This is one of those sweaters you only truly understand the quality of once you put it on. Not thick, not heavy, and certainly not one of those bulky wool winter sweaters. The SOFIE by MADNESS is finely and smoothly knitted and made from a blend of organic wool and organic cotton. This gives you the warmth and wonderful properties of wool, while the sweater feels lighter and less woolly.
And those colors! We have the SOFIE in two pretty amazing versions: bright green and Imperial Blue. The latter is actually hard to pin down to one color: it is an intense blue with a purplish undertone. Truly a color that seems just a little bit different every time, depending on the light.
Why is the MADNESS SOFIE such a great sweater?
Because it’s exactly the kind of transitional sweater that is incredibly useful. Thin enough to wear indoors, warm enough to really feel the wool working, and casual enough to just pair with a pair of jeans.
The fabric is smooth and finely knitted, and the round neckline has a nice, slightly wider trim. No fuss, no complicated design: just a truly lovely sweater where the color really does all the work.
- 60% organic wool
- 40% organic cotton
- GOTS-certified
- Fine and smooth knit
- Round neckline
- Long sleeves
- Available in green and Imperial Blue
- Fairly produced
What is the advantage of a sweater made of both wool and cotton?
Quite a lot, actually. By combining 60% wool with 40% cotton, you get a sweater that feels different from a 100% wool sweater. The wool provides warmth and helps regulate your body temperature, while the cotton makes the sweater feel airier and smoother.
That makes the SOFIE very pleasant for people who love wearing wool but don't always want a thick, fluffy sweater. And precisely because it isn't super thick, you can wear it for a large part of the year.
How does the MADNESS SOFIE fit?
The SOFIE has a feminine, relatively close-fitting shape, but it doesn't hug the body tightly. In the photos, you can see how beautifully it drapes along the body and that the knit is supple enough not to look stiff. I am wearing a size 40 in the photo.
The length is great with pants: not excessively long, but certainly not cropped either. Because of this, you really don’t have to overthink your outfit. Jeans underneath and you're good to go.
Which SOFIE color will you choose: green or Imperial Blue?
Well, good luck. Because they are both pretty great.
Green is bright, fresh, and expressive without being loud. Beautiful with denim and very nice with, for example, dark blue, camel, brown, or ecru.
Imperial Blue sits somewhere between intense blue and a purplish blue. So not a standard navy, but a color with much more zest. It is fantastic with denim, but also try pairing it with green, burgundy, or brown.
Does a wool and cotton sweater itch?
How someone experiences wool remains personal. The addition of organic cotton ensures that this sweater feels smoother and less decidedly woolly than many 100% wool sweaters. If you are very sensitive to wool, we recommend coming in to feel and try it on.
And that is the best advice for wool anyway: feeling says much more than a label.
How do you wash the MADNESS SOFIE?
The most important washing advice is actually: don't wash it too often. Wool naturally resists odors much better. Simply airing it out outside can often be enough.
Does the SOFIE need a wash anyway? Use your machine's wool cycle, wash cold or at a maximum of 30 degrees, and choose a detergent suitable for wool. For this, we like to use Lanalicious wool detergent with lanolin.
After washing, lay the sweater flat to dry and never put it in the dryer. Also, take a look at our wool washing video and read the wash guide included with your order carefully.
Can the MADNESS SOFIE pill?
Yes, it can. And that doesn't mean there is something wrong with your sweater. With natural fibers like wool, friction can cause small fibers to work their way out and form pills. This can happen especially at the beginning.
Please do not pull the little balls off with your fingers. That just pulls new fibers out of the knit. Instead, use a good fabric comb, such as our Gleener. This allows you to carefully remove pills without damaging your beautiful sweater.
Frequently asked questions about the MADNESS SOFIE
What is the SOFIE made of?
Of 60% organic wool and 40% organic cotton. This combination makes the sweater warm, breathable, and relatively light at the same time.
Is the SOFIE a thick wool sweater?
No. The SOFIE is actually quite finely and smoothly knitted. This makes it a very nice sweater for indoors and for the spring and autumn, but of course also as a layer in the winter.
Which colors are available?
We have the MADNESS SOFIE in green and Imperial Blue. Imperial Blue is a particularly intense blue with a somewhat purplish undertone.
Can I wash this wool sweater in the washing machine?
You can if your washing machine has a reliable wool cycle. Wash cold or at a maximum of 30 degrees with a suitable wool detergent and let the sweater dry flat afterward.
What do I do if my SOFIE pills?
A little pilling is normal with natural wool fibers. Carefully remove the pills with a Gleener fabric comb and do not pull them out of the fabric with your fingers.
So, are you looking for a wool sweater that doesn't immediately feel like you're heading to the North Pole? Then this is a very good choice. Nice and thin, beautiful in color, and so effortless that there is a good chance it will come out of your closet more often than you originally thought.