CUSTOMER CARE

Our products are meticulously crafted in Italy, a country renowned for its tradition of excellence in knitwear production. Partnering with a state-of-the-art facility specialising in high-end manufacturing, we ensure that each garment is crafted to the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship. Not only do we collaborate with the best artisans, but we also challenge them to continuously innovate and elevate their craft. Furthermore, our manufacturing partners are committed to environmental sustainability. Equipped with solar panels and employing a closed-cycle washing technology, the facility minimises its environmental footprint, reflecting our shared commitment to eco-conscious practices.

We take pride in sourcing our superfine Merino wool from a unique farm in Tasmania, renowned for its dedication to environmental stewardship and animal welfare. Nestled in this pristine environment, the farm upholds rigorous standards of land management, ensuring that the land is well-tended and sustainable. By prioritising the well-being of the land and its inhabitants, we not only produce exceptional knitwear but also contribute to the preservation of our natural resources.

We provide a size chart on our product pages with instructions for you to find the best fit. If in doubt, drop us a note at care@wideopenworld.co

We only use an exclusive superfine Tasmanian Merino wool of such quality and finesse that it doesn't itch when worn next-to-skin. It is very different from any wool found on the mass market. Most people who have tried our garments didn't say a word. They smiled. We think you will too.

Absolutely! Following our care instructions, machine washing is not only permissible but recommended. Unlike hand washing, machine washing ensures the fibres are kept at a consistent temperature and avoids any unnecessary friction between them, especially to get rid of the extra water. As long as the washing machine has a wool setting, operates below 30°C, and maintains a gentle spin below 300 RPM, your garments should emerge perfectly unscathed. Thanks to our yarn and knitting techniques, our garments are engineered for longevity, promising years of wear. For those who prefer hand washing, soaking the garments according to our care instructions is equally suitable. Lastly, ironing is key to maintaining the garments' shape. Should wrinkles appear post-wash, a gentle ironing session on low heat, and inside-out, will restore that crisp and polished look to your jumper. 

3 times per year. Allow us to explain. After thorough testing spanning over a year, here's what we've discovered: Following weeks of wear, particularly in active or perspiration-inducing scenarios, you may notice a slight odour, especially in the underarm area if worn next-to-skin. Fear not! Merely airing your jumpers outside for a few hours will work wonders. Merino wool is naturally antibacterial, and with its superior moisture-wicking properties, it is exceptionally odour resistant. When you notice a smell, your merino wool needs a few hours to get rid of it. Should the smell persist, it's time for a wash. We recommend washing them 3 times a year to maintain their pristine condition. In our experience, washing every four months has proven effective. Even after a year of rigorous wear—four times a week on average, and twice weekly during warmer months—our jumpers have retained their original quality. We're eager to hear about your own experiences with our exquisite knits. We're confident they'll surpass all other garments in your collection. After all, quality speaks for itself.

There's a common misconception that local always means more sustainable, especially regarding carbon emissions. However, this isn't necessarily true, particularly for certain foods grown in the UK, like tomatoes in greenhouse systems, which can generate carbon emissions nearly 20 times greater than their counterparts grown in open fields in Spain. Despite this, marketing often leads people to believe that local is inherently better. While local production may benefit the national economy, it doesn't always align with sustainability goals.

Our Superfine Tasmanian Merino wool is transported via container ship, which, while still reliant on fossil fuels, is approximately 50 times less CO2 intensive than air freight. Let's not pretend a fashion brand can change the shipping industry, however it can and should make conscientious choices, taking a holistic approach to sustainability. The container ship journey adds about 0.5 kg CO2e per jumper on average, representing less than 4% of a jumper’s total emissions. To put this into perspective, it's equivalent to the emissions from just two washing machine cycles on a 0.63 kWh run. Considering we think you will only need to wash your merino wool 3 times a year, it becomes a compelling conscious addition to a sustainable wardrobe.

Absolute sustainability is simply sustainability. The need to add the word "absolute" stems from a common misconception perpetuated by the industry. Many believe that reducing a product's impact equates to sustainability, but this couldn't be further from the truth. Sustainability and impact are distinct concepts. For example, while a kilogram of rice requires 1962 litres of freshwater, tofu requires only 139 litres. However, this doesn't mean tofu is inherently more sustainable than rice.

So, what does absolute sustainability entail? It involves preserving ecosystem integrity by maintaining natural habitats, forests, and preventing fertiliser run-off that can harm waterways. It also includes managing water consumption to ensure the continued health of freshwater ecosystems, and avoiding the accumulation of chemicals in the environment as well as contributing to maintaining global temperatures stable. 

Contrary to focusing solely on reducing product impacts, absolute sustainability begins with setting limits on our use of natural resources. It's about understanding and respecting the needs of nature, and then utilising human ingenuity to work within those boundaries. Businesses that adopt an absolute sustainability model have their output constrained by ecological limits since they contribute to maintaining a natural equilibrium.