Please help - I want to be warm & comfy but everything itches me!

[Poppysball]

Trying to find tops that don’t make feel itchy without any success. I love the look of the warm cosy longline jumpers and cardigans but they make me itch like mad. Everywhere I go I see things like this that I would love to wear but I know after 2 minutes of wearing I’ll want to rip it off. Wool is a definite no but now it seems acrylic, polyester mixes etc are just as bad and everything warm looking seems to be made of these fabrics.

This morning I put my comfy leggings on a long tshirt and a cardigan which I’ve had to take off as it’s scratchy.

I actually don’t know what to do - I haven’t much spare money for clothes although i do have some JL vouchers. I need some things to keep my warm in winter but what should I buy that looks nice, isn’t too expensive and isn’t itchy?!

I’d really appreciate any suggestions thanks.

Look for cotton/viscous/tencel. Asda have some very reasonably priced cosy things. I have skin allergies, including wool & polyester, so sympathise.

Is it definitely the clothes and not washing powder/conditioner?

Yes definitely the clothes as anything cotton that I have is fine. Also when I try certain things on in a shop they start making me feel uncomfortable straight away.

Thanks coffeebean I didn’t know to look for viscous & tencel - are they a form of cofton?

How are you with cashmere? It’s the only kind of wool I can wear.
It’s not always that expensive. I got a longline cashmere sweater in TK Maxx for £40 yesterday.

Ohyesiam oh that sounds nice. I could afford that and I would pay it if it meant it didn’t itch me! Thing is I don’t know if I would be ok with cashmere so would be worried to buy in case no good and then I’d have wasted money.

Cashmere is the only wool that doesn’t make me itch. And avoid anything synthetic.

I can only wear cashmere or cotton or (sometimes) merino next to my skin or I get really itchy too

I can’t bear the feeling of either wool or master fibres either.

It’s hard! fewer clothes in lovely fabrics is the answer

*man made

Marks and Spencer had some nice long line viscous cardigans, various colours, from £19, if they are still in stock. I bought 2 last year, they wash lovely & still look nice, hold their shape, haven't bobbled etc. Do not tumble dry though!

Also check out qvcuk.com. They stock a large range from lots of brands. All list material content & most items have customer ratings. I have found nice, non irritating items from their brands including Denim & Co, & Joules.

Have a look at Cotton Traders (www.cottontraders.co.uk). Some of their stuff is a mix, but lots are 100% cotton. Usually a discount code available for new customers, and look for their sales. Check the size guide though as tend to come up small.

Good luck!

Viscous is a natural fibre but goes through quite a bit of processing. Tencel is also known as modal, rayon and lyocell. It is made from wood pulp. It feels very similar to cotton.

Bamboo clothing is now becoming available which you should find comfortable. I think it can be a bit pricey though.

Linen & silk feel lovely against the skin if you can find reasonably priced items.

I'm very fussy with this too. I refuse to wear anything itchy or too tight. My cosiest jumper is a Joules Seabridge. It's kind of fleecey. My baby loves snuggling in.

I am the same, OP. Unfortunately I find cashmere itchy, too.

Brushed cotton is good, there are still a lot of sweatshirts out there that are 100% cotton. Brushed cotton blouses are cosy, too. I saw loads in H&M today when I went there with dd.

Bamboo jersey in thicker fabrics is really warm and extremely gentle on the skin. I've been pleased with the cosiness of tops and leggings from bambooclothing.co.uk/

Pretty much always have a layer between my skin and any wool. Shirt, blouse, long sleeved t-shirt.

I'm the same, I get round it by wearing a cotton shirt with a collar under any knitwear (which does at least look reasonably smart). I need the shirt collar to stop the jumper touching my neck, so can't make do with just long sleeved tops.

I love the warmth and durability of wool but can't wear it on bare skin. (Even with Cashmere - it doesn't itch me but I don't like having to wash it too often so always wear with something underneath)

Long sleeve cotton tops, Uniqlo/similar heat tech tops, or, if feeling flush, long sleeve silk t shirts are the business. I bought a couple of silk t shirts from Patra and they lasted for years and years before finally disintegrating due to too much wear. Sad times.

what about cotton knit jumpers?
Or can you take an antihistamine?

Heavy cotton knit jumpers?
I can’t wear Wool either but Cashmere is fine. You can buy it quite cheaply on eBay. I second silk layers or I like the silk/cotton mix t shirts on H&M or Viscose/silk mix.

Cotton or viscose polo/turtle necks also a good underneath option

Alternatively light down layers eg. Uniqlo would work.

I'd layer up, vest top, long sleeved top, cardigan or jumper, scarf, body warmer or fleece and coat.

A scarf always makes me feel warmer.

I like silk thermals for warmth. I bought mine from Lands End on line but I'm sure lots of places sell them.

I have the same problem OP. I'm actually at the point where I can't be bothered trying things on because I'm fed up being disappointed. Everything is scratchy. I now walk around the place rubbing things against my kneck.

Wool makes my nose itch and run, even if it's not directly against my skin! I have layer and usually get nice cardigans from M&S (or even Primark for work cardigans), as jumpers make me feel too hot.

I'm the same

LandsEnd have some good quality knitted cotton. At the moment they have a V-Neck Cotton Tunic Jumper which is reduced (and also you can get extra off with the code SCARY). I've got 3 of these which I'm wearing on constant rotation at the moment and I'm thinking of buying a 4th.

N.B. the washing instructions are a bit daunting, but I just ignore and stick them in the washing machine and they come out fine.