Can I wear my wool coat in the rain?
Wool can actually absorb roughly half its weight in water without feeling wet or suffering detrimental damage. So, to sum it up- can you wear wool coats in the rain? The answer is a resounding YES!
Basically, if you get caught in a sudden rain shower, it's lightly drizzling, or you just have to run out for a couple minutes, you'll be fine in wool. If it's a torrential downpour, or you need to be outside in the rain/snow for a long time, you risk the water seeping through if it gets wet enough.
A wool coat to look stylish on warmer days, when it's 35 degrees Fahrenheit or above. For when it's not quite as cold and windy, a wool coat is the best option. There are multiple options, including car coats, toggle coats, and peacoats (though these edge toward the warmer side).
Lay the coat on a large, thick towel, and roll it up in the towel, squeezing along the length of the towel roll as you go. Lay the coat flat over an indoor clothes drying rack. It will likely take a day or two to dry — turn it at least once during the process so that it dries evenly.
- Gently brush the coat with a soft suede brush. ...
- Hang wool coats on plastic or wood hangers between use. ...
- Blot spills on wool immediately to sop up moisture. ...
- Take wool coats to a dry cleaner twice a year. ...
- Store coats after the season in a garment bag.
One of the best properties of wool is that it is highly water-resistant. While they're not totally hydrophobic, untreated wools with the fatty lanolin from the original animal still intact can be almost waterproof. Even fine wools that have been treated can provide a certain level of protection.
Down coats often provide more warmth than wool coats, but you should always check the warmth rating of the coats you're considering.
They can also be worn in all three seasons. However, wool coats do very little to protect you from the elements since they often do not have hoods. They truly do very little to shield you from the frigid waters and icy winds of winter.
For increased warmth, a blend of at least 50% wool is recommended. Wool blends containing a higher percentage of wool compare favorably with the performance of 100% wool.
High-quality wool products can smell of lanolin, which is naturally secreted by sheep. This is what makes their coats waterproof, and this often results in wool smelling more strongly when wet.
What happens if you wash a wool coat?
What happens when you put a wool coat in the washer? On the delicate or wool cycle and in cool or lukewarm water, a wool coat will be thoroughly washed. However, if you put wool in hot water or on a more vigorous cycle, the wool could get stretched or irreversibly damaged.
To wash your coat, turn it inside out, to help prevent pilling and damage. If your washing machine has a wool cycle, use it. If not, use the gentle or delicate cycle on cold. Never wash wool on hot—it will weaken the fibers and shrink the fabric.
Make sure to hang your coats on a hanger suited for heavy wools such as a wide plastic or wooden hanger. Wool coats are heavy and a wire hanger cannot support the weight and could stretch the shoulders out of shape.
If your coat is wool, gently brush it after you wear it to remove surface dirt that may have settled. Wool coats that are labeled dry clean only should be cleaned two times per year. Never hang your coat in the closet if wet or even damp. Items holding moisture in dark places usually end up with mildew issues.
If a wool garment is only lightly rumpled and wrinkled, it can often be revived with steam alone. If you don't have a clothes steamer, simply hanging the garment on a sturdy hanger in a humid environment like a steamy bathroom may be enough. The heat and moisture will help the fibers relax and release the wrinkles.
The outermost layer of the wool fiber, the epicuticle, repels water. (The lanolin in wool also helps repel water.) So when you are out in the rain, even extended rain, or immersed in a river or the surf for a shorter time, the wool gets wet on the surface, like human hair would, but does not soak up any water.
The average good quality wool coat will last 3 to 5 years if you treat it well. Sometimes a coat will last a lot longer.
After optimising the spinning, weaving and finishing processes, the fabrics made from these elastic Merino wool fibres have enhanced water and wind resistant properties (while retaining all Merino wool's fine properties such as breathability) without any chemical treatments, and are also machine washable.
Down is natural insulation (from duck or goose feathers), it holds heat better than most other organic materials, it's lightweight, and it's breathable. But even though down is warmer than wool, that doesn't mean you should skip a wool coat and go right for down. Wool has one big advantage over down — it can get wet.
100% wool will be warmest, but one with at least 60% wool will also keep you cozy. If you're going for a blend, look for one with nylon — it's strong and will help the coats last for years — but avoid coats with fabric that has over three fibers blended together because these are more prone to pilling.
What type of wool is warmest?
Angora wool is exceptionally soft and possess the highest heat retention of any natural fiber (two-and-a-half times warmer than sheep's wool). It also has the best moisture-wicking properties of any natural fiber.
An easy way to wear the trend is by layering a long wool coat over a sweater dress. Cinch the waist-tie or add a leather belt to give you shape under your outerwear. Add tights and black ankle boots to complete the look.
It's possible that people who react to wool are actually reacting to something used in the garment-making process. However, that same review found very low levels of irritants in the chemicals and dyes in wool products. So, it's possible that wool causes a skin reaction because it's naturally such a thick fiber.
While wool is well worth the money, it's important to know why it's so expensive. The reality is that wool is highly sought after and many people know that it's a high-end material. Wool is actually expensive for several reasons.
Fill your glass bowl with some water. Hold fabric over bowl and touch with the lit match. An original wool fabric will immediately catch fire and maintain a steady burn, though it might be difficult to keep it burning. Burnt wool fabrics have the smell of burning hair.
Cashmere is at its most delicate when the fibers are wet, so this is the stage that requires the most care. Unfortunately, wet cashmere can take days to dry, so this is also the stage that requires the most patience.
Merino wool can get wet, but it does much better in insulating the body when wet compared to other fabrics. In fact, merino wool can hold up to 30% of its weight in water. Merino wool is water-resistant, however, it is not waterproof.
The smell of wool has a lot to do with it. High-quality wool products can smell of lanolin, which is naturally secreted by sheep. This is what makes their coats waterproof, and this often results in wool smelling more strongly when wet.
