Wool dress alternatives in warm rib and angora knit

If you came here for a wool dress, you should hear this first. There’s no wool in anything we sew, and what this page holds are the warm knits we make for our own Ukrainian winters, dense rib, angora blend and jersey, almost all with long sleeves.

Which knit for which kind of cold

Most of the rib here is mustang, a thick, springy rib that keeps heat in. It stretches over the body and follows it closely. Take our black rib mini with a stand collar. A zip runs up the bodice, and you can pull it down a little in a warm room, then back up on the street. Below the bodice it flares, which means it doesn’t grip your hips.

Angora blend is the cozy one. It’s a fluffy knit that warms you about as well as a pullover, and one of our white minis with frills is cut from a double-sided angora. Worried it’ll itch? The milky angora turtleneck midi doesn’t. It’s soft against the skin, and plain opaque tights are all you need under it in a badly heated building. Angora turtleneck dresses also come in red, beige, gray and powder pink.

Jersey is smooth and stretchy. We use it for the black and burgundy minis with two tiers of flounces. The close-fitting minis with a teardrop keyhole are another story, knitted from 95 % cotton and 5 % elastane that doesn’t prickle.

Choose your hem, then your neckline

Here’s something worth knowing about how we work. On several styles you can pick the length, 80, 88 or 92–94 cm, and we’ll sew to the one you write in the order comment. Short suits a petite frame and tall boots. The longest covers the knee, which is what you’d want for an office.

Next, the neck. A turtleneck does the job of a scarf under a winter coat, and that’s why so many of these have one. Our white rib dress to the knee, with long sleeves, is plain enough for a desk job and comfortable behind the wheel. Pair it with flat suede boots and a beige coat.

Frequently asked questions

Is there any wool blend at all?

No. The warmth comes from dense rib and angora knit, plus a high neck and long sleeves.

Can I wear a mini when it’s freezing?

In angora with long sleeves, yes. Add thick nude tights and knee boots. More cold-weather picks are on our winter page.

How do I stop rib from stretching out?

Lay it out to dry on a flat surface. Store it folded on a shelf. On a hanger, the weight of the knit slowly drags it longer.

Which size should I take?

Rib hugs, so check your hips against the XS–XL table. If you like it easier, take the next size. For high necks only, see turtleneck styles, and for every knit we make, our sweater dresses.