From Elimination Communication to Barefoot Living, Sustainability, and Feeling Better in My Own Skin
Wool was never something I planned to care about.
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For most of my life, it felt irrelevant. Wool was itchy jumpers, complicated care labels, and something that belonged firmly in my grandparents’ wardrobes. I certainly did not associate it with comfort, practicality, or everyday life.
And yet, over time and through some very unexpected experiences, wool became one of the most important materials in my life. Not just in what I wear, but in how I parented, how I sleep, how I shop, and how I think about sustainability, barefoot living, and caring for my body.
This is not a trend piece. This is a story about unlearning modern fabric myths and rediscovering what natural materials are actually capable of.
How Wool First Entered My Life Through Parenthood
I properly discovered wool in 2016 when I became a parent, long before barefoot shoes were a central part of my work.
We chose to use cloth nappies from the start, relying exclusively on Little Lamb in the early days. As our family grew and life became busier, our cloth to disposable ratio naturally shifted. By the time we had four children, we relied more heavily on disposables simply due to lifestyle and capacity, but we stayed intentional and only used Bambo Nature.
Alongside cloth nappies, we practised Elimination Communication, often shortened to EC. EC is a practice that has been used globally for generations and long predates disposable nappies. It is about observation, responsiveness, and working with a baby’s natural rhythms rather than forcing early independence.
There has been a lot of sensationalist media coverage around EC. If you come across it, take it with a pinch of salt. The practice itself is calm, respectful, and far removed from the headlines. You can read one article I featured in here.
If you want a grounded introduction, I highly recommend this book by my friend Rebecca Mottram, which remains one of the most practical and reassuring resources available.
Why Wool Is So Important for Elimination Communication
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/lifestyle/article-14263509/potty-trained-baby-six-months-nappies.html
During this learning curve, I discovered something that completely reframed how I saw wool.
Many families across the world rely heavily on wool for infant care, particularly when practising EC. This is not a coincidence.
Wool is uniquely suited to this context because it is breathable, temperature regulating, naturally antibacterial, and able to absorb moisture while still feeling dry. The structure of wool fibres allows moisture vapour to escape rather than becoming trapped against the skin.
Natural wool can also be lanolised. Lanolin is the same substance many breastfeeding parents use to heal cracked skin. When wool is lanolised, it becomes water resistant while remaining breathable. This combination simply does not exist in synthetic materials.
This is why wool works so well for nappies, puddle pads, and EC back ups. It keeps babies warm without overheating, reduces odour, and requires far less washing than modern alternatives.
I relied heavily on wool puddle pads from Little Bunny Bear, as well as wool clothing and layers from Disana.
At the time, I saw wool as functional. I had not yet realised how deeply it would influence the rest of my life.
When Wool Finally Made Sense for Me Personally
It took years for the message to really land.
For a long time, I continued wearing fast-fashion and high street clothing. Wool was limited to accessories like scarves, hats, gloves, and socks. Then I developed a rash that appeared every time I wore a particular pair of trousers I had bought from Shein.
The reaction was immediate and repeatable. When I stopped wearing them, the rash disappeared. I strongly suspected polyester, and once I removed synthetic fabrics from my wardrobe entirely, the issue resolved itself completely.
From that point on, I committed to wearing only natural fibres, starting with cotton. Jeans and leggings became my safe zone. Over time, I slowly reintroduced wool and began to notice something profound.
My skin felt calmer.
My body temperature felt more stable.
I no longer felt clammy or overheated when moving between indoor and outdoor spaces.
Once you feel the difference, it is impossible to ignore.
Wool Versus Polyester and Why Wool Does Not Smell
Wool behaves completely differently to synthetic fabrics, and this is where most confusion lies.
Wool fibres are naturally crimped, which creates tiny air pockets. These pockets regulate temperature and allow moisture vapour to escape. Wool can absorb up to thirty percent of its weight in moisture without feeling wet. Lanolin gives wool antibacterial properties, meaning odour causing bacteria does not thrive.
This is why wool garments do not need frequent washing. Airing them overnight is often enough to restore freshness.
Polyester and acrylic, on the other hand, trap moisture and bacteria. Odours become embedded in the fibres and linger even after washing. This is why poly cotton blends smell unpleasant so quickly and why people feel the need to wash them constantly.
Less washing means less wear, less water usage, and significantly longer garment life.
Wool Care and the Learning Curve
Wool does require a mindset shift.
Many people believe temperature is the biggest issue when washing wool, but in reality, it is usually the spin cycle. Wool fibres do not tolerate aggressive agitation.
Wool does not need regular washing. A gentle hand wash is usually sufficient. Many garments can simply be aired overnight and worn again the next day. Socks and base layers often feel and smell fresh after airing alone.
It is very likely that at some point you will accidentally ruin a wool item. Most people do. This is part of the learning curve. Once you understand wool, caring for it becomes intuitive and far less intimidating than most labels suggest.
The Frustrating Lack of Wool Knowledge, Especially on Vinted
This is the part that genuinely irritates me.
There is a shocking lack of public knowledge about wool, and it becomes painfully obvious when shopping second hand, particularly on Vinted.
People frequently list items as “wool” when they actually mean “woolly”. They are describing the texture or appearance, not the fibre content. When I ask for the material composition, I am often met with replies that describe how soft or fluffy the fabric feels, or I am told again that it is wool.
Far too often, this is followed by a photo of the label showing ninety five percent polyester.
This is not a misunderstanding. It is a fundamental lack of education around fabrics.
The Outrageous Price of Plastic Fashion
What makes this worse is the price of fashion today.
There is absolutely no justification for garments costing into the hundreds when they are mostly plastic. Acrylic and polyester are cheap to produce, regardless of the brand name attached to them. They will not last, they do not age well, and they do nothing positive for the skin.
No matter how cleverly it is marketed, plastic clothing is not a premium product. It is not an investment. It is not sustainable. It is not worth it.
Once you understand wool and other natural fibres, it becomes impossible to justify spending significant money on garments that are, quite literally, made from oil.
Choosing Natural Fibres for My Family
I prioritised my children’s wardrobes first, choosing one hundred percent cotton from brands like Frugi and Marks & Spencer.
For myself, I eventually discovered Wool&. Their garments do not feel like traditional wool at all. They feel more like soft cotton jersey, and you would never guess they were wool unless you checked the label.
I now exclusively wear their briefs and have no intention of ever returning to synthetics.
Why Wool Is Still Hard to Find in the UK
Despite all of this, wool remains surprisingly difficult to source in the UK.
Many of the best wool garments are readily available in Europe, while British retailers continue to prioritise synthetic blends. Wool has simply fallen out of fashion, and that is a real shame.
I keep an eye on House of Bruar and regularly search Vinted for quality second hand pieces. My vintage sheepskin coat came from there, while for new sheepskin I recommend Sheepers as a genuinely worthwhile investment.
Scandinavia and Wool Done Properly
While visiting My Foot Function in Sweden, I discovered Cubus.
It is similar to H&M in structure but with a vast merino wool range. It’s a massive pity that they do not ship to anywhere outside of Scandinavia :(, so, while visiting I stocked up on vests and underwear for myself and the children. The quality and accessibility were genuinely impressive. It was actually worth the flight though, as my Ryanair return only cost £37!
Wool in the Barefoot Space
Wool fits beautifully into barefoot living because it supports natural movement, temperature regulation, and sensory comfort.
Wool toe socks can be found from Creepers in New Zealand and Knitido via Nara’s Sock Shop. Maro socks have also just launched a high content wool toe sock, too!
Wool shoes or mostly wool shoes are available from Magical Shoes, Wildling Shoes, Doghammer and Vibram FiveFingers
Wool linings are commonly used by Tikki Lang S, Froddo Barefoot, Vivobarefoot, Be Lenka, Tomar Creation, Shapen and Softstar
Wool slippers: I highly recommend Omaking (at Bubbly Toes Barefoot), Inch Blue, Tomar Creation and Softstar for wool or sheepskin lined slippers.
Wool insoles are available from Omaking via Bubbly Toes Barefoot. And you can pick up regular warm thick socks easily on Amazon.
Sleeping on Wool
Sleeping on wool has been one of the most unexpectedly impactful changes we have made.
We currently use a sheepskin mattress topper, often called an under blanket, which we found second hand. We also use wool duvets for both ourselves and the children.
My next major purchase will be a one hundred percent wool mattress, and I’ve been looking at this Bulgarian company, Home of Wool. You can claim a discount with code: BAREFOOTBRIT. If you want to start small, a sheepskin pillow cover is a brilliant entry point.
The 100 Day Wool Dress Challenge
In early 2025, I undertook the one hundred day dress challenge, wearing my Willow Dress from Wool& every single day.
This experience demonstrated the durability and versatility of wool in a way no article ever could. It also fundamentally shifted how I think about consumption, ethics, and intentional purchasing.
The challenge helped me minimise our home, reduce impulse buying, and reconnect with what clothing is actually for. You can read more about this challenge in the press, including coverage by The Independent.
Is Wool Itchy?
Not all wool is created equal.
Merino is soft and fine. Sheepskin is soft and fluffy.
Cashmere is luxuriously smooth.
Thicker yarns provide structure and warmth.
Modern blends are engineered for comfort.
The wool pieces I own from Wool& do not feel like wool in the way most people imagine. They feel soft, fluid, and wearable. If you did not know they were wool, you would never guess.
Why Wool Is Worth It
Wool costs more upfront, but it lasts longer, requires less washing, and replaces multiple garments. It feels better on the body, performs better across temperatures, and supports more ethical manufacturing when sourced responsibly.
There is discussion around fabric frequencies and how different materials interact with the body. I do not claim expertise there. What I do know is how I feel when I wear wool, and that is enough.
Final Thoughts
Wool changed far more than my wardrobe.
It changed how I think about comfort, sustainability, parenting, barefoot living, and care for myself and my family. Once you understand it, plastic clothing becomes impossible to justify.
If you are curious, start small. A pair of socks, a vest, a pillow cover.
You might be surprised by where it leads!
Brit 👣