Our Products & Materials
Where are Wide Open World merino wool jumpers made?
Our products are meticulously crafted in Italy, a country renowned for its tradition of excellence in luxury 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.
Where does your superfine Tasmanian merino wool come from?
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. The farm is certified by the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), guaranteeing humane treatment and traceability. 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. Discover our Tasmanian wool story
Is Wide Open World merino wool mulesing-free and ethically sourced?
Yes, absolutely. Our Tasmanian partner farm adheres to strict animal welfare standards and uses ethical alternatives to mulesing as humane means of flystrike prevention. We reject practices that compromise animal well-being for commercial convenience. Our wool comes from a single farm where sheep roam freely in low-stock densities, ensuring their natural behaviours are respected. We have visited the farm personally and can confirm that sheep are well treated and looked after. Read about our ethical sourcing
How to find your size for merino wool knitwear?
We provide a comprehensive size chart on our product pages with detailed instructions for you to find the best fit. Our knitwear is designed with a contemporary silhouette that balances elegance with comfort. The natural stretch of merino wool provides flexibility while maintaining shape. If you're between sizes, we generally recommend sizing up for a relaxed fit or down for a closer fit. If in doubt, drop us a note at care@wideopenworld.co for personalised sizing advice.
Is Wide Open World merino wool itchy and comfortable next-to-skin?
We only use an exclusive superfine Tasmanian Merino wool (under 18.5 microns) of such quality and fineness that it doesn't itch when worn next-to-skin. The extraordinary fineness ensures fibres bend upon contact with skin rather than creating the prickly sensation associated with coarser wools. It is very different from any wool found on the mass market. Most people who have tried our garments simply smiled. We think you will too.
Are Wide Open World merino wool jumpers machine washable?
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. 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. Discover our complete care guide
How often should your merino wool jumpers be washed?
Just 3 times per year. After thorough testing spanning over a year, we've discovered that our Merino garments don't need to be washed often. Merino wool is naturally antibacterial and exceptionally odour resistant. Following weeks of wear, you may notice a slight odour, especially in the underarm area if worn next-to-skin. Simply airing your jumpers outside for a few hours will work wonders. When you notice a smell, your merino wool needs a few hours to refresh itself. Should the smell persist, it's time for a wash. We recommend washing them 3 times a year to maintain their pristine condition (this helps shed some fibres too, thus minimising localised pilling in friction areas). One last surprising fact: Merino garments don't select which odours to get rid of. Spray perfume on them, and few hours later you might struggle to notice the smell of perfume on the garment.
Are your dyes eco-friendly and safe?
We use synthetic dyes that comply with OEKO-TEX 100 and ZDHC standards (zero hazardous chemicals). While natural dyes might seem more sustainable, they actually require land-intensive crops and synthetic fertilisers. Our carefully selected dyes are rigorously tested for safety and minimal environmental impact, ensuring they're safe for both you and the environment. All our dyes maintain their vibrancy through countless washes.
What's your return and exchange policy?
We offer a 30-day return policy for unworn items in original condition with tags attached (if supplied). If you need a different size, we provide free exchanges within the UK. For international customers, we cover return shipping costs for size exchanges. Our goal is to ensure you're completely satisfied with your purchase. View our full return and refund policy
How long will my Wide Open World jumper last?
When cared for properly, your Wide Open World knitwear is designed to last for decades. The combination of extraordinary fibre quality, innovative knitting techniques, and meticulous construction creates garments that maintain their shape, softness, and appearance through years of regular wear. We also can advise on how to get the garments repaired to extend their lifespan even further. This longevity reflects our commitment to creating fewer, better pieces that transcend seasons and trends.
Why do Wide Open World merino wool jumpers cost more than high street brands?
Our pricing reflects the true cost of sustainable luxury: fibre rarity (superfine Tasmanian Merino under 18.5 microns, bespoke spun yarn), artisan craftsmanship (Italian-made with centuries-old techniques, in good working conditions), and genuine sustainability work (200m² conserved per garment, emissions taxed to invest in real low-carbon solutions, regional partnerships, and more). This means you invest in fewer, better pieces that last decades rather than seasonal replacements. You're supporting a new way of doing commerce—the stewardship way. And we pledge to provide extraordinary value.
Sustainability
Why source merino wool from Tasmania rather than locally?
There's a common misconception that local sourcing is always more sustainable. Our Tasmanian Merino wool is transported via container ship, which produces approximately 50 times less CO₂ than air freight. This shipping adds about 0.5kg CO₂e per jumper—less than 4% of the garment's total emissions and equivalent to just two washing machine cycles. Considering our knitwear requires washing only three times annually, this transportation impact becomes negligible when assessing the impact holistically. Considering this and that we maintain exceptional environmental stewardship practices in Tasmania, where our land-use is material, preserving biodiversity and natural habitats, a Wide Open World garment becomes a compelling conscious addition to a sustainable wardrobe.
What does absolute sustainability mean?
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? True sustainability means operating within Earth's ecological boundaries. At Wide Open World, this means preserving ecosystem integrity by maintaining natural habitats, forests, and preventing fertiliser run-off that can harm waterways. It also means managing water consumption responsibly to ensure the continued health of freshwater ecosystems, avoiding chemical accumulation in the environment, and contributing to climate stability. Learn more about absolute sustainability here
Rather than focusing solely on reducing impacts, we begin by respecting nature's inherent limits through the APres sustainable business model. The result is akin to indigenous principles of stewardship meeting the latest Earth science. Learn more about APres here
