Hi everyone, this is my first post but I have been lurking for a while, having had a big winter wardrobe overhaul in the recent January sales.
I'm a big merino fan so thought I might be able to contribute. Most of my wardrobe consists of Icebreaker and Smartwool merino, t-shirts, trousers, dresses, leggings, hoodie etc, that I have built up over the years in their end of season sales.
I should add that Smartwool and Icebreaker, as well as other machine washable wool used by cheaper brands like M&S and Uniqlo use superwash wool. This has advantages in that it can be machine washed, but is coated with a resin to allow this and to make it smoother and less itchy.
I love my merino superwash items, but they are not as warm as non superwashed. Also, some feels nicer than others and I did try an Uniqlo merino jumper which I returned as it felt like it had been coated in plastic.
The warmth issue was one reason for buying some nicer warm jumpers recently, as well as the environmental factor with superwash and wanting some other less outdoorsy type clothing that make me look like I am going skiing!
One place I have recently discovered is Dilling, who do not use superwash (who have 20% off this weekend and rarely have offers). Dilling have a very nice looking navy merino knit jumper that I am trying to resist!
I have also had some success with Jigsaw, Boden and Me&Em for merino or cashmere, as well as Celtic and Co Donegal wool and a lovely Seamless wool lime coloured jumper from Croft House made in Scotland, in my winter jumper hunts. Lots of attempts from other shops, including Cos, Whistles, &Other Stories, H&M have been unsuccessful.
I wear shorter jumpers with short skirts and thick tights, or trousers and longer ones with leggings. Anything seems to go with my favourite Icebreaker Merino crush pants in black, which are like a cross between leggings and joggers but can look dressed up with ankle boots.
I bought my teenage son a merino jumper from H&M in November and the arm seam has broken and already needs repairing, so in all honesty I think it is worth paying more for something better made. I have Icebreaker and Smartwool tops and hoodies from maybe 7 years ago that have been worn and washed so much and are still immaculate.
There is also Woolovers, which is cheap and I have a few old jumpers from, but I do find them a bit frumpy looking and tend to wear them over PJs or for gardening these days.
For information I'm 53, 5'3, 9 stone, 34D, size 10-12 with 2 teenage sons. I might describe myself as slightly unconventional and prefer to wear colours and fabrics I like, rather than following fashion. I like natural fabrics and prefer to buy wool, silk or cotton but can cope with a bit of elastine. Having finished my January wardrobe overhaul I am aiming for no-spend for 2 years, so maybe I can start here to nurture my wool fetish rather than the shops!