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Why You Can Wear A Yak Wool Sweater Every Day

What makes yak wool comfortable every day, how long it goes between washes, and where one sweater can take you.

A shaggy brown yak with curved horns grazing on dry grass

What Makes Yak Wool The Best Sweater Material?

It regulates your temperature, it resists odor, and it comes from fiber that yaks shed each spring.

Before I knew anything about wool, I put my cashmere sweater in the dryer by accident, and it came out looking like it belonged to a doll. I was pissed.

After the sweater shrinking incident, I decided to learn more about the materials in my clothes and how to increase their longevity.

In my research, I learned a ton about wool. It’s truly the best material you could ask for in clothes. Wool gives our body the superpower of staying comfortable no matter what the day has in store.

But it wasn’t until I started my research for this post that I read about the benefits of using yak wool.

First of all, yak wool is highly sustainable. Collecting yak wool doesn’t use up a ton of land and water: yaks are raised by nomadic herders in the Himalayan Mountains. When spring comes around, yaks naturally shed their winter khullu, which is collected and spun into yarn.

Also, yak wool keeps your body warm. And cool? It’s true! Yak wool is an active fiber, meaning that it temperature regulates. If you think about it, yaks have to survive big temperature swings on the Tibetan Plateau, where Oliver Charles sources their wool.

Aaaand yak wool has a number of unique moisture management properties that allow it to resist bacterial build-up, the cause of odor. It also wicks away moisture so you’ll never have to worry about getting caught in the rain while you’re out for a hike.

A herd of dark yaks grazing a dry high plain below snow-capped mountains, a herder in red among them
The surface of an undyed waffle knit at close range, the natural taupe-grey of yak down before it is dyed

How Long Can You Wear A Yak Wool Sweater Without Washing?

You can literally wear the Oliver Charles’ yak wool sweaters for weeks without washing, which is perfect for outfit repeating and simplifying things. Here’s a typical day in my life.

First, I open my eyes. Duh.

Next, I make my coffee and sift through my clothes, pretending that I’m gonna wear anything other than my Oliver Charles sweater with jeans. Yeah right.

At this point, I’m ready to hop on Rhonda (my road bike) and head to work. Riding Rhonda used to be such a fiasco. I had to get dressed just for the commute, then change out of my sweaty top when I got into the office.

Thankfully, those days are gone forever!

Turns out my Oliver Charles sweater doesn’t absorb sweat and create odors, so after I roll up to work and skid in a puddle that accidentally sprays my coworkers, I can simply lock my bike up and get on with my morning without the hassle of changing.

A woman in a burgundy wide-brimmed hat and a burgundy vest over a Light Grey sweater and jeans, taking a mirror selfie in a hallway
A navy waffle knit sweater folded on a wooden desk beside a laptop and a water bottle

Where Can You Wear A Yak Wool Sweater?

I can’t think of a time, place, or activity a quality wool sweater isn’t perfect for.

My favorite outdoor sport is climbing: living in Salt Lake City is a dream because I can throw my climbing gear in the car and be in the mountains 15 minutes later.

I wear my Oliver Charles sweater while I’m warming up or belaying my partner, then stuff it in my gear bag when I’m ready to climb.

Later, when I’m headed out for a wild night of book clubbing, I like to layer my sweater over a loose tee and easily enhance it with accessories like my classic wool felt hat for a cool, casual look.

You can’t go wrong with a high-quality yak wool sweater. I seriously wear mine everywhere and I don’t have to worry about being too delicate with it while I’m adventuring.

I dress it up for the office and take it on weekend trips as well.

Every time I put my Oliver Charles sweater on, I know I’m helping the planet, wearing something I’ll never have to get rid of, and supporting a slow fashion movement I believe in.

A woman with blonde hair outdoors in a teal quarter-zip sweater with the zip pulled up to the collar, leafy branches and string lights behind her
Close up, two hands folding back the cuff of a Lavender Crew Neck sweater

Which Of Our Sweaters Is Made For Every Day?

The All-Season Sweaters are the everyday ones: a lighter knit you can keep on all day, indoors and out. The Winter Sweaters are heavier and warmer, for the days you spend out in the cold.

Fresh For Days

Resists odor, so one sweater can carry you through the week.

Light But Warm

40% warmer than sheep’s wool, enough that a thin layer is all a cold commute needs.

Soft On Skin

Worn all day next to the skin, as fine as Grade A cashmere.

Breathable

Lets out the warmth you build up walking, and you arrive comfortable.

Easy Care

Machine washable in the All-Season line, so the rare wash takes no extra work.

Easy To Style

Dresses up for work or down for the weekend, which means it goes with most of what you own.

Everyday Yak Wool Sweater FAQ

Can You Wear A Wool Sweater Every Day?

Yes. The same sweater can go several days running, and all it needs between wears is a night on a hanger to air out.

Does Wool Smell If You Wear It A Lot?

No. Odor comes from sweat that sits on the skin and in the fabric, and wool draws that moisture away, so a wool sweater still smells clean well into the week. A polyester top is the opposite: it holds odor and needs washing after every wear.

Is A Yak Wool Sweater Too Warm To Wear Every Day?

No. Yak wool breathes, so you can keep it on in a heated office. For wearing every day, our All-Season Sweaters are the lighter of our two yak wool lines.

Every good wardrobe starts with owning less and owning better.

Shop Yak Wool