If you have been looking at winter dresses, you have probably come across the name "Punto Milano" and wondered what it actually is. Is it a type of wool? A brand? Something Italian and expensive? This guide explains what Punto Milano is, how it differs from wool, and how to decide which one suits you, with honest answers on warmth, feel and care.
What is Punto Milano?
Punto Milano, also called Milano rib or Milano stitch, is not a fibre. It is a way of knitting. The name comes from Italian: punto means stitch, and Milano is the city. A Punto Milano fabric is a double knit, which means it is made of two layers of loops knitted together on a double-bed machine.
That construction gives the fabric a few typical qualities:
- Stability. A double knit stretches less than a single jersey, so it keeps its shape rather than sagging or clinging.
- A smooth surface on both sides. The face looks clean and slightly matte, without the visible ribs of many knits.
- Body. It has more weight and structure than a T-shirt fabric, so a dress can hold an A-line or a collar.
Because Punto Milano describes the knit, not the fibre, it can be made from different yarns. That is why the fibre composition on the label matters more than the name.
What our Punto Milano is made of
The Italian Punto Milano knit we use for our Punto Milano dresses is:
60% viscose, 35% polyamide, 5% elastane.
So it contains no wool. Viscose gives it a soft hand, polyamide adds strength and helps the fabric hold its shape, and the small share of elastane gives it some stretch for movement. It is not a natural fibre fabric, and we do not describe it as one.
Punto Milano vs wool: the honest comparison
Here is how the two compare on the things people usually ask about. By "wool" we mean a typical wool dress fabric. Wools vary a lot, as our guide to 18 types of wool fabric shows.
Fibre
Wool is an animal fibre. Our Punto Milano is a blend of viscose, polyamide and elastane. If you want a wool-free dress, Punto Milano is the one. If you specifically want a natural fibre, it is not.
Feel on the skin
Some people find wool prickly, especially coarser wools at the neck and wrists. Punto Milano has no wool fibres, and its surface is smooth. If wool is what irritates you, a wool-free knit removes that cause. Our guide to making wool less itchy has tips if you would rather keep wearing wool.
Warmth
This is where wool usually wins. Wool is well known for warmth, which is why we wrote about why wool matters in wintertime. A Punto Milano dress is a substantial knit with long sleeves in most styles, but on a cold day it works best with tights, a coat and perhaps a cardigan. If you need maximum warmth from a single layer, choose wool.
Shape and creasing
The double-knit construction keeps Punto Milano stable, and our dresses in it are wrinkle-resistant, so they come out of a bag or a long day at a desk looking much the same as they went in. Wool knits vary: some hold their shape well, others relax with wear.
Care
Many wool garments ask for hand washing or a special wool cycle, and wool should not go in a hot tumble dryer (see how to wash wool). Our Punto Milano dresses can be machine washed inside out at 30°C on a gentle cycle, dried flat, and ironed warm on the reverse if needed. No bleach, no soaking, no tumble dryer.
So which should you choose?
Choose wool if you want the warmest single layer, you like a natural fibre, and wool does not bother your skin. Our Winter collection includes wool pieces such as the GLIDE lined wool midi dress.
Choose Punto Milano if wool itches you or you prefer a wool-free dress, you want a smooth knit that holds a neat shape, and you like being able to machine wash on a gentle cycle. You will layer for the coldest days.
Plenty of people wear both: a Punto Milano dress against the skin, with a wool cardigan or coat over the top where it never touches the neck or wrists.
Punto Milano dresses to look at
All of these are designed and sampled in our Vilnius studio and handmade in Lithuania, in small batches or one by one, in sizes XS to XXL.
- JAZZ – Belted V-Neck Dress: a V-neck, long sleeves, a tie belt at the waist and an A-line skirt around the knee, with side pockets.
- STORY – Portrait Neck A-Line Dress: a wide folded neckline and deep side pockets in a relaxed A-line.
- SUNSHINE – Gathered Waist Midi Dress: a V-neck, softly gathered waist and full skirt below the knee.
Many pieces are sewn to order, and the product page shows the dispatch time before you buy. If a dress is not right when it arrives, eligible items can be returned within 30 days of delivery under our return policy.
In short
Punto Milano is a stable, smooth double knit, not a fibre. Ours is 60% viscose, 35% polyamide and 5% elastane, so it is wool-free, easy to care for and holds its shape, but it is not as warm as wool on its own. If that trade suits you, browse the full Punto Milano collection.
