merino-wool-feature

A Brief Case Study of Merino Wool

As golf fashion writers, we get hit with fabric jargon all the time. Names, functions, content, weaves, performance applications, features, benefits, and the list goes on.

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We’ve all seen sweaters and other clothing like Smartwool base layers made from Merino wool. Wikipedia defines Merino wool as one of the most historically relevant and economically influential breeders of sheep, much prized for its wool.

Wiki continues – The breed originated in southwestern Spain but since the end of the 18th century, it was further refined in New Zealand and Australia, giving rise to the modern Merino. It’s regarded as having some of the finest and softest wool of any sheep.

merino wool baruffa

So then what is Zegna Baruffa Lane Borgosesia Merino? We went to knitting-world.com for the answer.

In the world of fashion, there’s Merino wool and then there’s Zegna Baruffa extra fine Merino. Zegna Baruffa Lane Borgosesia, (a name derived after the merger of two knit companies in Italy), is the world leader in the production of fine yarns for top quality knitwear.

Baruffa fabric sweaters are made from a yarn spun only in Italy. It is the only facility in the world to produce these fibers. It is created with a technology designed to improve the performance of the yarns.

merino wool lane borgosesia

An air spun yarn makes the fibers lighter and more comfortable because they are filled with air. Baruffa yarn weighs less than half of any other yarn with the same count or ply.

Yet Baruffa yarn has a weight-to-warmth ratio unmatched by any other material. It’s soft but extremely durable with enhanced breathability. Also, you can layer it in September and wear on its own in May.

The soft yarns give you the drape, feel and distinction of a perfectly fitting sweater that naturally moves and breathes. Kind of like an animal’s coat, right?

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Knit factories and other fabric houses get certified by the Italian government as having a unique fabrication that is only created in one place such as Zegna Baruffa Lane Borgosesia. So if you get an article of clothing with a hang tag that says it’s ZBLB extra fine Merino, then you know it’s legit.

Good thing, because you’ll pay the price for it as well.

Now you know.

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