Two finenesses, four fabrics: how we chose them
The first note in our diary. Why micron-è starts with two declared finenesses, which fabrics we chose and what we cannot say yet.
It starts with the fabric
On our waitlist page we promised to tell you how micron-è is being developed. We are starting with the choice that comes before all the others: the fabric. It decides the hand, the weight, the way the garment drapes and the way you will wear it.
Why fineness
A micron measures the diameter of the wool fibre: the lower the number, the finer the fibre and the softer it feels on the skin. It is also a figure that can be declared and compared. That is why we put it in the names of our lines, and for each one we declare the average fineness.
Why fineness matters, with sources, is explained on Merinouniversity.
Two lines, two different hands
Line 15 is an extrafine merino with an average fineness of 15 microns: the finest in the range, fluid and silky. Line 17 is a Super 120's merino with an average fineness of 17.5 microns, a classic reference for fine merino: it has more body and lends itself to more weights and more styles.
They are not a basic version and a premium one. They are two different choices, each with its own garments.
Four fabrics, a weight for every use
We chose four fabrics, all in 100% virgin wool:
- extrafine jersey at 144 g/m² (average fineness 15 microns), for the Line 15 crew-neck T-shirt;
- extrafine piqué at 211 g/m² (average fineness 15 microns), for the Line 15 polo, more structured;
- Super 120's jersey at 150 g/m², Line 17 · 150: the lighter of the two, for warm months and for wearing under a jacket without adding weight;
- Super 120's jersey at 195 g/m², Line 17 · 195: more body, a crisper drape, the most versatile for every season.
No added treatments
We do not add treatments to the fabric: softness and comfort come from the fibre and its fineness. There are no synthetic fibres and no elastane; the stretch is the natural stretch of wool. For the same reason we give no figures on thermal performance: we have not measured them on our garment.
Where they are made
The fabrics are produced by a partner mill in the Biella wool district; we do not publish the names of our supply-chain partners. Jersey is a knitted fabric: we cut and sew it in Italy, like a tailored garment.
What we do not declare yet
There are two things we cannot write today, so we do not write them:
- certifications for the individual garment, such as RWS: we will show them on the product page only if and when we hold the transaction certificates for the batch;
- durability and wash-resistance data: we will publish them once our tests are complete.
Where we are
At the end of September the sample fabrics reached the sewing workshop, and the first pre-samples are now being made. In the next note we will talk about fit and the first wear trials.
From 15 December the tester programme starts too: a group of testers receives the first garments free of charge and tries them before launch. You can apply from the waitlist page.
— The micron-è team