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Wool Everywhere!

(38 Posts)
flappergirl Mon 30-Sept-24 20:40:03

I have a wool allergy. Actually I have sensory issues (as they say these days) to various fabrics but wool sets my eczema off a treat. I even break out if I've just lightly touched something made of wool or that's only a percentage of wool. And no I can't wear a blouse underneath, it doesn't work. Neither does merino, alpaca or any other wool.

It's woollen jumpers galore this year. The few non wool offerings I've found are truly "old lady'ish" and not remotely stylish let alone fashionable or attractive. Oddly enough there are plenty of rather nice cardigans in viscose. I've scoured the internet but to no avail and I'm thoroughly fed up.

In the winter I generally live in trousers, jumpers and boots. Now what do I do? Has anyone else got a wool allergy or know of a secret outlet for non wool jumpers?

Maria59 Mon 30-Sept-24 20:44:07

Edinburgh Woolen mill sell non wool jumpers

Fairislecable Mon 30-Sept-24 21:02:49

Seasalt have cotton jumpers

www.seasaltcornwall.com/makers-cotton-textured-jumper

MayBee70 Mon 30-Sept-24 21:19:55

I’m the same. Even thinking about it makes me itch. I stupidly bought some dryer balls for my tumble dryer that were wool so I was adding bits of wool to my non woollen clothing.

MayBee70 Mon 30-Sept-24 21:32:54

I’m not at home but tend to save any catalogues that get delivered with non wool items in them. My jumpers do tend to last me forever so any brands that I do have at home probably now make them with cashmere. ( I’m itching as I write this…). I tend to live in acrylic hoodies with cotton t shirts underneath.

flappergirl Mon 30-Sept-24 22:10:00

Thanks everyone. Glad (sort of) to hear I'm not alone. Even talking about wool makes me itch as others have said. I'll take a look at Edinburgh Woollen Mill, I would never have thought of that. The Seasalt jumper is nice. It's just that the most interesting and attractive jumpers are all made of wool. I think MayBee I'll have to follow your lead and start buying hoodies. I actually considered it when I was shopping, in desperation, yesterday. Sorry to hear about your dryer balls, what a disaster!

Allira Mon 30-Sept-24 22:18:26

Cotton Traders make jumpers in acrylic mixes and in cotton.

Oreo Mon 30-Sept-24 22:37:03

I never wear wool either, no allergies but I find it a bit itchy and hard to wash.
M&S sell acrylic jumpers and cardies as do loads of places.

Oreo Mon 30-Sept-24 22:39:00

Damart online sell non wool items and good cotton jumpers, quite warm ones.

Claretjan Mon 30-Sept-24 22:47:22

Following this thread with interest. I can't wear wool and even acrylic can make me itch. I tend to buy cotton or viscose but find the choice is limited and not very exciting.

RosiesMaw2 Mon 30-Sept-24 23:37:36

Check out Roman (Originals)
Lots of non wool and far from “old lady” styling IMO

flappergirl Tue 01-Oct-24 08:00:17

I like viscose best Claretjan. Cotton jumpers are usually a bit thin for the winter. I'm glad you agree that those available are limited and very, very ordinary. I look at the jazzy wool jumpers with such envy.

RosiesMaw, thanks for suggesting Roman, I've never heard of them. That's just the sort of link I was hoping for from this thread. Off to check them out.

LovesBach Tue 01-Oct-24 08:19:33

Edinburgh Woolen Mill have a good selection of plain cotton jumpers, in a range of colours and quite heavy, that look good alone or over a light roll neck. I love the look of wool - the pastel shades of lambswool and shetland sweaters and the beautiful cashmere that my daughter wears in different colours, but like many here I would be scratching madly within minutes. Frustrating.

Redcar Tue 01-Oct-24 12:15:30

I’m sensitive to wool too, and itch even with cotton shirts underneath. Practically every jumper I see that I like has at least some wool or cashmere in it.
M&S are quite good for cotton or viscose jumpers and this year I bought some nice jumpers from Fatface.

SueDonim Tue 01-Oct-24 12:39:47

I don’t have a wool allergy but it can make me itch. I recall miserable school days wearing an itchy wool gym slip and woollen socks.

I’ve discovered that I can wear cashmere but otherwise I like cotton. Cotton Traders do cotton jumpers and do check out men’s wear sections. I’ve got some men’s cotton sweaters from M&S, which I like because they’re longer and often have nicer colours than ladies and you can tumble dry them.

Claretjan Tue 01-Oct-24 12:52:13

I've just bought a viscose jumper from Roman which feels comfortable.
To be extra awkward I can't wear anything high necked either. They make me feel claustrophobic and don't suit me anyway. Oh, and being small I don't suit anything chunky. I hate winter clothes! Rant over!

Annanan Tue 01-Oct-24 13:10:40

Sweatshirts? They’re all cotton and some have fleecy linings. Definitely not the grandma look.

Vintagegirl Tue 01-Oct-24 13:14:37

I only recently discovered the beauty, comfort and warmth of cashmere. I would have previously always had a collared cotton top under any wool item. Ah but expensive!

Ktsmum Tue 01-Oct-24 13:19:28

My favourite shop, Fat Face, has lovely cotton jumpers

Romola Tue 01-Oct-24 13:24:14

Can you knit? There are some gorgeous yarns to be had, e.g silk/cotton or silk/cashmere mixes and interesting patterns.
I do like wool, but anything interesting is either very expensive or poor quality (I'm looking at you Seasalt).
So I knit while watching TV and make about 2 a year, one for me one for my daughter.

Rainnsnow Tue 01-Oct-24 13:49:07

Mountain warehouse do fleece jumpers , they are made from recycled plastic bottles. I buy them for husband and father in law. They are casual and in a lot of colours. Very easy to care for , wash then they dry quickly unlike a real wool jumper.

missdeke Tue 01-Oct-24 13:52:28

Last year I bought some jumpers from F&F Tesco which were made from recycled plastic bottles, there are plenty of companies sell these. I've found mine so soft and comfortable causing no irritation whatsoever.

Bluedaisy Tue 01-Oct-24 14:05:53

Box2 do cotton & acrylic cardigans and jumpers as I can’t wear wool and wear only their jumpers.

Tish Tue 01-Oct-24 14:29:40

Look at the Uniqlo website… lots of non woolly cozy sweaters here…

springishere Tue 01-Oct-24 17:00:40

Thanks for all the links. Mine has just developed over the last few years, so out go all my woollies. Even some of the acrylic ones have a small percentage of wool, and itch like mad.