Best Fabrics to Wear in the Winter (and 3 of the Worst)
When the temperature drops, it’s somehow a lot harder to look chic. we tend to binge watch TV and our default outfit is a pair of pajamas wrapped in a blanket.
Part of the challenge is that we hate being cold. Plus, nobody wants to feel heavy or look like a walking marshmallow in winter clothes. Here’s how to wear the right fabrics in cold weather to maximize warmth, minimize bulk, and still look cute.
Best Fabrics to Wear in the Winter
Stay warm. Wear these fabrics.
1. Merino Wool
While there are as many as 10 types of wool, here are the five most common:
Lambswool: first shearing of a young sheep and also known as virgin wool
Merino wool: derived from the Merino sheep and known for its fine, soft fibers
Shetland wool: from the Shetland sheep and generally coarser than other wools
Mohair: derived from the Angora goat and has a fuzzier feel
Angora: produced from Angora rabbits and a different type of wool from the Angora goat
Our favorite type of wool is Merino wool because this natural fiber is finer and softer than the bucket category of “wool” that many brands use on their labels. That means when your blouse clearly identifies a piece as “Merino wool,” you can be confident that you can wear it next to your skin and with minimal itchiness. Anybody immediately think of Sheldon and Leonard and the old DVD episode?
Benefits of Merino Wool
Merino helps regulate body temperature, wicks away moisture, and doesn’t stink. So if you sweat, you won’t be left feeling wet, cold, and clammy.
Types of Merino Wool
Not all Merino wool are alike. There are five main grades of wool, measured by micrometers: strong, medium, fine, super-fine, and ultra-fine. Of course, the finer the wool, the more lightweight and delicate the fabric.
Here are our top picks of 100% Merino wool tops and wool-blend bottoms (because it’s a lot harder to find 100% wool pants).
Other good wool options include Alpaca wool, which isn’t itchy either. You may also see lambswool, which I find is a bit rougher in texture than Merino wool. And we’ve left off cashmere from this list because it deserves a category in itself.
But with any wool, you’ll need to feel it to see how sensitive your skin is or risk another Leonard disaster.
2. Cashmere
Cashmere falls under the umbrella term of “wool,” but since it’s known as the Cadillac of all sweaters, it deserves its own shout-out. This natural fiber is from the fine, under layer hairs of the cashmere goat. It’s got a smooth, silky feel and is my favorite of all winter fabrics.
Benefits of Cashmere
Cashmere can be three to eight times warmer than wool. But it’s breathable and extremely lightweight. The fabric shouldn’t feel scratchy, like some traditional wool sweaters. So basically, all the benefits of Merino wool but lighter, softer, and warmer.
And on top of that, you can also wear cashmere all year round as shawls and our $45 favorite short-sleeve shirts.
Types of Cashmere
Cashmere is measured by fiber length (in inches) and by diameter (in microns). The shorter and thicker fibers are usually cheaper, while longer and finer cashmere are highly coveted.
Now, we can’t afford a $3,000 cashmere sweater. If you prefer neutral, minimalist crew neck sweaters, we highly recommend this $50 cashmere crew, or this $100 baby cashmere crew that is the softest sweater we’ve ever felt in our life! For more eye-catching designs, here are a few cashmere tops under $150:
Cashmere pants are so rare, especially at an affordable price point. So, our writers typically opt for wool skirts from J.Crew and then save up for 100% cashmere joggers. But we recommend staying away from anything advertised cashmere-blend. It’s almost always only 5% cashmere and a mixture of random fabrics.
3. Silk
Before you freak out and say silk is too cold to the touch to wear in the winter, hear us out! Silk is another natural fiber made from the proteins (or cocoons) secreted by silkworms. It sounds disgusting, but silk is an over-the-top luxurious fiber.
Benefits of Silk
Where do you think the phrase “smooth as silk” comes from? Silk is extremely fine and is probably one of the softest fabrics you’ll ever wear. It’s lightweight, hypoallergenic, and a natural insulator. That means it’s breathable and you won’t overheat.
Types of Silk
There are a shocking number of silk types. They are usually categorized by their weight (measured in millimeters), weave, and origin. You’ve likely heard of chiffon or organza (for my Zara lovers out there).
Be aware that silk is expensive. Some designers will add a synthetic blend to make a piece more cost-efficient. So don’t assume if you’ve bought an organza shirt that it’s 100% silk.
We generally wear silk as a layering piece (like this $40 silk cami). But there are silk shirts (like this $70 silk button-up) that are gorgeous as well. And, if you add a lace trim to any silk piece, we’re all over it! Here are our top picks:
Worst Fabrics to Wear in the Winter
You may look cute, but you may also be freezing.
1. Cotton
Although cotton is a natural fiber, you should avoid it in the winter. It does not wick away moisture and it doesn’t insulate well. That means you’ll be wet and cold, which increases your chances of hypothermia in extreme cases.
Here’s an interesting read from MayoClinic and a comment by an Alaska State Trooper about the dangers of cotton in the winter.
Now most of us aren’t going hiking in the winter. So in some cases, you can wear an insulating layer under cotton and go along your merry way. Here are a few cute cotton outfits where I’d wear a layering skin-colored top and bottom underneath.
2. Synthetic Fibers
Man-made fabrics like polyester, acrylic, and rayon are not breathable. They trap heat and make you sweat.
But we need to mention that technology has improved where some of these fibers have beneficial qualities.
For example, fleece is made from polyester. A lot of polyester fleece is carefully designed to wick sweat away and provide insulation. Similarly, some people swear by flannel in the winter. Today, flannel can be made of wool, cotton, or synthetic fiber.
3. Linen
Linen is a yes and no in the winter. It is made from the fibers of the flax plant. Lightweight linen is a signature look for summer weather.
But, like silk, linen has excellent body temperature-regulating features. So, heavyweight linens can be a great layering piece in the winter. But, you may want to opt for darker colors, so you don’t look so out of place in the dead of winter. You wouldn’t wear your bright, yellow sundress in the middle of January, right? Similarly, you may want to save your cream linen shirts for the summer and break out the black linen pieces.
We’re not a hard-core, YOU MUST WEAR CASHMERE IN THE WINTER. But a good rule of thumb is to balance your closet for some really chilly days so you’re never left out in the cold.
Stay toasty, my friends.