Virgin Wool
Sheep wool is one of the oldest natural fibers used to produce textiles. Pure virgin wool comes exclusively from living sheep and is characterized by its particularly high quality.
Shorn wool can be spun into yarns with 100% wool content or blended with other fibers.
Spun wool can then be woven into fabrics, knitted into knitwear, or processed into felt.
It is especially popular for high-quality, warming sweaters, jackets, and coats. Additionally, exclusive suits are often made from expensive and high-quality wool fabrics crafted from very fine yarns.
The well-known and popular tweed fabric, originating from the British Isles, is made from pure virgin wool. It is robust, warm, durable, and hard-wearing, ideal for jackets, coats, suits, blazers, and hats, offering excellent protection against winter weather while maintaining a stylish appearance.
Virgin Wool: Definition and Origin
What exactly is virgin wool, and how does it differ from other types of wool?
The distinction between wool and virgin wool is as follows: Only wool from living domestic sheep, shorn once a year, can be referred to as virgin wool. Wool comes in natural colours of white, brown, or black. Virgin wool is of higher quality and is finer, more uniform, and softer than other types of wool, such as:
- Lambswool: Wool from the first shearing of lambs
- Fell wool: Wool obtained from slaughtered animals
- Sterling wool: Wool from naturally deceased animals
- Recycled wool: A recycled product made from old wool
The quality of wool varies significantly across different countries of origin, particularly in terms of fiber fineness.
The finest virgin wool comes from:
- New Zealand
- Australia
- South Africa
- South America
Sheep Wool: Processing
A single sheep produces enough wool annually for around five sweaters. After shearing, the wool is processed as follows:
- The wool is sorted by quality and characteristics.
- It is gently washed, combed, dyed, or bleached.
- The wool grease (lanolin) is initially removed during processing and may be re-added during finishing.
- The fibers are spun into yarn.
- The yarn is woven, knitted into fabrics and textiles, or processed into felt. It can also be made into carpets.
- To give the wool special properties that it naturally lacks, it is sometimes treated ("finished"). For example, the wool may be made moth-resistant, shrink-resistant, or machine-washable.
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Characteristics and Uses of Virgin Wool
As a high-quality natural fiber, virgin wool boasts many positive properties. It is:
- Antistatic
- Antibacterial
- Breathable
- Compostable
- Durable
- Dirt-repellent
- Flame-resistant
- Temperature-regulating
- Insulating
Virgin Wool vs. Merino Wool: Differences
Unlike virgin wool, Merino wool comes from a specific breed called Merino sheep, originally from North Africa. Compared to virgin wool, Merino wool is much finer and more elastic, with fibers that are highly crimped and silky-soft. Since Merino wool does not feel scratchy on the skin, it is better suited for close-fitting garments than virgin wool.
There are fewer Merino sheep than domestic sheep, and more Merino wool is required to make a single garment, making Merino wool more exclusive, sought-after, and expensive to produce.
Uses in Fashion
Due to its insulating and temperature-regulating properties, virgin wool is primarily used for winter clothing.
In our Iris von Arnim collection, you will find, for example, pants made of pure virgin wool, as well as coats, jackets, scarves, and skirts for the cold season in a material mix of warming virgin wool and the finest cashmere. This gives the luxurious double-faced pieces a particularly elegant look.
Caring for Virgin Wool
To enjoy the positive qualities of pure virgin wool for as long as possible, it’s important to care for it properly.
First, always check and follow the care label on the garment.
It’s best to wash textiles made from pure virgin wool by hand or on the wool cycle of a washing machine using a wool detergent. Excessive temperatures or heavy spinning can damage the wool fibers' structure, causing them to felt.
Additionally, pure virgin wool is prone to moth damage. Using moth protection, such as lavender sachets or cedarwood in the closet, can help protect wool garments from moths.
Learn more about natural fibers like cotton and organic cotton.