Fleeced wool is soft and fluffy to the touch, but wears really well. It's warmer and more wind-proof than simply knitted wool and more flexible than boiled wool making it ideal for little ones.
Merino wool is a kind of wool fibre that is very fine, soft and springy and is not itchy at all to most skins. The Merino sheep usually thrives in mountainous areas at high altitudes and its wool is naturally brilliant at keeping the body comfortable at a wide range of temperatures.
All certified organic wool comes from sheep which have been farmed organically and with high animal welfare standards. At Cambridge Baby we always make sure that no wool comes from farms which practise mulesing.
Please note that under EU labelling regulations, stating the type of wool is not allowed, only a statement of "100% wool" or "new wool" is allowed. However, this garment is made from 100% organic Merino wool.
Engel's organic Merino wool is certified to GOTS organic standards by IMO. These standards are so high that even oils that lubricate knitting machines have to be analysed. With Engel, you can be assured that their dyes are baby-safe, eco-safe and that all cotton threads and finishes are natural too.
Wool (and thus Merino wool) has many benefits.
Merino wool is the wool of choice for baby and children's clothes, as well as for sportswear, because it's finer than most other wools. It's naturally springy (which makes it softer) and has a tight crimp, allowing it to trap more air, making clothing lighter as well as softer for the same excellent insulation.
Merino wool has also been proven to absorb UV across the whole range of the spectrum, giving excellent lightweight sun protection in the summer too.
Engel's organic Merino wool fleece is a very soft fabric and is easy to damage when washing. Extreme care must be taken if you do decide to wash it. Engel recommends hand washing as follows.
In the event that you do decide to wash your fleece, use a detergent designed for wool which protects and replenishes the wool's natural oils. We recommend one of our liquid wool shampoos in our fabric care section here.
To hand-wash your organic Merino wool, dilute your wool detergent in cool water, max 30C (lukewarm only, should feel coolish), in a bowl. For heavily-soiled areas, use a little gall soap on your woollens first, testing on an inconspicuous area first.
Add your woollens to the bowl, gently stirring and squeezing the detergent through. Rinse using water at the same temperature, otherwise, your wool will be subjected to "shock" and might felt up. So lukewarm/coolish at 30C again.
Things not to do! Don't wring, soak, brush or rub vigorously as the wool fibres may be damaged and your garment felt up a little and shrink. Just squeeze the water through.
To dry, gently squeeze water out and wrap your wool clothes in a towel to remove the excess water. Air-dry naturally avoiding direct heat. So, hanging on a drying rack over the bath is good, or on a clothes horse. Mine often end up over the back of chairs or on the washing line in the shade (I haven't had a problem with the heat of the English being too hot, yet, but direct sunlight is not good for wool).
Re-shape while still damp.
This was washed... not needed washing yet
This was worn by... me
Sizing: Feels true to size
I'd recommend this to a friend.
"Super body warmer - does just what it says. Have bought a second one and they are in constant use. Keeps me warm without adding a bulky layer. Washes well too."
This was washed... washed fine
This was worn by... Pensioner
"I love this. I’ve not turned the heating on as trying to be kind to the environment and this keeps me toasty warm as i potter around the house or watch TV in the evenings"
This was worn by... Me
"This is so soft and snuggly I am sure it is going to be my go to garment this winter. I find it helpful to have my body warm but my arms free when being active. It is quite stretchy so I could probably have gone for a size down. It is also a lovely rich colour."
This was worn by... Myself
Sizing: A little generous
"I haven’t worn this properly yet as it is very warm. It’s a lovely colour and a very comfortable fit. It gives instant warmth when I put it on. I love the fact it’s made of natural materials and hope to buy a jacket from the same material next time I need one."
"I’ve worn it lots indoors and out. It’s extremely lightweight but warm too. I’m a size 8 and ordered xs in grape colour - which is very nice- not too small but I’d have preferred another inch all round. Nonetheless I do recommend it but size up if you want it roomy. I have the long sleeve jacket too and it’s much roomier. This gilet is I think designed to be more snug."
Sizing: A little small
Product 4/9