The Year-Round Magic of Wool: From Flannel to Hopsack and Everything In Between

When most people think of wool, they picture heavy coats, thick blankets, and the cozy warmth of winter. But here’s the truth: wool is one of nature’s most advanced performance fabrics, and it’s not just for cold weather. The same fiber that keeps you warm in January can also help you stay cool in July.

At Bards Clothing, we believe understanding your clothing is just as important as wearing it. Because when you know the story behind the fabric, you appreciate the craftsmanship, and the comfort, that much more.

How Wool Regulates Temperature Year-Round

Wool is a living fiber, literally. Each strand of wool is made up of proteins that react to the environment around you. When it’s cold, those fibers trap warm air close to your body, acting as a natural insulator. When it’s hot, wool wicks moisture away from your skin and allows air to circulate, keeping you dry and cool.

Think of wool as nature’s climate control. It’s breathable, odor-resistant, and unlike synthetics, it doesn’t cling or trap sweat. That’s why high-end textile mills have used wool year-round for centuries.

Flannel: The Winter Workhorse

When most people hear “flannel,” they think of plaid shirts and lumberjacks. But in tailoring, flannel refers to a type of wool fabric that’s been brushed to raise the fibers and create a soft, slightly fuzzy surface.

That brushing process is what gives flannel its warm, luxurious feel. It traps air between the fibers, creating insulation that’s perfect for fall and winter garments, think softly structured sport coats, shackets, and heirloom-quality trousers.

The best flannels come from mills like Gladson, Dormeuil, and American Woolen right here in Connecticut, heritage producers that blend old-world weaving with modern precision.

Photo: Gladson fabric, Kodiak book

Hopsack and Lightweight Wool: The Summer Solution

On the opposite end of the spectrum, you have lightweight wool fabrics like hopsack. Hopsack isn’t a fiber, it’s a weave. Its loose, basket-like structure makes it incredibly breathable and resistant to wrinkles, which is why it’s a staple for warm-weather suiting.

A hopsack blazer can easily transition from a summer wedding to a boardroom meeting without missing a beat. It drapes beautifully, moves with you, and stays cool when the temperature climbs.

So yes, wool absolutely belongs in your summer wardrobe.

Wear Your Story, In Every Season

Whether it’s the warmth of a brushed flannel or the breathable drape of a hopsack, wool adapts to your life and your environment. That’s the beauty of working with a natural fiber that’s been perfected by time, and crafted with intention.

At Bards Clothing, we create garments that are built to last, tailored to your truth, and made to move with the seasons of your life.