far less often than cotton. Fewer wash cycles is the single biggest factor in how long any garment survives.