Lightweight Merino clothing - YouLookFab Forum

I keep seeing Facebook ads for Unbound Merino. Mr. M has been traveling in central and South America with a small group of older Spanish students. They travel light--carryon only. Several of them have praised the new lightweight merino clothing. So I checked out the page for Unbound Merino. Sounds too good to be true--comfortable in warm or chilly weather, doesn't smell, quick and easy to wash, easy to wipe off spills, doesn't wrinkle, always looks good.

He bought some long sleeved sweaters, but hasn't worn them much. He offered them to me.

I am allergic/sensitive to wool, including the traditional merino sweaters I used to buy at Banana Republic. I wear them with an underlay--lightweight silk or rayon, so only in cooler weather.

I'm going to try wearing one tomorrow without the layer underneath.

If any of you have tried these knits, I'd like to know your opinions. Do they live up to the claims? He bought two with a Tahari label--I've bought Tahari in the past, but not this kind of item.

https://unboundmerino.com

1 month ago

Runcarla

Veteran

I’m curious about this too! I run cold, and find wool sweaters better (warmer) than cotton knit ones. Luckily, I can wear wool next to my skin. I don’t know how this happens, but the wool doesn’t smell bad and sweaters can go longer between washing if hung to air. I haven’t expanded beyond conventional light weight virgin wool sweaters, though.

MsMaven

Thanks Carla. Interesting about the lightweight wool. I did try on the sweaters this evening, and yes, I'd have to wear another layer beneath, which doesn't make sense if you are trying to go lightweight. These are mens' sweaters, which can work for me, but these don't. I'm surprised at how snug the necklines are. The one I could wear would need a turtleneck underneath. I like the color and I do have a lightweight silk turtleneck.

I checked the Unbound website again and I didn't see anything for people who are sensitive to wool.

I do like the idea of wool that won't need to be washed often--especially for travel.

DebD

Active Member

I haven't posted here in ages, but saw your post and thought I might be of some help. I made my first Merino purchases six years for a trip to Ecuador (which ranges from tropical to downright chilly!) and found it so superior to traditional wool that I've been buying it for everyday cool weather wear ever since.

Yes, it's true - Merino wool is magic IF you stick to high-quality brands. The fibers are super-fine, tightly woven, and very soft. I have zero experience with Unbound Merino, but it looks promising. Most of my pieces are Smartwool, which I can recommend. They launder beautifully (delicate cycle, hang dry) and hold up well. They have new colors and patterns every year that can pass for regular sweaters or tops, and no annoying logo on the chest that screams gear. I also have an Icebreaker top in a light weight that I like. On the other hand, I once purchased a men's Merino 1/4 zip sweater from Macy's (Club Room brand, I think) that shrunk every time I laundered it, despite following the washing instructions carefully. It eventually ended up child-size and in the donation box!

Pay attention to the fiber content and weight of the garment. I buy only 100% Merino instead of blends, and generally go with 250 weight long-sleeve tops, which feel like thin sweater material and layer well under toppers for colder months in Pennsylvania. 200 weight or less feels more like a cotton t-shirt. So it depends on your use case.

Finally, I recommend considering how you'd like the garment to fit. Since many companies market their Merino lines as sports/outdoor/recreation wear, the recommended sizes tend to be form-fitting. So if you're planning to incorporate Merino articles into your daily wardrobe, you might want to go up a size.

Thank you so much DebD. So much I didn't know and need to learn about merino. I do know that some wools and cashmere pieces don't bother my skin, so I would like to check out the higher quality brands.

Jenni NZ

Hi Ms Maven. We have a lot of merino sheep in NZ, it is a particular breed. Icebreaker is a brand which uses NZ merino although the garments are not made here. My family has several Icebreaker garments all good quality. I have other brands and some of them have ZQ merino which you can look up, it follows right back to the farm where the wool comes from. All my merino knitwear lasts really well and doesn’t require much laundering, although I do not wear it next to my skin.

ellenh

My husband has some unbound merino items- tees and a hoodie- and really likes them. We have had good luck with merino items when traveling light. I have gotten some merino tops and leggings from Wool& and some lovely Eileen Fisher sweaters in the Nordstrom Anniversary sale and also second hand on Poshmark.

avicennia

Ms Maven —thanks for starting this thread. I’m looking for cashmere or merino base layers so this has been vey helpful.

Suz

(website)

I wear merino wool both for gear and fashion. I love it, but I am not overly sensitive to wool unless it is poor quality or prickly Shetland or something like that.

My gear items are all Icebreaker and Smart wool -- quarter zips, long underwear, t-shirts, etc. I love a merino hoodie but currently don't have one. I am planning to try the Unbound one for a Christmas gift for myself.

I also wear a merino tank as a layering item to keep me warmer. I wear merino socks daily in winter. And I have several "fashion" merino sweaters.

I did not buy any of this especially for travel, but I do use it for travel. You can see these items come from different brands -- all have worked just fine for me. But the quality does vary and you need to be picky about that. As DebD says, you need to consider how you want the item to fit, especially if purchasing from a gear focused brand.

Custom Find

by Suz

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Club Monaco

Signature Ribbed Mock Neck Sweater

Top Pick

Banana Republic

Nave Oversized Merino Sweater

Hudson's Bay

Lord & Taylor Classic Turtleneck Merino Wool Sweater

pil

This isn’t lightweight, but I wore it every day on a 10 day hiking trip in Spain. It was just enough for coolish mornings yet still dressy enough (for me) to wear with black slacks. We’re currently on a bit of a road trip and I find it to be great for riding in the car where I run colder than my husband.
https://ibex.com/products/wome.....#038;_ss=r?

LaPed

Hi MsMaven! I travel a lot, mostly active/outdoor-oriented, and absolutely love lightweight merino knits. I am also quite sensitive to wool/lanolin, and develop rashes on my knees and elbows if I wear long sleeves or leggings that contain wool. But I can do tank tops, tees, bras/underwear, socks, and accessor like hats and gloves. Plus heavier jackets if I have a long sleeve top underneath in a non-wool fabric. Unbound has some good stuff. Other companies I recommend: Wool&, WoolX, Ibex, Icebreaker, Ridge Merino, and Simply Merino. Hope that helps!

Carol

They certainly look great, and at those prices, I would think they do what they say. They can do a lot with fabric these days. Chicos has a travel line, but it is not about warmth, just absolute packability--getting bunched up and needing no ironing.

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