KOMODO wool sweater vest RIO WINE made of 100% lambswool
The sleeves are gone, but thankfully the warmth remains. The RIO by KOMODO is a hand-knitted sweater vest made of 100% lambswool. Wonderfully warm, delightfully practical, and with just enough retro feel to be interesting, without making you look like you accidentally ended up in your geography teacher's wardrobe.
The deep wine-red color is melange with darker threads, giving the knit extra depth. The V-neck, button closure, and two patch pockets make the RIO a fully-fledged garment rather than just a sweater that someone forgot the sleeves for.
- 100% lambswool
- Hand-knitted
- Warm winter quality
- Deep melange wine-red color
- Comfortable regular fit
- Deep V-neck
- Double-knitted ribbing along the neck
- Full button placket
- Two patch pockets
- Ribbed cuffs along armholes and hem
- Sleeveless and ideal for layering
- Also available in blue
- Made in Nepal
- Produced in a SEDEX-audited factory
- Gentle cold hand wash
Why a wool sweater vest is so handy
A sweater vest keeps your upper body comfortably warm while leaving your arms free. This makes it easy to move, and you won't get a thick bunch of fabric around your shoulders and sleeves under a coat. Ideal when a regular wool sweater is just too much, but only a blouse or long-sleeve top turns out to be a bit too optimistic.
Wear the RIO over a T-shirt during cool mid-season days, over a blouse for a dressier look, or over a wool long-sleeve when it gets really cold. Because the vest can be opened completely at the front, you can also easily put it on and take it off when the temperature changes throughout the day.
Hand-knitted from 100% lambswool
The RIO is hand-knitted from 100% lambswool. Lambswool is wool from young sheep and is generally finer and softer than many coarser types of wool. The fibers trap plenty of still air, making the knit pleasantly warm without the need for synthetic padding.
The robust rib knit gives the vest a beautiful texture. Because it is handmade, small differences in the knit may occur. These are not production defects, but rather characteristics of a garment that hasn't been spat out entirely by an automated machine.
A wine color with character
WINE is not a flat red, nor is it a sweet candy color. It is a deep wine-red shade with darker threads knitted in. That melange effect highlights the rib structure and makes the color easy to combine.
Beautiful with black, anthracite, dark blue, denim, cream, and olive green. Wear a bright white shirt underneath if you want to make the red stand out, or combine it with black for a calmer look.
We also have the RIO in blue. The blue version has a more classic and cooler look; WINE is warmer and more expressive. The model, material composition, and comfort are the same for both colors.
V-neck, buttons, and real pockets
The deep V-neck makes it easy to wear the RIO over various tops. The collar of a blouse remains nicely visible, but the round neck of a T-shirt or long-sleeve also fits well underneath. A sturdy double-knitted rib border runs along the V-neck, giving the model extra structure.
On the front, there are three dark buttons and two spacious patch pockets. Handy for cold hands, a phone, or that one note you absolutely had to not lose and then find again three weeks later.
You can wear the vest completely closed, close only the bottom buttons, or leave it hanging open completely like a sleeveless cardigan. This allows you to create different silhouettes with the same garment.
Fit and size advice
The RIO has a comfortable regular fit: not tight, but not extremely oversized either. The model falls straight along the body and offers enough room for a T-shirt, blouse, or thin sweater underneath.
Usually, choose your usual size if you want to wear the vest over a thin layer. Are you between two sizes or do you want to combine a thicker sweater underneath regularly? Then choose the larger size. Keep in mind that 100% wool can give a little during wear, but can spring back after a careful wash.
For indoors, outdoors, and everything in between
Combine the RIO with jeans and a T-shirt for an easy daily outfit. Over a white blouse and dress trousers, it immediately gets a dressier look. A sweater vest can also look surprisingly good over a dress: you keep your upper body warm, while the skirt of the dress remains visible.
At home, it is ideal for people who don't want to turn the thermostat to a tropical setting right away. Outside, you can easily wear it under a coat because you don't have to deal with thick sleeves over other sleeves. Less struggling while getting dressed is also comfort, as far as we are concerned.
How does lambswool feel on the skin?
Lambswool is generally softer than many common wool types, but how wool feels remains personal. One person immediately exclaims "lovely!", while another seems to be able to identify every single fiber personally.
Because you usually wear a sweater vest over a T-shirt, blouse, or long-sleeve top, the wool has limited direct contact with the skin. Are you very sensitive to wool? Then wear a top with a higher neck underneath or come try on the RIO in our store first.
You don't have to wash wool all the time
Wool can absorb and release moisture and picks up odors less quickly than many other materials. Therefore, you don't have to wash the vest after every wear. Hang it outside or near an open window regularly to air it out and treat small stains gently on the spot.
Washing less is not only easier but also helps to keep the wool looking good for longer. A rare garment that actually agrees that you should do a bit less housework.
How to wash the RIO vest
Wash the RIO exclusively by hand in cold to lukewarm water. Use a small amount of suitable wool detergent, for example, Lanalicious. Let the vest move gently through the water, but do not rub, scrub, or wring it.
Rinse with water of about the same temperature. Large temperature differences and a lot of movement can cause wool to shrink or felt. Gently press the excess water out of the vest and optionally roll it in a clean towel to absorb extra moisture.
Reshape the garment afterward and let it dry flat. Do not tumble dry, do not put it on the heater, and preferably do not let it drip on a clothes hanger: wet wool is heavy and can therefore stretch.
Pilling and snags in wool knits
With 100% wool knits, small fluff or pills can appear, especially in the beginning, in areas with a lot of friction. That is normal for natural wool fibers and does not mean the quality is poor. Remove fluff gently by hand or with a suitable wool comb.
When wearing, be careful with sharp jewelry, open zippers, and bag buckles that can get caught in the hand-knitted knit. If a small loop does form, do not just cut it off, but gently pull it to the inside or let us take a look at it.
Store the vest clean and folded in the closet. For longer storage, you can protect it against moths with a well-sealed garment bag and, for example, cedarwood or lavender.
Made in Nepal
The RIO is hand-knitted in Nepal. The production site is monitored through the SEDEX system, with which companies make labor conditions and social responsibility in their supply chain transparent, among other things.
SEDEX is not a quality mark for the wool itself, but a system for monitoring and transparency within production. We like to be honest about that distinction.
Frequently asked questions about the KOMODO RIO WINE
Is the sweater vest really made of 100% wool?
Yes, the RIO is made of 100% lambswool. No acrylic, polyester, or other synthetic fibers have been added to the knit.
Is the RIO handmade?
Yes, this sweater vest is hand-knitted in Nepal. Small differences in the knit may therefore occur and are part of the handmade character.
How does the model fit?
The RIO has a regular fit and falls comfortably straight. Choose your usual size for a normal fit. Do you want to wear a thicker layer underneath or are you between two sizes? Then choose the larger size.
Does lambswool itch?
Lambswool is generally finer than many coarser wool types, but sensitivity to wool differs per person. Because you usually wear the vest over another garment, the wool has limited contact with the bare skin.
Can the vest be machine washed?
We advise against it. Wash it carefully by hand in cold to lukewarm water and use a suitable wool detergent. Let it dry flat afterward.
Can I wear the RIO open?
Yes. Thanks to the button closure, you can wear the vest closed, partially open, or completely open like a sleeveless cardigan.
Is the RIO also available in another color?
Yes, besides this wine-red version, we also have the RIO in blue.
Come try on the RIO in Rotterdam
Do you want to feel how the lambswool feels or see the colors side by side? Come visit Natur-el at Zwaanshals 376 in Rotterdam. We are open from Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM.
Our team is also happy to help you remotely. Call us during opening hours at 010-7954177 or email klantenservice@natur-el.nl. We are happy to help you with the right size, color, and how many layers of wool one person can reasonably wear at the same time.
