WHAT ARE NOBLE FIBRES?
Noble fibres are natural yarns that are celebrated for their exceptional softness, durability, and quality. These fibres, such as cashmere, merino wool and silk, have long been associated with exclusivity, hence the "noble" sobriquet. Only royalty, the aristocracy or the wealthy could afford these finest of fabrics. It was even illegal for the lower-classes to wear cloth and colours not intended for their rank. Anyway… vive la rèvolution! In today’s world, it is their innate qualities and sustainability, rather than any perceived notions of class, that make them noble .
At Furious Goose, we have worked with noble fibres from the very beginning. Absolutely no polyester here! From our largest scarves to our pocket squares, every detail is natural, biodegradable gorgeousness.
SILK:
We work with silk in all its glorious versatility. Many of our pieces are printed or woven in Macclesfield – the historic heart of British silk craftsmanship. Silk has been worked in this small English town for over 300 years, and we’re proud to support this traditional heritage industry.
We work with a range of silk weaves, each chosen for its unique properties. Silk twill, with its refined, lightly textured weave, is the prime choice for our pocket squares, scarves and neckerchiefs, offering a beautiful drape, textured grip for knotting your scarf and natural wrinkle resistance. Our digital printing experts deliver unparalleled crispness and vibrancy, and we pride ourselves on ink penetration that is so good we often struggle to tell the front of the print from the back.
Our almost weightless silk chiffon scarves are mesmerisingly sheer, creating diffuse layers of colour that glow like light through a stained glass window.
Our satin scarfs flow with an almost metallic sheen. Satin's shine comes from its weave structure, where long warp yarns float over multiple weft yarns before interlacing again. This creates fewer interruptions in the surface, reducing light scattering. Unlike other weaves, where yarns cross over each other more frequently, satin’s long 'floats' give it a smoother, slippier texture and that distinctive shiny look.
Finally for our neck ties, we use Italian saglia silk. This is a heavy, luxurious twill with pronounced ribbing which gives durability and a unique look.
WOOL:
Britain has long been in love with wool (as has Furious Goose). In the Middle Ages, English wool was considered the finest in Europe, sought after by weavers across the continent. It was so valuable that the wool trade became known as "the jewel in this realm," and an important pillar of our national prosperity.
It really can be considered a miracle material. It is a natural, renewable fibre that is both biodegradable and recyclable. Its curly fibers trap air, providing insulation to keep you warm in winter and cool in summer – even when wet. Naturally hypoallergenic, wool resists dust mites and contains no harsh chemicals. It’s durable, stain-resistant, and repels moisture thanks to its protective outer layer. Wool is also fire-resistant, breathable, and odor-resistant, helping regulate temperature and prevent unwanted smells. Soft yet resilient, it’s gentle enough for babies while standing up to everyday wear. Are you a convert?
At Furious Goose, we often work with merino – the crème de la crème of sheep’s wool. Compared to its coarser counterparts, merino is in a league of its own. Its shorter fibre length and fine diameter make it delightfully soft and comfortable against the skin – and none of that itch!
Our knitted scarves blend 90% merino wool with 10% cashmere. Each piece is individually knitted in London (Islington to be precise) using digital jacquard machines.
Another favourite fabric base of ours is a blend of silk and wool which combines the best of both worlds – intensity of colour, softness and warmth. We mainly use this fabric in our reversible scarves. These are versatile silk-wool tube scarfs with restrained elegance on the back and a party-for-the-eyes on the front.
We even use wool for some of our pocket squares, providing a refined yet relaxed alternative to silk, with an eye-catching texture and an elegant translucency.
CASHMERE:
Did you know that cashmere wool comes from goats? The cashmere and pashmina goat, to be precise. This ultra-soft fibre has been woven into luxurious textiles in Asia for thousands of years. Allegedly, it was Napoleon Bonaparte who sparked the first cashmere craze in Europe after bringing back some exquisite shawls from his Egyptian campaign.
Beyond its luxurious feel, cashmere is a hygroscopic fibre, meaning it naturally absorbs and releases moisture from the air. This useful trait helps regulate body temperature, keeping you warm in winter and cool in summer. And here’s the best part, weight for weight, cashmere is three times warmer than wool.
Our dyed cashmere is expensive. But it really does last, with none of the pilling that you get with lesser fabrics. As the saying goes... "I'm too poor to buy cheap things"... meaning that you really do get what you pay for sometimes.
If you're seeking something truly decadent, our giant opera scarves are fabric royalty. They are crafted from the finest dyed cashmere on one side, printed silk satin on the other and finished with a swooshing hand-tied silk fringe.
PLANT-BASED FIBRES:
Silk and wool may be the darlings of the noble fibre world, but they are by no means the only materials worth celebrating. Plant-based fibres offer their own unique properties – breathability, versatility, and sustainability – all while maintaining the high quality handle and colour saturation we demand from Furious Goose textiles.
We have some wonderful printed shirts that are made from ECOVERO, a sustainable alternative to traditional viscose. Sourced from certified renewable wood-pulp, this silky soft fabric is created using low-impact processes and is 100% biodegradable.
Meanwhile, our jacquard jumpers are made with ethically sourced BCI cotton, a fibre that offers both softness and durability without compromising on ethical production.
WHY IT MATTERS:
So why do we go the extra mile to use only natural fabrics – aside from the fact that they look and feel incredible? Today, 60% of all textiles are synthetic, with polyester leading the charge by a mile. Promoted by the oil industry and made from the same material as plastic bottles, polyester doesn’t biodegrade like natural fibres do – it can linger in the environment for centuries. What's more, with every wash, these garments shed microplastics into our water systems which have begun to appear in our bodies(!), while landfill waste seeps into soil and groundwater, causing lasting damage. As if that wasn't bad enough, from a wearer’s perspective, polyester is non-breathable, meaning it traps moisture and retains odours. Yuck! No, thank you!
By choosing to work exclusively with noble fibres, Furious Goose makes a conscious commitment to reducing waste, pollution, and our impact on the planet – without ever compromising on quality. We put in the extra time and craftsmanship because it’s worth it in every way. The result? Accessories that don’t just stand the test of time but help shape a better, more sustainable future for fashion.
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