Reiff · Women's Merino Wool Dress
Women's Wool Crepe Tunic Dress Sophie
100% organic merino wool crepe. Mid-weight, turtleneck, side pockets. German-made, naturally draping standalone piece for fall, winter, and spring wear.
The Maker
Reiff: German Merino Since 1950
Reiff manufactures fine merino and wool knitwear in the Swabian Alps region of Germany, where the company has been family-owned for three generations. Wool is sourced from mulesing-free organic farms in Patagonia, then washed, spun, dyed, and knitted entirely in Germany—a supply chain designed for quality and accountability.
The Sophie is Reiff's signature women's dress: refined, wearable year-round in cooler seasons, and designed as a standalone piece—not a base layer. It pairs effortlessly with leggings for everyday wear or stands alone on mild days.
When to Wear
Year-Round Standalone Piece
Fall: Wear solo on cool days or layer over a slip when temperatures drop. The mid-weight crepe provides warmth without bulk. Pair with boots or flats.
Winter: Layer over thermal leggings or merino base layers. The turtleneck and long sleeves offer substantial warmth. Add a jacket or cardigan for outdoor cold.
Spring: Ideal on mild, breezy days when weight matters but warmth is still needed. Drapes beautifully and travels without wrinkling.
For sensitive skin: 100% organic merino at fine micron count (typically 17–19 microns) is soft enough for most wearers. If you're new to merino, this crepe weave is kind to the skin and refines beautifully with wear.
Crepe construction = structure and drape
The crepe weave creates a fabric with natural texture, resilience, and elegant drape. It resists wrinkles, moves naturally with your body, and doesn't cling like lighter knits. This is a dress you can travel with and wear all day.
Fiber & Craft
Materials & Construction
Fiber Composition: 100% organic merino virgin wool (from certified organic farms, kbT standard)
Knit Construction: Fine crepe weave—a textured knit structure that creates natural body and drape without bulk. Lighter and more structured than fleece; moves naturally throughout the day.
Certifications: GOTS-certified organic merino wool
Manufacturing: Made in Germany, Swabian Alps region
Fabric Weight: Mid-weight [Verify GSM from manufacturer or authorized retailer—not published in current sources]
Design Details: High turtleneck collar, long sleeves, above-knee tunic length, side pockets, gentle relaxed fit
100% Organic Merino Wool
Fine micron count (typically 17–19μ) sourced from mulesing-free Patagonian farms. Naturally temperature-regulating, moisture-wicking, and odor-resistant. At this micron count, soft and wearable for most skin types, including sensitive skin.
Fine Crepe Weave
A textured knit that drapes elegantly without clinging. Crepe resists wrinkles, provides natural body and structure, and feels refined against skin. Lighter than boiled wool, more structured than jersey.
Turtleneck & Pockets
High turtleneck provides warmth and definition; side pockets offer genuine everyday practicality. These design details are intentional—not afterthoughts—reflecting German craft traditions.
No Harmful Finishes
GOTS-certified means no chemical treatments, heavy-metal dyes, or synthetic softeners. Dyes are eco-friendly and traceable. Pure fiber, pure craftsmanship.
What It Does
Key Features
Natural Drape
The crepe weave creates elegant, fluid drape that flatters without clinging or adding bulk. Moves naturally as you move throughout your day.
Temperature-Regulating
Merino adapts to your body's warmth, keeping you comfortable as temperatures shift throughout the day. Layer or wear alone depending on conditions.
Odor-Resistant
Merino resists bacterial growth naturally. This dress rarely needs washing—airing between wears often restores freshness, extending garment life.
Wrinkle-Resistant
The crepe structure resists wrinkles naturally. This dress packs well and looks polished after travel or storage—no steaming required.
Made in Germany
Three generations of Reiff craftsmanship. Quality control at every step. Accountability and transparency you can trace.
GOTS & kbT Certified
Certified organic fiber from certified organic livestock farming. No pesticides, no mulesing, no synthetic dyes. Ethical from farm to finished garment.
Fit & Sizing
Size Chart & Important Note
Reiff women's sizing does not include a Medium. Available sizes are XS, S, L, and X-Large only. If you typically wear a Medium, compare your measurements to the chart and choose between S (for a snug fit) or L (for a relaxed fit).
The Sophie is designed with a gentle, relaxed fit that flatters without restricting. It's long enough to wear as a dress over leggings or as a standalone tunic on mild days.
| Size |
Chest (cm) |
Dress Length (cm) |
Fit |
| XS |
~84–92 |
~88–90 |
Snug to regular |
| S |
~94–102 |
~90–92 |
Regular to relaxed |
| L |
~104–112 |
~92–94 |
Relaxed |
| X-Large |
~114–122 |
~94–96 |
Relaxed to loose |
How to measure: Chest: measure around the fullest part of your bust. Length: from the top of your shoulder to where you want the dress to fall (typically above the knee for dress length; a few inches longer for tunic over leggings). If between sizes, consider: S for a snug, defined silhouette; L for ease and layering room.
The Real Talk
Who It Works For & What to Know
Best For
Women seeking a refined, naturally draping standalone piece that performs across multiple seasons. Anyone with sensitive skin or wool-averse from past experiences with coarse wool (fine merino is genuinely different). Women who value quality German craftsmanship and don't mind investing in pieces that last. Anyone seeking an alternative to fast-fashion dresses—this is a piece you'll rotate season after season and pass down or resell.
Trade-Offs
Care commitment: Merino requires hand wash in cold water with wool-specific detergent. No hot water, no tumble drying. If you're used to machine-washing everything, this is a shift in routine. No Medium sizing: Reiff's women's line intentionally skips Medium—this is a constraint if that's your usual size. You'll need to choose S or L based on your measurements and how you want the dress to fit. Limited color range: Reiff offers classic and deep colors (not seasonal trend colors). This is a feature if you want timeless pieces; a limitation if you seek variety. Price: This is heritage European manufacturing. You're paying for three generations of family craftsmanship, ethical sourcing, and transparency. It's a premium price point.
The Investment Case
A properly cared-for merino crepe dress lasts years of regular wear and improves with age—wool softens and becomes even more luxurious. Unlike synthetics, it won't pill, lose shape, or degrade from wear and washing. The mid-weight crepe is versatile: you'll layer it in winter, wear it solo in fall and spring, and reach for it repeatedly across seasons. It packs wrinkle-free for travel. Over time, one Reiff dress replaces multiple fast-fashion pieces. If quality, ethics, and longevity matter to you, this justifies its price.
Keeping It Fresh
Care & Washing
Hand wash or delicate cycle Cold water only Wool-specific detergent Lay flat to dry No tumble dry
The short version: Merino rarely needs washing. Air your dress between wears—hang it or lay it flat for 24 hours and most odors fade naturally. Wool regenerates in fresh air.
When a full wash is needed: Hand wash in cold water with wool-specific detergent (Eucalan, Sonett wool wash, or equivalent). Submerge gently; do not agitate or wring. Press water out softly. Lay flat on a clean towel to dry, reshaping as it dries. Drying typically takes 24–48 hours.
Why: Hot water, agitation, and tumble drying cause merino to felt, shrink, and lose shape. Cold water and gentle handling preserve fiber structure and the refined hand feel of the crepe.
Pilling: With proper care and the crepe weave structure, pilling is minimal. Any small balls that form can be gently removed with a wool comb or soft brush once dry.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Will this itch? I've had bad experiences with wool before.
Fine merino at 17–19 microns is genuinely different from coarse wool or typical sweater wool. At this fineness, it's soft enough for most people with sensitive skin. That said, a small percentage of people are still sensitive to wool fiber itself. If you've reacted to merino or wool before, test a small swatch first or choose a blend instead. For first-time wool wearers or sensitive skin, this crepe is one of the gentlest options.
Is it really mid-weight? Will I be warm enough in winter?
Yes. The crepe construction provides genuine mid-weight warmth. In mild winter (45–55°F) with a windproof jacket, this dress worn solo performs well. In cold winter (below 40°F), layer it over thermal leggings or a merino base layer. Merino's temperature-regulating properties mean you won't overheat in a layered system.
How often do I need to wash this?
Merino is naturally odor-resistant. Most wearers air the dress between wears (24–48 hours hanging or laid flat) and only fully wash every 5–10 wears or when visibly soiled. This reduces water, detergent, and care time compared to synthetic dresses.
I usually wear a Medium. Which size should I pick?
Reiff intentionally doesn't make a Medium. Compare your measurements to the S and L options: if your chest is 94–102 cm, choose S for a regular-to-relaxed fit; if 104–112 cm, choose L. Consider how you want to wear the dress: snug and defined (S), or relaxed and easy to layer (L). Try both if possible before committing.
Can I machine wash on delicate?
Many merino pieces tolerate a wool or delicate cycle with cold water and wool detergent. Hand wash is safest, but if you machine wash, use cold water, wool detergent, and lay flat to dry immediately—never tumble. Test this method on one wear before committing it to regular machine washing.
What does "crepe" mean? How is it different from other merino dresses?
Crepe is a textured knit weave that creates natural body and structure without bulk. It resists wrinkles, drapes elegantly, and feels refined. Compared to jersey knit (lighter, clingier), crepe is more structured and sophisticated. Compared to boiled wool (heavier, felted), crepe is lighter yet still provides warmth and drape. It's the sweet spot between performance and elegance.
How long will this last?
Properly cared-for merino dresses last 5+ years of regular wear, often improving with age as wool softens. The investment cost is offset by durability: synthetic dresses typically degrade within 1–2 years. Over a decade, merino becomes the economical choice and the more conscious one.
Shipping & Packaging
All EcoAble orders ship in plain, unmarked packaging. Made-in-Germany quality, discreetly delivered.