Softest Clothing Guide for Winter – Wool vs Other Fabrics

Are you after really soft clothing?

Then have no fear, we’ve got the guide to your winter garments here!

Get the warmth, without sacrificing comfort, using the choices below.

knitted jumper

Cotton – is it the softest?

You may be thinking that cotton is the softest clothing, but actually cashmere is a lot softer than cotton.

That being said, for a lot of people a 100% cotton t-shirt is the best way to get a soft item into your everyday wardrobe. The benefits of cotton are:

  • Strong fabric
  • Can be washed using a machine
  • Soft to the touch
  • Cheap

So when you’re buying everyday staples, or clothing that you will wear and wash frequently, then cotton is a very good option.

However if you’re looking for premium fashionable winter wear, then see the next section.

Cashmere vs Alpaca vs Merino Wool

baggy jumper

There is a big debate online about which type of wool is best for a jumper.

I personally think that it comes down to a few different factors.

Cashmere is the finest of the woolen types, but it’s also the most expensive and fragile. It can be considered for smart clothing, such as a jumper or scarf, that comes into contact directly with sensitive skin.

However alpaca would be best for a warm woolly jumper that’s designed to snuggle up in on cold winter days. The fabric is soft and warm, while also being very durable. However this is also not that cheap to buy.

Merino wool is almost like a “best of both” of the two above. It is smart, soft and reasonably priced in most high street stores. You can find merino wool jumpers for men and women in most fashion outlets, which would look great when combined with a blazer or neckerchief.

You Should Remember Irritants

Just because a garment is soft, doesn’t mean that it won’t irritate your skin. If you’re prone to sensitive skin, then make sure you test different types before buying, to ensure you don’t come out in a rash (the big bang theory episode with the itchy wool jumper anyone??). Most shops will have a changing room where you can test the effects in private before buying.

Shopping for Soft Clothing

Like I mentioned above, merino wool is often the best middle of the road jumper for those looking at a fashionable and cheap option. If you have the money for it and don’t mind caring for the garment a little more, then cashmere would be your best option.

Nice Ways To Remember a Lost Loved One

Losing a loved one can leave you feeling alone and lost, but finding a way to remember and honour them can often bring a sense of continued connection to the experience, and help you to continue your life in a way that seems both respectful, and more hopeful.

There are many ways to achieve this, regardless of the burial method, surrounding traditions, and other factors that may seem to limit your choices.

1. Dedicate a memorial vine

A popular gesture, especially if the loved one was a wine enthusiast or avid gardener, is to dedicate a vine to the departed. There is a company, called Memorial Vine, that can arrange dedication of a vine within one of their vineyards, either in the UK or France. Each year, on a day of your choosing, you will receive a boxed bottle of wine made from the fruit of that vine, as well as a bespoke letter of dedication. This is a great way to keep the memory alive with an annual reminder, and prices start at £65, so it is well within the budget of many households.

2. Dedicate a memorial bench

Another popular gesture is the dedication of a memorial garden bench. Not only can the bench be located in a beautiful spot, but it can be enjoyed both by you, and by the many people who might pause there for a rest during a walk or run. Some people place the bench in their own garden, where it is readily accessible for your own use, and for sitting and remembering times you’d had with the departed loved one.

All it takes is a bench purchased from a local garden centre, and a plaque – which can be affixed to it with a couple of screws. If you don’t want to (or are unable to) do this yourself, there are services that will do it for you. Many county councils have schemes where you can sponsor a bench in a park for around fifteen years. It allows a place for people to pay their respects, and then is freed up for another person after fifteen years in place.

You can also consider a garden love seat.

3. Plant a tree to remember a life lived

Planting a tree is another popular way to honour a loved one, both at birth and when life has ended. It is a wonderful symbol of love and life, and of the cycle of life. Choose a blossoming tree and you can bring some of the cuttings into the house throughout the season, remembering the loved one while brightening the home.

If you don’t have a place to plant a tree, many hospices have remembrance meadows where you can plant a tree and include a message placard. They often include these dedications on their websites too.

You could start with plug plants.

6. Keep a loved one’s accessory to wear

Traditionally, one way to remember a lost relative is to keep one of their personal items, either using it yourself, or displaying it in your home. Pocket watches, jewellery, favourite books, and other items are popular choices. There are professionals who will help you find the best way to display such objects, including articles of clothing or very fragile items.

8. Name a rose

For under £10, you can get a ‘name a rose’ pack, in a gift tin, that allows you to plant some unique roses and have the name of your choosing registered with the International Rose naming Registry, regularly submitted to the British Library. It is a lasting tribute to a loved one.

People who have had roses named after them include Ingrid Bergman, Bing Crosby, Barbara Streisand, and Paul McCartney.

Life Is A Garden Party

It happened more than two thousand years ago
according to the true story of old
that wise men presented gifts to baby Jesus.
Costly gifts of gold, myrrh and frankincense.

Gifts meant for a King
these wise men did bring
as they came and bowed down to worship Him.
Today we sing about this in a hymn:

We three kings of orient are,
bearing gifts we traverse afar –
field and fountain,
moor and mountain
following yonder star…

To the Christ Child they presented their gifts
after traveling over sandy drifts.
From the far east they came
to the town of Bethlehem.

Today we give gifts at Christmas
because of their example to us
from these wise men who brought royal presents
to the King who still lives in our presence.

Have you thought about what gifts you could give to Jesus
as you prepare to celebrate another Christmas?
Not costly gifts but divine gifts.
Gifts that will lift someone’s spirit.

C Comfort the Comfortless
H Help the Helpless
R Right Delights
I Imitate Christ
S Surrender Selfishness for Selflessness
T Thank the Thoughtful
M Meditate on Memorization
A Abandon Abundance
S Share the Savior

C Comfort the Comfortless
So many people are in bondage –
to depression, addiction, or rage.
They are searching for an answer.
The answer is found in the Savior.

H Help the Helpless
Yes, bad things do happen to good people
rendering many good people unable.
Be an encourager to someone today.
Encouragement chases the blues away.

R Right Delights
Does your inner attitude
match your outer attitude?
Replace this fight
with right delights.

I Imitate Christ
When Jesus was reviled
he did not revile.
Can we say the same?
Or do we inflict pain?

S Surrender Selfishness for Selflessness
We live in a me-me-me generation
never being content with our station.
If our focus is on others
selfishness will never bother.

T Thank the Thoughtful
Have you ever thought to thank
those who everyday make
our lives a little easier?
Do so before you get busier.

M Mediate on Memorizaiton
With Scripture to guide you
you’ll live by God’s rules.
Peace, joy and contentment follow
when you memorize and follow.

A Abandon Abundance
Are you caught up in materialism?
It’s another form of idolism.
Realize God will supply.
He even likes to surprise.

S Share the Savior
Christmas is a perfect time
to share the Savior so take time
to pass on the good news to those you come in contact with.
Sharing the Savior is the most perfect Chrismas gift to give.

On coming to the house,
they saw the child with his mother Mary,
and they bowed down and worshipped him.
Then they opened their treasures
and presented him with gifts of
gold and of incense and of myrrh.
Matthew 2:11