Wearing Wool & Cashmere
The Benefits of Wearing Natural Wool and Cashmere.
At Voya, we use a range of natural fibres, including Merino Wool and Cashmere.
Merino wool comes from the ancient breed of Merino Sheep, known to have the softest and finest wool of any sheep. Cashmere comes from cashmere goats or pashmina goats, which originate from the Himalayan region of Kashmir. Cashmere has a very silky and indulgent feeling.
Natural fibres offer many health, well-being, practical and environmental sustainability benefits, while being great for indoor and outdoor adventures. Here are a few reasons why.
Temperature Regulating
When the temperature is hot, Merino Wool and Cashmere will absorb moisture vapours from your body, which will then evaporate and keep you nice and cool. During winter, the moisture vapours will condense inside the fibre. This gives off heat and keeps you warm. This built-in natural temperature regulating system means that Merino Wool and Cashmere are comfortable choices for all seasons, as well as travel between climatic zones.
Good for Sensitive Skin
Both Merino Wool and Cashmere are super soft and are therefore great for people with sensitive skin or allergies. They are known as hypoallergenic fibres, which treat your skin gently and with great care.
Anti-Bacterial Properties
The antibacterial properties of Merino Wool and Cashmere mean they remain free from odours and do not need to be washed as frequently, compared to synthetic fibres. They can also be laundered at lower temperatures, which reduces energy use and their overall environmental footprint.
UV Resistant
There is a natural UV barrier within the fabric of Merino Wool and Cashmere, which keeps you safe from the harmful UV radiation from the sun. Other fibres, like synthetics and cotton, do not offer the same protection.
Biodegradable
As natural fibres, Merino Wool and Cashmere are completely biodegradable and will decompose in soil. Therefore, at the end of use, they will give nutrients back into the earth and do not need to contribute to harmful waste streams. However, when cared for properly, these natural fibres can last a lifetime, so most people treasure their Merino Wool and Cashmere garments for as long as they can.
Fire Resistant
The chemical structure of Merino Wool and Cashmere mean that they are naturally flame resistant. This means they won’t melt on the skin and are less likely to cause harm to the wearer.
Sustainability
Apart from being naturally biodegradable, choosing natural fibres avoids the use of synthetic fibres. Each wash of a synthetic garment releases hundreds of thousands of micro-plastic particles into the ocean. Micro-plastic particles are also found in the rain and soil of remote natural landscapes and cities. Garments made from natural fibres shed less fibre when washed, while any fibres released will naturally biodegrade, rather than accumulating for generations. This is another reason why we choose natural fibres at Voya.
These are a few of the many reasons why Merino Wool and Cashmere have been worn for centuries. Their softness, warmth, breathability and other beneficial qualities, provide a luxurious, elegant and comfortable experience for the wearer, all-year-round.
Our Favourite Cashmere & Merino Pieces
