Glenlyon Tweed Mill has a long history of producing durable, robust and beautiful tweeds. One of the reasons our tweeds stand the test of time is due to our use of one of the most versatile natural fibres in the world – wool. We want to share some of the reasons wool is such an incredible fibre, and why we use it in all of our cloths.
Nature’s Most Versatile, Renewable and Sustainable Fibre
Wool is a protein fibre called keratin which is formed in the skin of sheep. It is considered one of the oldest known animal fibres and has long been appreciated as one of the most effective forms of all-weather protection. There is yet to be a man-made fibre produced which matches its unique properties.
The Most Reusable and Recyclable Apparel Fibre on Earth
Natural fibres are renewable, meaning that they can regrow and replace themselves. In contrast, synthetic fibres are often made using industrial processing of oil which is a non-renewable fossil resource. Sheep produce a new fleece every year, which allows wool and tweed to be continuously produced.
At the end of its life, wool can be returned to the soil, where it decomposes and releases valuable nutrients into the ground. Natural fibres like wool take a very short time to break down in the soil in comparison to synthetic fibres which degrade very slowly and can leave harmful chemicals in the earth.
Perfect in the Warmth and Cooler Weather
Wool is a capable of attracting, absorbing and retaining moisture directly from the surrounding air due to being a hygroscopic fibre. This means that wool remains comfortable to wear by absorbing water vapour and releasing it when the air is dry – working as a natural climate regulator and keeping you warm when it is cold, and cool when it is hot.
In addition, the naturally crimped shape of wool fibres form small pockets of air when tightly packed together in yarn and when woven into tweed. This unique structure allows wool to absorb and release moisture both from the surrounding air, or perspiration from the wearer without compromising its thermal efficiency. Wool has a large capacity to absorb moisture vapour next to the skin, making it extremely breathable.
The Ideal Fibre for Clothing
Because of the crimped shape of wool fibres, it is also naturally elastic allowing tweed to resist tearing and to move with you when made into a garment. As wool fibres return to their original shape even after stretching, tweed is also able to resist wrinkling and sagging when worn and so wool and tweed garments stand the test of time better than many other cloths.
These fibres have a natural waxy coating which protects and resists staining. The naturally anti-static properties of wool also means that less dust is picked up on tweed.
Wool is far more efficient than other textiles at absorbing sweat and releasing it into the air before bacteria has a chance to develop and produce unpleasant body odour which also means that your tweed garments will need cleaned much less regularly.
The Safe Choice for Upholstery Projects
Thanks to its high water and nitrogen content, wool is also naturally flame-retardant, and has a far higher ignition threshold than many other fibres. This means that it does not ignite easily and tends to self-extinguish rather than sustain a flame. It does not melt or stick to the skin, and has the added benefit of producing less noxious fumes than some fibres. This makes it a strong and reliable choice for upholstery applications.
Read more about the fire retardancy of our tweeds here
Photography by _Franmart