Merino: a kids wardrobe super power
The Little Magnolia merino wool clothing range has become a staple in our home in recent years, and for a good reason. Surprisingly, we find that many parents shy away from kids' merino clothes because they're concerned it's high maintenance, could shrink in the wash, or could be scratchy on the skin.
But merino wool is such a versatile and natural fibre with so many benefits when it comes to dressing your little ones. Here are just a few reasons why you should consider dressing your children in merino wool clothing.
Super soft and comfortable
Merino wool is incredibly soft and gentle on even the most sensitive skin, making it an excellent choice for kids' clothes. It has a finer diameter than other types of wool, which makes it feel less scratchy and more comfortable against the skin. This means that children are less likely to experience any itching or discomfort, making it perfect for all-day wear.
Breathable and moisture-wicking
Merino wool is a naturally breathable fabric that helps to regulate your child's body temperature. It's able to trap air between its fibres, providing insulation to keep your little ones warm on chilly days. At the same time, it's also moisture-wicking, which means it can absorb up to 30% of its weight in water before feeling damp. This helps to keep your child dry and comfortable, even if they're sweating or playing in the rain.
Hypoallergenic baby!
Merino wool is a hypoallergenic material, which makes it a great choice for children's clothing. It's less likely to cause an allergic reaction compared to synthetic fibres as it doesn't contain any harsh chemicals or irritants that can aggravate sensitive skin. This makes it a perfect choice for babies and children with eczema or other skin conditions.
Durable weave and long-lasting colour
Merino wool is a strong and durable material that can withstand the wear and tear of everyday use. It's also naturally elastic, which means that it can stretch and move with your child without losing its shape or becoming misshapen. We’ve also found it to be more colour fast than fabrics with printed colours and patterns. This makes it a great investment for parents as it can last for several years and be passed down to younger siblings. We’ve noticed that after a winter of regular wearing, the Alice Merino Dress still looks great and is good enough for the next child to grow into.
Incredibly easy to care for
Despite its many benefits, merino wool is surprisingly easy to care for. Most items of children's clothing made from merino wool can be machine-washed on a gentle cycle and hung to dry. Unlike other types of wool, it doesn't require any special treatments or dry cleaning. This makes it a practical and convenient choice for busy parents.
Effortlessly stylish
Dressing your kids in merino wool clothing is not just practical but also so timelessly beautiful. Without being “on-trend”, merino wool is elegant and stylish, making your kids look effortlessly designer. Our girls' merino dresses, unisex pants, tops and beanies are perfect for casual days at home and are easy to dress up for special events. They’re such a staple in our house and are put to the test from playing at the park to dressing up for a party.
Trans-seasonal — not just for winter
Because merino is so breathable, we dress our little girl in merino right from early autumn to late spring. In spring and autumn you can get away with just one layer that you know they’ll be comfortable in all day, with maybe just a sweatshirt over top in the cooler times of day. Then in winter, layering merino with singlets, tops and outer layers (ideally wool again). In this way, one merino top, for example, can be worn for 70% of the year. For us, merino makes it easy to build a long lasting capsule wardrobe.
Perfect for kids sleep-wear too
You might think that putting your kids to bed in merino wool pyjamas would make them wake up in the middle of the night hot and sweaty — but you’d be mistaken. While that may be the case with fleece and other man-made fibres, merino acts differently. Merino wool not only keeps kids warm through the night, it also regulates their temperature, cooling them down when they get hot, and drawing away sweat so they don’t get too cold if they do in-fact have a temperature. It works because the fibres contract when it gets cold (as air does) and expand when it gets hot, allowing for air flow. This means that our little girl rarely wakes in the night feeling too hot or too cold. This is why we think of merino as our kids’ wardrobe super-power!
So, if you’re not convinced yet, I don’t know what else to say. This is already such a long article — you’d be right in thinking that we just cant get enough of merino. We wear it ourselves! But honestly, dressing your children in merino wool clothing has so so so many benefits:
soft and comfortable feel
natural moisture-wicking
hypoallergenic properties
long-lasting durability
easy washing
beautifully stylish
trans-seasonal
sleep worthy
Shop Little Magnolia’s merino wool clothing range for your kids and enjoy its many benefits for years and years.
Alice Merino Dress in Forest Colour
Merino Rose Top with flutter in Ginergnut merino
Merino Leggings in Forest Colour
Olive Top in Dusky Orchid Merino
Olive Top in Forest Merino