4 Ways to Go All In on Texture

Created with The Woolmark Company

Published on: October 25, 2022

Photo courtesy of DanielBrunoGrandl/Blaublut-Edition.com

Chunky sweaters, structured coats, cozy ribbed socks to wriggle on before boots—fall fashion is all about texture. It’s hard to overdo it: Layer up and lean into the tactile delight.

When it comes to clothing, seasonal or otherwise, one material tends to outperform the rest: Merino wool—a soft, natural, renewable fiber that comes from sheep—is thermoregulating, meaning it helps you stay warm when it’s cold outside and cool when it’s hot. It’s moisture-wicking and odor-resistant. And it’s biodegradable, so at the end of its life cycle, it will return to the earth.

Merino wool is, unsurprisingly, a favorite fabric of ours. Here are four ways to weave it into your closet.

FOR THE OFFICE

Crisp cotton shirting, supple leather pants, a warm but breathable Merino wool blend coat to keep you comfortable during the commute—here, the combination of different materials feels considered thanks to an achromatic color palette. For even more dimension, wrap a chunky knit around your shoulders or layer it over the shirt and let that adorable ruffled collar peek out.

FOR A NIGHT OUT

A dress is just a dress—that is, until it’s reimagined in soft stretch-rib that flatters any figure. Finish the look with sexy suede knee-highs, a shearling Chanel, and an elegant shawl-collar wool coat in winter white.

FOR THE WEEKEND

Layered under off-duty denim, an ultraslim onesie—done in a Merino wool blend with a touch of stretch—provides full-body warmth without making you overheat (to everyone else, it just looks like you’re wearing a bodysuit). A cloudlike quilted poncho blocks the fall breeze, and chunky boots keep the look grounded.

FOR STAYING IN

When the only decisions to make are what to order (goop Rotisserie FTW), what to watch (House of the Dragon, anyone?), and how to unwind (try a couple of drops of Dusk in your diffuser), may we suggest swaddling yourself in softness? Pull out all the stops with silk pj’s, an ultrafine Italian Merino sweater, and high-throat shearling slippers.