In an age of fast fashion, plastic-based fabrics, and chemical additives, it’s easy to overlook one of the most important questions we can ask about the clothes we wear:
What’s touching our skin every day and what is it made of?
The answer may surprise you. Most modern garments are made from manmade materials like polyester, nylon, or acrylic fabrics derived from fossil fuels. These synthetics are cheap to produce, widely available, and often marketed as “performance” fabrics. But they come with tradeoffs: from microplastic pollution to trapped moisture and concerning health risks.
At Ramblers Way, we believe it’s time to return to the wisdom of natural fibers, especially wool. Not only is wool a renewable and biodegradable material, it’s also one of the most skin-friendly and high-performing fabrics you can wear.
Here’s why.
The Rise (and Risk) of Synthetic Clothing
Synthetic fabrics exploded in popularity during the 20th century for a simple reason: cost. Petroleum-based fibers could be mass-produced quickly and cheaply. Today, over 60% of all clothing is made from synthetics like:
- Polyester (made from polyethylene terephthalate, the same plastic used in bottles)
- Acrylic (often used in sweaters and fleece)
- Spandex/Elastane (found in activewear and stretch garments)
But these materials don’t breathe. They trap heat and moisture against the skin, often leading to discomfort, irritation, and odor. Worse, they shed microplastics with every wash, polluting our water and entering our food chain.
And there’s another risk that isn’t always visible: chemical exposure.
The Hidden Danger: Endocrine Disruptors in Your Clothing
Many synthetic garments are treated with finishing agents, plasticizers, flame retardants, or stain-resistant coatings. Some of which are known or suspected endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs).
EDCs can interfere with the body’s hormonal systems and have been linked to health issues including:
- Reproductive problems
- Thyroid dysfunction
- Metabolic disorders
- Increased risk of certain cancers
These chemicals may leach from fabrics during wear, especially when combined with heat, sweat, or friction, making everyday clothing a quiet but constant source of exposure. Activewear, intimate apparel, and water-resistant synthetics are among the most commonly treated categories.
When worn directly on the skin, synthetic fibers may do more than just feel uncomfortable—they can compromise long-term health.
The Case for Wool: Nature’s Engineered Fiber
Wool has been worn for thousands of years—for good reason. It’s not just for winter or thick sweaters. Fine wool (like the kinds used in Ramblers Way garments) is breathable, soft, and adaptable to all seasons, including summer.
Here’s what makes it special:
1. Breathability and Moisture Management
Wool fibers are naturally porous. They allow air to circulate and pull sweat away from the skin in vapor form, helping you stay dry and comfortable.
2. Temperature Regulation
Wool adapts to your body temperature and the surrounding environment. It keeps you warm in the cold and cool in the heat, a phenomenon known as thermoregulation.
3. Odor Resistance
Wool’s antimicrobial properties help it resist odor-causing bacteria. That means fewer washes, less water usage, and longer wear.
4. No Microplastics or Chemical Finishes
Wool is 100% natural, biodegradable, and doesn’t require synthetic chemical coatings to perform. It breaks down safely in nature and respects your skin's delicate balance.
Wool Feels Different—Because It Is Different
There’s a common misconception that wool is itchy or rough. That may have been true in the past, especially with lower-grade wool, but today’s fine wool fabrics are incredibly soft and often rival cashmere.
At Ramblers Way, we use premium worsted wool and superfine jersey knits that feel smooth, light, and breathable. These garments aren’t just skin-friendly; they’re skin-smart.
And because we never blend our wool with synthetics, you won’t find hidden plastics, chemical finishes, or compromised quality in anything we make.
Why It Matters What You Wear
Your skin is your body’s largest organ. It absorbs chemicals, reacts to moisture, and responds to heat and friction. What you wear every day, all day affects not just how you feel, but how your body functions.
Natural fabrics like wool support your skin by:
- Maintaining a balanced temperature
- Managing moisture and airflow
- Reducing exposure to synthetics and hormone-disrupting chemicals
By choosing wool, you're making a decision that honors your health, your comfort, and your values.
A More Conscious Way to Dress
The fashion industry is at a turning point. As consumers become more aware of the environmental and health impacts of synthetic clothing, the demand for natural, ethical alternatives is growing.
At Ramblers Way, we’re proud to be part of that shift. Our garments are made from 100% wool, spun and sewn in the USA by skilled makers. We don’t use synthetic blends, shortcuts, or chemical treatments.
Just clean, honest clothing, crafted the right way.
Wool isn’t old-fashioned. It’s forward-thinking.
It outperforms synthetic fabrics in nearly every way that matters: comfort, breathability, sustainability, and safety. And it does so without polluting the planet or compromising your well-being.
If you’re ready to rethink what’s in your closet and what’s touching your skin, wool is a powerful, natural place to start.