Stumped! Your kind assistance is most appreciated…
A reader emailed me with a conundrum, and I have a few ideas but thought I would put this out to you for suggestions, as perhaps some of you have faced a similar challenge. She says,
I am allergic to wool! I can’t even wear cashmere. Merino, alpaca, cloud soft anything–no matter how fine, soft or luxurious, any form of wool makes me break out in red spots and itch terribly. This means that the fabled chic cashmere sweater is impossible.
There is so much gorgeous wool and cashmere out there. Can you suggest anything equivalent but non-allergenic?
Readers, I can think of some options in viscose (rayon) and cotton (neither of which are as warm/light as cashmere), but other than that I’m stumped! Can you help?
~
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I work in a store that sells Lilly Pulitzer, and they make some beautiful silk/cotton blend sweaters! The Cody Cardigan is an example (the argyle is preppy, but the solids are more classic).
I second silk or silk/cotton blends. Silk/cotton is usually more casual.
I too have serious skin issues with wool but I’m able to deal with it by wearing a cotton-t or shirt underneath. A silk scarf at the neck protects one of my most prone to itch areas and turned up cuffs keep it away from likewise sensitive wrists.
Don’t forget that one important function of a scarf can be to protect you or your clothing from each other. Scarves can be laundered more easily and inexpensively than larger items and beyond their fashion presence are useful for being an inbetween layer.
I also recommend silk, with or without rayon or cotton.
Good luck to her!!
I love my cardigans, so that’s the type of sweater I immediately thought about. Two options come to mind: the Jackie sweater by J.Crew and Lands’ End’s basic cotton cardi.
Angora comes from rabbits, not sheep, so that might be an option. There would just have to not be any wool in the blend (there usually is in alpaca, BTW). My understanding is it’s the lanolin in wool that is the allergen.
yes! On the cheap side, try the Ultrasoft line by Merona at Target. I can and do wear cashmere, but bought a few of these Merona sweaters as weekend substitutes for my cashmere (because I have small kids and cook and clean on weekends) and they are great. They drape like cashmere, pill less, and are machine washable.
I also cannot wear wool (merino or otherwise) or mohair. However, I do manage cashmere as long as I wear silk underneath. I have a bunch of silk long underwear tops (from Wintersilks–no affiliation) in various colors/neck shapes/weights. They make all the difference! They don’t protect me enough from wool, but are brilliant under cashmere. Also, as GingerR said, silk scarves help around the neck. Good luck!
Wear something long sleeved in cotton, viscose, etc. under the long sleeve wool or cashmere item.
GingerR’s reply- brilliant!
Also, how about linen knit? And I don’t know how warm she needs to be, but I have two leather tops that are warm, supple and light.
Wear a long sleeved shirt with a collar under a v neck sweater. Classic!
I am sad to say that there is no substitute for wool–it is longlasting and holds its shape unlike most other fibers used for knits.
Modal, btw, is a kind of rayon–and stretches out of shape.
I wonder if your reader might try: 1. an undershirt, with 2. some vintage cashmere. The vintage is of higher quality than most available today, and so may not itch.
So sad! I LOVE wool.
Here’s another vote for long-sleeved silk turtlenecks or or cotton tees + silk scarves at the neck under a good-quality, softest cashmere sweater (borrow one from a friend or buy one cheap in a thrift store for the test.) I have gotten a bit itchier from wool over time, too, and find that protecting the tender skin on chin and throat is most important. Good luck!
C.
I, too, cannot wear wool in any form. If you have a genuine allergy, all the undergarments in the world won’t make a difference–and there’s nothing so awful as wool-rash. Ugh!
Cotton’s great. Acrylic-blend sweaters can be really soft and cuddly. And any kind of natural fiber–hemp, linen, flax. All lovely.
I guess I’m a little puzzled about the poster’s question…sweaters come in all the same fabrics that other garments do?
As many others have said, silk is the best, but look around for silk/bamboo. It’s my go-to luxe yarn for knitting my own stuff, and there are some merchants that offer bamboo knits. It has a lovely sheen and feel.
I love the silk knit tshirts from Pendleton of all places.
Leslie
I cannot wear any wool, even cashmere. Or angora. Undergarments rarely help, although I’ve found that I can wear cashmere if I wear a cotton t-shirt underneath. I’ve found a silk/rayon blend to be good, or silk/bamboo, silk/cotton. But I have a hard time finding good garments in these fabrics/knits. And so I usually end up wearing acrylic, which looks nice for a short while, but doesn’t have the lasting power of wool.
The shocking truth
There are some very finely made garments made of polyester. (I’ve been fooled several times when looking at the tags) Now, I know what you are thinking – “How could you even write the word!”, but after all, think of all the dear little polys who gave their lives so that people with allergies could dress fashionably.
I am also unbearably sensitive to any wool, fine cashmere with a heavy silk or cotton T shirt works OK. While nothing is warmer than good wool, I am finding that I am most comfortable with a light to medium weight silk T shirt under almost everything. My skin is so sensitive and during the winter everything is irritating. I sew and line mostly everything to maintain the garments shape and to increase the level of comfort. Even sweater knits will get a lining if there is the least bit of scratchiness.
We wear a lot of silk/cotton in Texas because cashmere is too hot to wear in our climate!
I have one word for you: bamboo! It makes for unbelievably soft fiber, baby clothes and blankets and now even clothes for grow ups. I found this website but it might be as stylish as you’d like it to be…http://www.bambooclothes.com/ but there are probably many others.
I agree with anonymous and Ruth I was also going to suggest wearing a long sleeved silk T shirt or vest so that the wool does not touch the skin. I think Hanro so some lovely ones.
Silk is a good call. There is also something Faliero Sarti uses in those *gorgeous* scarves, modal, used in a blend with cashmere or silk…wonder if there’s something there for your reader? It adds to a lovely feel and drape.
Everyone here is so smart! I’d also say silk/cotton and bamboo:).
I’ve always been very impressed with Lands End mail order cotton knitwear. It looks like wool and their winter collections are warm. They often do a cotton equivalent to their cashmere garments so you can pick up a chic twinset or cable cardigan in cotton. They are reasonably priced too.
If you think cotton just would not be warm enough, then you can wear silk jersey underwear to add an insulating layer – and that is REALLY luxurious.
Please don’t laugh at this suggestion, or contact PETA, but living Down Under, possum wool has become increasingly popular. A doctor I knew who was allergic to everything invested in a possum cardigan – loved it and no problems. However, your reader would have to investigate. Check out this New Zealand company – they have some lovely things: http://www.noblewilde.co.nz/. Good luck!!!
I’d look for “vegan” options, like LPC suggested. Bamboo, soy, linen, etc. You may need to learn to knit, which is not a bad thing. I love it.
I, too, am wool allergic. I own some cashmere sweaters which I can wear only with a cotton or poly t under and only if it doesn’t touch my skin anywhere (Majestic t shirts from Nord’s being my favorites, and simple Gap cotton long sleeve t’s being another): my solution: shop heavily for spring, summer when I can easily find cotton and linen, and the shops are wool free: just look for heavier sweaters and winter colors (black, brown). And remember to buy extra for the winter months. I dread the fall clothing lines–pretty things I will be allergic to.