When one calls to mind the words “itchy” and “scratchy,” it probably wasn’t very long ago that you were thinking about wool, instead of that vulgar and fictitious cartoon within a cartoon from “The Simpsons.” When thinking of wool, you might have let your mind drift to wet wool, the aroma of which can resemble a wet stray dog. However, get ready to change your thinking, as wool is more chic that ever, while still maintaining its classic and affordable appeal, all without the tragic smell.
Like fur and leather, wool is a byproduct of animals; however, its only the most extreme environmentalist who is opposed to the use of wool, as the animal does not have to be killed in order to retrieve the wool. Rather, real wool is made from the shorn hair of animals like goats, sheet, alpacas, llamas and rabbits, instead of the entire skin or pelt. Another bonus of this process is that the collected fur has lanolin, which must be cleaned from the fur before usage. The lanolin is then used in a variety of other ways, such as in cosmetics production, which is quite a step up from the whale blubber of yore.
The feel of wool relies on several different factors. Generally, the longer and finer the fibers used in the garment, the softer the wool will be. Other factors include the type of animal from which the fibers came, and the part of the animal as well. Cashmere is an extremely fine example of wool and comes from a specific goat; angora fiber, from the angora rabbit, is very soft as well. While the coarser blends are normally used for coats and the softer varieties for those garments which will be against skin, cashmere coats are made, and merino or angora linings are a popular feature in coats as well.
Several different kinds of coats have historically been made of wool, even though now they may be made out of several different fabrics. The pea coat of naval fame became popular with the military because of its durability and practicality. Wool can lend additional structure and sharpness to the sometimes slouchy trench coat, as well. Because of the development and affordability of synthetic fibers, wool production has decreased from what it has in the past, as the lower end coarser wool blends can be made more affordably and softer with synthetics. However, cashmere and angora are still popular, if indulgences for special occasions. Wool is the classic all-purpose fabric, which is seeing a new twist from fashion today.
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