Summer Wool Is Less Outlandish than You Might Think

When the year reaches a seasonal turning point and the long, languid days of summer begin to roll in, wool clothing is usually the furthest thing from anyone’s mind with lightweight fabrics such as cotton and linen taking a spike in popularity. But while wool is usually reserved in the popular imagination for the depths of winter (think Aran sweater, thick wool socks, and cozy blankets), we’re here to tell you that summer wool, also sometimes called tropical wool, is an untapped mine of potential, going criminally unnoticed summer after summer. If you’re feeling dubious, however, never fear. Below, we’ve rounded up the very best ways to reap the benefits of working wool into your summer, be it lightweight merino wool socks for hiking, a tropical wool suit for that upcoming destination wedding, or a lightweight wool fabric blanket around the house. You can thank us later.

Before we get down to making suggestions on how to implement it into your life this season, it’s important to understand why wool is an ideal summer fabric. It’s a concept that many find confusing, but it’s important to remember that, before humankind was ever advanced enough to debate the seasonal uses of wool or even conceive of thin wool socks, another species wore the textile all year long with little issue. People weren’t shearing sheep from the get-go, after all, and thanks to clever Mother Nature, they were getting by just fine even so.

An electron microscopy comparison of the fiber of the Australian Merino sheep (above) and a human hair (below). (CSIRO)

The reason for this lies with the immense wicking ability of wool that helps it remove sweat from the body when it’s subjected high temperatures. Furthermore, wool is actually capable of taking in moisture in its vaporous form, absorbing water from the air thanks to miniscule pores that lie on the outer layer of its fibers and bringing the tiny droplets right into its center. This maintains a dry layer directly against the skin and helps regulate body temperature. This means that the wool-wearer—be they sheep or human—is kept warm and toasty in the winter, yet cool and dry in the summer.

Sheep were first domesticated by humans some 10,000 years ago, and their beautiful fleece has been used to make clothing since the Stone Age. In fact, the production of spun wool is the oldest trade commodity on record in the entire world, having been mentioned multiple times in the Old Testament of the Bible. Most of the wool sold in today’s world is sourced from the United States, New Zealand, and Australia, with coarse American wool being used for carpet pads, tennis balls, and insulation; the thicker wool of New Zealand put to use in carpets and drapes; and the delicate Australian Merino sheep’s wool being used for, you guessed it, merino wool clothing.

Lightweight wool is has found its way into a plethora of summer ensembles over time, thanks to its thin weave and resistance to wrinkles. (The same, of course, can’t be said of cotton or linen, which are often in need of a good iron when they’re broken out of the closet on that first sunny day of the year!) But if you’re not willing to fully commit to something like a merino wool t-shirt, a good stepping stone to introduce tropical weight wool into your wardrobe is a woolen shawl. Classy and timeless, a shawl is perfect for draping around shoulders when the sun begins to set but the post-barbeque conversation is still flowing. Its compact nature makes it easy to slip into a bag, and with its soft, light texture, it’s the a fantastic choice to stay safe from insect bites while staying warm (but, crucially, not too warm). As an added bonus, a high-quality wool shawl lends itself beautifully to use in meditation and yoga, and fits right into many fall, winter, and spring outfits as a light scarf, adding that extra something to your look wherever and whenever it’s called for.

Despite being perceived as a wintertime staple, wool can be especially useful in the summer for its moisture-wicking properties. (Patrick Francis)

If what you’re now thinking is that wool may be all well and good in the form of a summertime shawl, but surely can’t make the cut as a base layer in any hot-weather outfit, it’s time to think again. Look, for example, to the Bedouin nomads, a desert-dwelling people native to North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and Iraq, who traditionally herd goats and camels for the wool they yield, trading their products in addition to wearing them themselves.

Wool is made up of keratin, the same protein that composes the outer layer of the skin, and thus works in perfect sync with the body’s own defensive functions. As such, full-body wool garments (such as this infant’s button-down dress) are a fantastic choice to ensure comfort in any climate. Strong-fibered and practical, this particular example is made from soft merino sheep’s wool, guaranteed to keep the wearer cool and blissfully rash-free during the warmer months. And what’s more, such a dress can be beautifully-incorporated into a layered look, which ups the versatility of the garment all the more: pair it with a blouse and cozy tights (as pictured) when it’s chilly outside, or dress things down and keep it simple by letting the dress stand for itself when the summer heat is blazing. As an added bonus, sheep’s wool is naturally equipped with a high level of protection against ultraviolet rays, protecting sensitive baby skin against the sun in ways manmade fabrics are unable to fully replicate.

In addition to its ability to keep the body cool and sunburn-free during the summer, wool is odor-resistant and antimicrobial. Because the fabric won’t absorb sweat on the body, bad-smelling microbes are hard-pushed to find patches of moisture in which to grow, and bacteria are unable to multiply at the rate they might in the likes of synthetic fibers. And since wool is disinclined to cling onto dampness, it also means that, when it storage, it won’t be impacted by the mold or mildew that often lurk in the further-reaching corners of the home where clothing is kept.

This baby can go from summer to winter no problem with the lightweight wool dress. (Carraig Donn)

One excellent (and delightfully unconventional) way to enjoy the benefits of wool’s resistance to sweaty scents is by wearing a traditional Irish flat cap in place of a more run-of-the-mill baseball hat this summer. Though sometimes made from pure wool, these hats are most commonly made from tweed, itself a woolen fabric with a soft, flexible texture and close-woven, durable weave. Irish Donegal tweed is manufactured, somewhat predictably, in Co. Donegal, Ireland, and is spun from the wool of local sheep, while native plants such as blackberries, moss, and fuschia provide naturally striking dyes.

Easily worn in a smart or casual style, an Irish flat cap is a fantastic alternative to more commonly-seen styles of hat, and will serve the wearer well anywhere from the boardwalk to the golf course, keeping the sun out of the eyes and preventing the unsightly matting of “hat hair” with ease, all thanks to the breathability of its woollen make.

During the vacation-heavy spell that comes hand in hand with summer, an essential for any traveler’s arsenal is a wearable bag that can stand up to the intensity of the adventure at hand. The day-to-day experience of any trip can, after all, be hard on possessions, and a vacation is best enjoyed safe in the knowledge that one’s personal effects are safe and secure while sightseeing. For this, a piece such as this perfectly-sized tweed and leather cross-body bag is ideal. Created with the utmost care by popular Irish designer Carraig Donn, it boasts four exterior and five interior pockets for the storage of every on-the-go essential imaginable—just the thing for when the just idea of dragging a full-sized handbag around in the summer heat is enough to break you out in a sweat.

Tweed is a hardy fabric, designed to withstand harsh climates and rough use. It’s for this reason that tweed is so popularly-depicted as a favorite of fictional action heroes, such as Sean Connery’s Indiana Jones in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Harrison Ford’s own Indy in the opening of Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull, and Robert Downey Jr.’s cinematic take on Sherlock Holmes; so you can see why choosing to accessorize with tweed on your big summer getaway will undoubtedly get your adrenaline pumping!

This Wool Knit Fairy Tree Throw could be a good option to keep your couch protected during the hot summer months. (Aran Crafts Collection)

From home and away to home again, it’s impossible to underestimate the importance of keeping your living space cool and comfortable during the summer. While much of this of course lies with the residence itself (central air, high ceilings, and rooms with decent air flow are never to be sniffed at), the way in which we choose to outfit our homes can massively impact the way we feel in them. That’s right: that “think cool thoughts” adage just got a little more practical. Gone is the time for wintertime staples like bulky, chunky-knit couch throws—or so you’d think.

Wool throws like this Aran-stitched piece are actually a fantastic choice for protecting the fabric of your couch from sticky, sweaty bodies during the height of the summer. As mentioned above, the wool is impervious to the unpleasant odors that will eagerly cling to other materials in warm, damp conditions, and will maintain its softness and clean scent event after countless turns in the washing machine. Furthermore, as the end of summer creeps in and the time for outdoor parties gradually begins to pass, a lightweight woolen blanket is the ideal thing to have on hand for a cold-sensitive guest, or to drape over the bed when the temperature begins to drop at night.

As an added bonus, this particular merino wool throw is patterned with a trio of leafy trees, to evoke the lively spirit of summer in your home. The trees in question are what are known as “fairy trees” in Irish culture—that is, the home of many a mischievous sprite, who surely nurse just as much of a fondness for the summertime as we humans do!

Are you still not sold on the idea of using wool to fluff up your summer, but love the aesthetic of the material at all other times of year? Worry not: wool’s versatility makes it easy to work into any closet or living space gradually, so you can test the waters, learning to embrace the cool, steadfast softness at a pace that’s right for you. One easy (and totally subtle) method of incorporating wool into your house’s summer look is with the help of these gorgeously rustic Aran-knit cushion covers. Made from 100% merino wool, they’re as lovely to the touch as they are to the eye, with a neutral cream hue that’s sure to look right at home alongside any pastel-filled summertime color scheme. Their practical side-buttons make them easy to put on and remove from your cushions whenever the covers are in need of washing, of which they can withstand plenty, thanks to their long-lasting, high-quality material.

Wool is a textile with a long history and a bright future. Its uses are innumerable, its year-round popularity at an ever-increasing high—and we’re not surprised in the slightest. With all of these ideas on how to introduce wool into our lives this summer, we’re all abuzz with shear inspiration.

Main Image: Museo del Prado