Merino Wool Crew Socks | Woman | Pilot

When Lamington founder, Sarah Teensma’s, daughters were young, she shared a frustration familiar to most parents - socks that simply won’t stay up or stay on active little legs. Already running business and looking to expand her brand, she saw an opportunity to not only add socks to her range, but to design them exactly the way she wanted them for her own children.

With her family’s close connection to skiing, she was inspired by the design of ski socks - with a key feature: sizing knitted into the sock to avoid confusion within the family! And so, Lamington’s signature, award-winning knee-high sock design was created.

Soon, word was out and demand grew, and what had begun as a kids’ t-shirt brand evolved into a premium merino wool sock brand. And while the range was initially designed for infants and children, Sarah found that women, who avidly bought socks for their kids, wanted their own Lamington socks. Once a women's range was launched, Sarah's husband borrowed her socks and became addicted, and a men's range was born.

Eighteen years on, Lamington has established a global reputation for producing high-quality merino socks and tights, made in New Zealand and stocked in high-end retailers throughout the country - and the world. And while Sarah is now supported by a tightknit team, her vision for Lamington has remained the same and is imbibed in the ethos and actions of us all: to consciously create a beautiful boutique range of top-drawer socks through the use of sustainable products and practices.

Our socks and tights are made from a blend of merino wool and other fibres, with merino content typically ranging from 48% to 70% depending on the style and design.

We use high quality merino yarns across all of our products. The variation you may notice in merino percentages comes down to how different manufacturers measure composition. Some calculate it based on the yarn before the sock is made, while others measure the finished product once it has been knitted and includes reinforcing and stretch fibres. Because of this, post production measurements can show a lower merino percentage, even though the yarn itself and the quality remain the same.

We focus on getting the right balance of warmth, softness and durability in every pair. Elastane helps the socks hold their shape and stay up, while nylon adds strength for everyday wear.

Pilling is caused by friction, the rubbing against another fabric or surface. To reduce pilling, we recommend washing inside out in a laundry bag. Pilling will increase when worn to bed and with crawling age infants. The feedback we have received is to turn socks inside out for bed or have a pair specifically for sleeping.

We care about the sheep that produce our fine merino wool. Our manufacturers confirm our merino wool is certified mulesed-free.

Merino Wool

Merino Wool is a completely natural fibre, it is grown by Merino Sheep. Made by nature merino wool is completely biodegradable. Your socks do need the small percentage of elastane to keep them up and the nylon gives that little bit of extra strength to help with wear.

Packaging

Our new packaging has been designed with no plastic hangers. Our printers are committed to the continued protection of our fragile environment and have instituted a number of policies designed to improve the sustainability of the business and its impact on the environment. 

They use certified stock where possible - stock processed from timber that has been legally harvested with a minimum of environmental harm thereby ensuring economical, ecological and socially sound outcomes. Using sustainably sourced paper and board, plus recycled paper options, and use only soya-based inks and water soluble wash-up products.

The inks are Soy Based which is 100% environmentally safe. 

Their plates are CTP Chemical Free so no chemicals are used when producing our plates ready for printing and our wash up is done using only water.

Our manufacturer believes heavily in sustainability and is based right here in New Zealand. They utilise strategic partnerships with factories who have signed declarations promoting ethical employment. Our manufacturer chooses to actively manage their consumables and are always looking to reduce the impact of this consumption.

Water: Sourced from local sources and all waste water is treated via local treatment plants

Power: Is sourced from local rain fed renewable resources continuing to drive their power consumption down, via the use of Industry 4.0 methodology.

Emissions: Natural gas is used for firing its boiler. Natural gas much more efficient and cleaner than other forms of firing such as heavy oil or diesel.

Living Wage is a fantastic initiative which recognises the economic inequality which sadly exists in our society. By supporting Living Wage, we are acknowledging the challenges hard working New Zealanders face to meet the basic needs of their families.

We strive to create and maintain a supportive, fun, and nurturing work environment for our team which extends to support a healthy work life balance.  Fair financial remuneration plays an important part in keeping this balance.

We are proud to be an accredited Living Wage employer and be part of this growing movement.

Lamington is proud to partner with The Campaign For Wool who aim to promote and educate the world about the wonders of wool fibre.

Initiated in 2010 by His Majesty King Charles III, when he was Prince of Wales , The Campaign for Wool (CFW) is a global endeavour raising awareness among consumers about the natural, renewable and biodegradable benefits offered by the fibre.

Encouraging collaboration between an international community of woolgrowers, major fashion designers, retailers, manufacturers, artisans and interior designers, the Campaign has been instrumental in educating consumers about the versatility of wool, and reconnecting them with its myriad of uses.