Merino wool is a natural fibre grown by Merino sheep who can be found grazing in New Zealand and Australia. Made from the finest grades of wool, it’s naturally thinner and softer than regular wool, making it beautifully soft and comfortable against the skin.
As this was our first knitwear collection, it was important to us that we got it right so we worked closely with our maker Orla (who the collection is named after) to achieve an even finer and softer feel . After lots of time and care we settled on 2 ply Merino wool. It is graded at 19.5 microns making it extra fine and the finer it gets, the more luxurious it feels.
The individual fibres in Merino wool can absorb up to 30% of their own weight in moisture, achieving a highly breathable material. This helps to regulate the body temperature, keeping you warm in winter and cool in summer so you feel dry and comfortable regardless of the weather.
Due to the soft, fine fibres of Merino wool, it has a strong natural elasticity to it which enhances its high-performance qualities, bringing together comfort, performance and style in perfect harmony.
Taylor Yates likes to encourage everyone to be kinder to the planet in as many ways as possible and so wishes for their customers to adopt the ‘wear and air’ method. Not only is washing your knitwear less better for the planet but it also keeps it beautifully soft. The natural anti-microbial properties of Merino wool makes our knitwear collection odour-resistant which is another reason our knitwear doesn’t need to be washed as often as others.
The Merino wool we use is sourced through the RWS, the Responsible Wool Standard. This is a “voluntary standard that addresses the welfare of sheep and the land they graze on” which is so important to us and aligns with our values and morals beautifully.
It is also ‘Made in Green by OEKO-TEX®’
“The Made in Green label verifies that an article has been tested for harmful substances. It also guarantees that the textile product has been manufactured using sustainable processes under socially responsible working conditions.”
Not only is our Merino wool sourced in a sustainable manner but it is also biodegradable. Merino sheep produce a new fleece each year, making the wool a renewable fibre and therefore decomposes naturally in the soil and is environmentally friendly.
After much research and consideration, we came to the decision that Merino wool was the best option for us. Our vision for our first knitwear collection was for it to be soft, longevity and sustainable just like our bags and we knew that Merino would provide us with these results.
We want everyone to start thinking more sustainably and responsibly and fashion is something that should be taken more seriously. Why not browse The Orla Collection and begin to shop with sustainability in mind?
Choose well, buy less and wear more.
