Linen may be summer’s darling and cotton is a classic, but those aren’t the only fibers that should be in your closet this season.
One of my favorite summer fabrics is also one that receives a lot of raised eyebrows: wool.
I was generously gifted these pieces from wool&, but as always, all opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links, and I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking one of these links at no additional cost to you. Thanks for helping to keep the lights on over here (i.e. making it possible to run this site ad-free!).
Wait, isn’t wool a winter fabric?
Yep – wool is great in the winter! It’s a great insulator and dries quickly, making it perfect for damp winter weather. But those features are also why it’s the perfect fabric for summer, too. Wool is naturally temperature-regulating, drawing moisture from the skin on sticky summer days.
My favorite quality, though? It doesn’t get stinky.
Even when worn for days on end (like that time I got stranded for six days with only a wool dress to wear and no washing machine), wool doesn’t easily absorb odor, making it perfect for travel no matter the season.
Today I’m bringing you a review of two of my favorite pieces from wool&, ready to wear both now and into fall: the Poppy Tank Top and the Frame Ponte Culotte.
Looking for more honest style reviews? Check out my index of reviews, sorted by brand
If you think they look familiar, it’s because I’ve been relying heavily on them for summer travel, seamlessly weaving them into my seasonal wardrobe. And while they are both great elevated basics ready to be paired with just about any wardrobe, the Poppy Tank Top and Frame Ponte Culotte shine brightest when worn together.
I think we can all agree that jumpsuits are great throw-on-and-go, one-piece wonders. But I also think we can all agree that they make a stop in the restroom miserable (my theory is that everyone wears a jumpsuit on a plane exactly once, and never does it again).
Breaking the jumpsuit down into two pieces alleviates all that frustration – not to mention the fact that you can pair them with your other tops and bottoms, unlike with a one-piece jumpsuit. And this pairing is even more versatile, thanks to a reversible top. Better yet, you can customize the fit for your body by choosing two different sizes as needed.
Since they are two separate pieces, I figured it would be most helpful to review them for you separately today – but I just couldn’t resist shooting them together. Because it’s not always easy to judge sizing from a photo, you can find my current measurements here.
POPPY TANK TOP REVIEW
Poppy Tank Top Size | S Color | Black Materials | 78% Merino Wool (160gsm, 17.5 Micron Wool), 22% Nylon Also Wearing | Frame Ponte Culotte | Shoes | Bag* | Necklace* | Hoop Earrings | Stud Earrings | Bracelet
If you own one of wool&’s dresses (say, the ever-popular Rowena), you’re likely already familiar with the fabric of the Poppy Tank Top. If not, this fabric is lightweight, drapes beautifully, and feels cool and soft on the skin.
The Poppy Tank has a trapeze shape: it is fitted through the shoulders and chest and draws away from the body below the bust, landing at the hip (on me, at least!). The top is reversible from front to back, meaning you can wear it with either the crew neck or the V-neck in front (and vice-versa for the back!).
After reading the reviews, I decided to take a small in the top – and it ended up being the right decision. This tank runs a little snugger in the underarm area than most tanks these days, and sizing down to an XS might have been too tight. As it stands, I love the fit in this area (hooray for bra coverage!), and it’s equally comfortable when worn both ways. And I do wear it both ways, but I probably lean toward wearing the crew neck in the front and letting the back dip unexpectedly in a V shape.
When I’m not pairing the Poppy Tank Top with the Frame Ponte Culotte, I’m generally styling it with easygoing shorts and skirts – although as the weather cools I’ll likely be reaching for jeans and a cardigan. Currently, I’m loving the tank tucked, and though I’ve shown it untucked for this review, I don’t really see myself wearing it this way in the near future (but hey, never say never!).
If I had to choose a bone to pick with this top, it would be the width at the hips. In any other fabric, it would be too much to tuck, but because the wool is thin and light, I can still fully tuck it comfortably (side note: if wool& ever makes its slim reversible tank – the Essential Layering Tank – in an opaque knit, I’ll be first in line to order!).
FRAME PONTE CULOTTE REVIEW
Frame Ponte Culotte Size | M Color | Black Materials | 75% Merino Wool (340gsm, 17.5 Micron Wool), 22% Nylon, 3% Spandex Also Wearing | Poppy Tank Top | Shoes | Bag* | Necklace* | Hoop Earrings | Stud Earrings | Bracelet
I hover between a small and medium in wool&’s clothing, and I’m so glad I dug through the reviews before ordering the Frame Ponte Culotte. I say this as someone who frequently struggles to find pants that fit properly: the medium is a perfect fit, sitting comfortably at my waist while not tugging or pulling across my hips (i.e., finding these is a Big Deal).
These have become my go-to road trip pants, allowing me to sit comfortably for hours on end as we make our way across the Southeast while feeling fully at ease once we reach our destination. They’re cropped, but not too cropped, making them an ideal match for sneakers, flats, sandals, or heels, depending on the mood. Really, styling the Frame Ponte Culotte has been a breeze – it’s the ultimate foundation for a no-brainer outfit (my favorite kind – the kind of outfit that lets you get on with your day without fuss).
The material of the culottes is unlike any of my other wool& pieces (including my other wool& bottoms, the Axis Midweight Leggings). For lack of a better word, this fabric is plush. It’s dense, stretchy, and fully opaque, allowing you to move and squat and do all of the things your life requires you to do without showing your bum to the world. And yes, thanks, these have pockets – although they could stand to be a smidge deeper, and the lining is… an interesting choice. The pockets are lined with a silky, slippery, non-stretch fabric (presumably so the items you carry don’t slice through it or cause it to warp).
Since these arrived on my doorstep, I’ve reached for them at least weekly – but have only washed them once. This leads me to…
CARING FOR WOOL& CLOTHING
Part of the reason it takes me so long to write reviews is because I feel a responsibility to have plenty of experience wearing and washing each garment before sharing.
This post took even longer to write because wool& clothing needs cleaning less than other garments (they are the creators of the 100-day challenge, after all!). Finally, I broke down and decided to go ahead and wash these pieces, even though it still felt a little early.
wool& recommends machine washing on cold, and hanging to dry. I take it one step further by placing each in a mesh laundry bag to reduce the chance of snagging or stretching, and running them through the delicates cycle. Like the rest of my wool& clothing, these have held their shape beautifully.
To store, I break the rule that says you shouldn’t hang knits and hang both of these in my closet: the top on a velvet hanger, and the culottes slung over a wooden one. Because they’re so lightweight, I’ve never experienced any stretching or sagging (yay!).
What about pilling? Scout’s honor, so far none of my wool& pieces have pilled – but it’s always helpful to keep a sweater comb on hand, just in case.
*this item is no longer available and a similar one is linked
FINAL THOUGHTS ON THE POPPY TANK TOP AND FRAME PONTE CULOTTE – AND WHAT I’M EYEING NEXT
Although I have some super minor personal changes I would make in the design of the Poppy Tank Top and Frame Ponte Culotte (nothing is ever universally appealing, I suppose), I can’t really fault either style. They have both quickly acclimated to my closet, and I’ve found myself sliding other hangers over in order to reach these first. I’m so smitten with the matching black set because it’s my favorite color to wear and feels the most versatile, but I wish these two styles came in another coordinating set or two (I know lots of people love color!).
And because wool& has been so great for my travel wardrobe, I’m always eyeing the site for potential new additions. Rising to the top of my list currently are a green tank top, a 100% wool tee, a chic dress, a sleek ponte skirt, and maybe even another pair of travel-ready pants. Who knows – maybe you’ll see them here someday!
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Questions for you
Before today, have you ever considered wearing wool in the summer?
Does your summer palette differ from your cooler weather clothing?
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If you found this review helpful, please consider shopping through my link. It doesn’t impact the price of your purchase, but it means the world to me. Thank you for your support!
Looking for more? Why not read one of these next:
- Review: The Clara Shirt Dress from wool&
- A Review of the Rosso Straight Ponte Pant from wool&
- My Flight Got Canceled and All I Had To Wear Was This Dress
- Traveling Light: Packing List for a Weekend in Rochester, New York (includes wool&’s Poppy Tank Top & Frame Ponte Culotte)
- Traveling Light: Albany, New York Packing List (includes wool&’s Stella Scoop Neck Tee)
- Traveling Light: A Summer Packing List for Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas (includes wool&’s Stella Scoop Neck Tee)
- Traveling Light: Columbia, South Carolina Packing List (includes wool&’s Cora Shift Dress)
- Traveling Light: Guadalajara, Mexico Packing List (includes wool&’s Avery Dress, Cora Shift Dress, Stella Scoop Neck Tee, Aspen Sweatshirt, and Axis Midweight Leggings)
- Style Reviews Index
- Exclusive Discounts + Promo Codes
- Shop My Closet
