“Itchy just thinking about it”

That’s what one of you wrote back after my fall packing list email a few weeks back. She wasn’t the only one.

Every time I mention merino or cashmere, a few of you reply with some version of: love the list, can’t wear half of it.

Meanwhile I’ve been over here recommending merino and cashmere like it’s my job. (It kind of is 😅)

So today’s email is for you.

Same goal as always: warm, cute, and light enough for a carry-on. Zero wool.

Why those fabrics feel so itchy.

Quick fabric lesson first. Wool is the fiber that comes from sheep. Merino is wool too, from one breed of sheep with much finer fibers, which is why it's used for base layers. Cashmere comes from goats, and it's even finer. That's why it feels the softest of the three.

All of them have tiny fiber ends that press into your skin. The finer the fiber, the less you feel it. But for some of you, even the finest ones are too much.

Skin also gets drier and more sensitive as we get older. So a sweater you wore happily years ago can suddenly feel unbearable. You're not being fussy. Your skin changed.

Why I keep recommending them anyway.

Wool does three jobs at once. It’s very warm for how thin it is. It keeps you comfortable when the temperature changes. And it doesn’t hold smells. That last one matters most for travel.

No single fabric does all three jobs. So we split them into three thin layers. Same suitcase space, no itch.

🥵 These swaps are also great if you tend to overheat. Cotton, Tencel and silk are lighter and more breathable, and thin layers are easy to peel off when you get hot.

I’m not one of you. I’m always cold, which is why I wear the warmest of the warmest LOL

Instead of the merino base layer:

This is the layer that touches your skin, so it matters the most.

1️⃣ Silk. Thin, warm for how light it is, and it feels amazing on the skin. This is the closest thing to merino in terms of warmth without bulk. This silk layer from L.L.Bean is a great example.

The downside: it needs gentle washing, and you won’t get as many wears out of it as merino.

2️⃣ Uniqlo Heattech. Synthetic, very thin, very affordable, and it layers under anything. Here’s the one with ZERO cashmere.

The downside: synthetics hold onto smells faster than anything else on this list. Also check the label, because one Heattech version has cashmere blended in. (sneaky)

​They also have leggings! They're very thin so they're easy to layer under pants.

3️⃣ Tencel, modal, cotton or bamboo long sleeves. Soft, breathable, and no itch. Not as warm as silk or Heattech, but perfect as a first layer under a sweater. Some examples from the brand Organic Basics here.

One plus: they stay fresh longer than Heattech.

💡My tip: pack one extra base layer. They weigh almost nothing, and it makes up for the fewer wears.

Instead of cashmere sweaters:

A thin cotton sweater is NOT as warm as a thin cashmere one. That's one thing to keep in mind.

So for you, the sweater stops being the warm layer and becomes the cute layer. The warmth comes from what’s under it and what’s over it.

Skip the chunky knits (they eat your suitcase). Search for “fine gauge” or “lightweight” cotton instead.

• ​This cotton sweater from House of Bruar is a beautiful option. I recently got this one from them for my trip to Italy (mine is cashmere, though). I’m sharing this brand because they have way more colors and styles than Quince.
• ​Lands’ End Supima cotton is another good option: smooth, thin, and it folds flat.
• From Quince, I’d look at this cotton turtleneck (I have it and love it). It’s less warm than cashmere but still dressy and easy to layer.
• This cotton knit blazer is my favorite alternative to a cardigan when you want to look put together. Heads up: it’s not that warm on its own and the sleeves are 3/4. Think of it as the polished layer over your silk or Heattech. Add a pendant necklace and ponte pants and you're golden!
• And of course, there are cotton cardigans!​

The down jacket is not optional.

If wool is off the table, you WILL need a down jacket. This is where your warmth comes from.

• ​A puffer vest. It’s so light but surprisingly warm, and it packs down super small. For more coverage, this packable puffer jacket comes in beautiful colors! I have it in boring olive green 😅 but there are more options now! And for colder trips, definitely go with a longer length. (that last one is a true winter coat, not for fall)
• Don't wear down? This featherless long puffer uses synthetic fill instead of feathers. I have it in Burgundy I'm testing it for fall/winter in Italy soon!

The formula: silk layer + cotton sweater + puffer vest + jacket. Take one off at a time as the day warms up and be ready to store your layers inside your day backpack.

🧣 The small stuff.

• Wrap: the Zestt Organics Dreamsoft Travel Scarf is 100% organic cotton, machine washable, and big enough to work as a scarf, a shawl or a plane blanket.
• Legs: wear tights under pants or skirts.
• And don't forget a nice beanie! (read labels, these usually have some cashmere)
• Socks are the hardest swap. Most warm socks have wool in them, so read the label and look for thermal socks in cotton or synthetic blends. If wool socks are all you have, try them over tights. With a layer in between, you might not feel it.

🔎 Read the label (every time)

Wool hides in places you wouldn’t expect:

• “Cotton cashmere” sweaters. They sound like cotton, but they’re not for you.
• One version of Heattech can have cashmere.
• “Wool blend” pants, coats and coat linings.
• Socks and tights. Merino loves to hide there.
• On the tag, wool can show up as merino, lambswool, cashmere, mohair or angora. They're all the same itchy family.

If 5% wool bothers you, 5% counts.

Two more things before your trip. Wash everything new before you wear it, because dyes and finishes can irritate skin too. And wear each new piece around the house for a couple of hours (neck included!) before it earns a spot in your suitcase.

✨ Not itchy? Lucky you!

Not everyone reading this has a problem with wool. If merino and cashmere feel fine on your skin, they’re still the best fabrics for a fall carry-on. Here’s what I wear.

• This is my cashmere crewneck. I have it in multiple colors. It packs very small for a sweater, and I can wear it multiple times before washing. Runs TTS. I wear size S.
• For the base layer, I wear both this merino long sleeve from Quince and this one from Unbound Merino. One tip: never layer a dark one under a light colored sweater 😉

If you try one of these swaps, hit reply and tell me how it went. I want to know what works for you so this list keeps getting better.

And thank you so much for reaching out with questions. I don't take for granted that you trust me with all this stuff!

And it's because of you that I can continue to improve this newsletter. This space exists to help YOU! So it's always good to know what questions you have.

Thanks for being here ♥️

XO,

Aimara

Continue reading on the blog - I've been sharing new articles every week:

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