Our Colors
All of our colors, even Black, were developed after some trial and error. Black was by far the easiest/quickest, of course. Lynx was the most difficult.
Interestingly, we did not begin to achieve the performance characteristics we sought until working on our Lynx Pattern. We learned later this is because Lynx Pattern requires the use of a Jacquard Loom, which creates a three-dimensional aspect to the Fabric that enhances weather-resistance. All of our Fabrics are woven on the Jacquard Loom because we require all of our FullWeight Fabrics to offer the same performance. (Similarly, of course, both our MidWeight Fabrics must offer the same performance, and are likewise woven on a Jacquard Loom.) It is extremely unusual to weave solid colors on a Jacquard because it is much more expensive. And actually all our Fabrics are woven in Lynx Pattern, but the Solids are woven from yarns of one color. Close examination of our Solid Colors will reveal the Lynx Pattern, which creates a richness of texture and a small difference in refraction of light, both of which help our Solids to disappear in Nature.
All our colors disappear in Nature (possibly excepting Black) but are also completely acceptable and admired in any social setting.
In the photo below, from left to right, Duff (since replaced by Brown), Drab, Lynx Pattern, Black:
- DRAB, second from the left in the above photo, and the entire photo below, is a solid color that we developed ourselves. It is similar to the familiar Olive Drab, but we have flattened it out even more by adding some gray. Drab really disappears in a lot of settings. When people see Drab, they often don't know what color to call it. We love that.
- LYNX is our own proprietary pattern. Lynx disappears in a wide variety of natural settings and is much admired as general outerwear. Debby laughingly started referring to Lynx as "camo-camo" when one of our customers told us about an incident in a shopping mall. A stranger was staring at his jacket, and eventually walked over and said very soberly, "You know, THAT would be good camouflage." Other customers have related identical experiences ... that is, people seeing Lynx somewhere and assuming the person wearing it did not understand the camo aspect. Along these lines, one of our Advisors is a well-known guy in outdoor circles, and he is sponsored by a big-time camo company. He asked them if he'd have to stop working with us, and they said we are no problem because we don't make camouflage clothing. And of course, the flip side is that people who are not camouflage-minded just think Lynx is a very interesting and attractive pattern, and really like it for the look alone. But people who "think camo" immediately know Lynx is great camo. Advisor Randy Dewing wore his Lynx Pattern Anorak over a dress shirt and tie to a graduation ceremony at the University where he is employed. You can see a picture on his Advisor page. His comments are typical: "What’s interesting about wearing the Lynx pattern is that no one seems to think it is camouflage. Whenever I wear camo people always give me good-natured ribbing about it. Wearing that Anorak, people comment on how nice the wool is, but no one says anything about camo. To me, it looks like a camouflage hunting jacket…but it’s just a nice wool coat if you aren’t a hunter." Other people have asked who is the designer. ......... Lynx uses four yarn colors and has been extensively field tested. The complexity of Lynx pattern requires it be woven on a Jacquard loom, but we also weave our Solid Colors on the Jacquard for the enhanced performance it enables in the Fabric.
Here is a sweet 10-second video a customer from Alaska sent us. He was on his ATV because of an ankle injury. His Lynx Pattern CPO was on the seat when the real thing walked by!
- BLACK, from WeatherWool, is a true black. Unlike our other colors, black is conspicuous in nature, at least to a human eye, but obviously works for a wide variety of birds and animals. Black is always a favorite color and works everywhere unless you are seeking concealment from human eyes in a lighted area. From my own experience, I don't think black is as conspicuous to animals as it is to people.
- BROWN is the classic basic BROWN, and another earth tone. Brown blends extremely well into natural settings, and Debby pointed out that is doubtless why Whitetail Deer are basic Brown. Brown looks great in a city setting.
- DUFF we no longer make the Duff color. When our original dye house was destroyed by Hurricane Ida, the new dye house somehow turned Duff into a classic Brown, and most people liked it better. But we have a lot of Duff garments out there, so Duff remains here for historical reasons. Duff and Drab are difficult to tell apart except in bright light. Colors that tend to look alike are known as metamers, and we did seek this effect during development. Please click here to read a little about the metamers Drab and Duff.
The dyes used to make WeatherWool fabric are "reactive" dyes, which are considered eco-friendly. They do not require the use of toxic mordants or fixatives, and do not use heavy metals.
Please check out this link for observations on Light Tests for different colored fabric.
12 February 2023--- Ralph