Keep Your Itchy Knits. This Winter, I’m Grabbing All Things Merino Wool

Sure, the holidays are cool, but that’s not why I’ve been humming “It’s the most wonderful time of the year” so much recently. Instead, the melody comes to mind every time I go through my sweater pile, trying to figure out which one layers best over an oxford shirt, what color plays nicest with my corduroys, and which combo lets me unlock super professor mode when I slip on some chukka boots. But one decision I don’t really have to make these days? Which sweater fabric to choose.

That’s because this winter, I’ve bet the farm on merino wool. It’s the fiber that actually delivers on softness and breathability, without the bulk, itch, or cost of other sweater fabrics. To break it down further: Cotton keeps me chilly, cashmere costs a fortune, and the various kinds of lambswool sweaters—shetlands, fishermen—simply itch whenever they touch my skin.

And while many others would turn to synthetic fabrics at this point, those are only imitations. Merino just is. The fibers are finer than standard wool, giving it that soft-on-skin magic. It’s naturally moisture-wicking, warm in the cold, cool in the heat, odor-resistant, and keeps its shape even after washing thanks to a little built-in elasticity.

To get you on my level, I’ve rounded up 16 of the best merino pieces out there. They’ll cover every corner of your winter wardrobe, and honestly, you could build a whole seasonal capsule from them. Hell, I know I have.