Woolens: too itchy?

Notes from a former "sensory issues" person...

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For more on “Woolens” go here and here.

… I still do have sensory issues; I’ve just learned to calm down a bit about them.

I was that kid whose sneakers had to be the exact amount of tightness and whose underwear was always “not right.” My step-mother, a crochet master, made me several gorgeous wool dresses when I was a schoolgirl. I just could not wear them. I remember the day I wore one to school and thought I would expire. A tragedy; it was really beautiful.

I still can’t abide a label scratching me on the back of my neck. I would never knit socks that feature a spiral — seems sadistic.

For me, wool is not just about solving the itchiness. It’s also an odd feeling of warm and cool at the same time, which is what a wool sweater on my bare skin feels like: itchy, drafty, and sweaty!

So, having established my bona fides as not being one of those “I don’t mind wool next to my skin” people, I will tell you how I learned to love wearing wool and maybe you can too.

In the 80s, the whole concept of layering became a fashion trend; a revelation. Since then, I’ve acquired a whole basic wardrobe of cotton turtlenecks and long-sleeved tee-shirts, and cotton (flannel and non) collared, button-down shirts as well. These form an unvarying underlayer (with camisole for all but the turtlenecks, usually).

With the advent of merino sweaters and cardis, I find I can do well with one of the long-sleeved shirts or tees, though sometimes my neck gets sensitive. Even cashmere is challenging for my wimpy neck!

If it’s really cold, I am able to wear a wool (soft or scratchy) turtleneck if I have a cotton one underneath. Some of the latter are quite thin, yet offer protection. I then can add another wool layer (vest or cardi) over, to be nice and toasty.

I have two thrifted merino dresses that I wear over fleece tights, a slip or nylon skirt, and cotton turtleneck.

With these methods, I am not itchy and not sweaty.

If I were dressing for actual hiking or long hours outside, where I would really worry about intensive cold and possibly damp, I would wear silk versions of those layers next to my skin.

All this applies to kids too. It’s better to have layers, than to have one too-warm thing that they can’t take off because there’s nothing underneath.

There are very soft merino layers (like tights and bras); I’m reluctant to invest and find out I can’t tolerate them after all. But I would like to, so if you have a brand to share, please do!

What are your strategies?

Françoise Seignobosc

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