What to wear in a Melbourne winter
A Melbourne winter calls for layered knitwear: a finer merino knit underneath, and a heavier knit or a coat-length cardigan on top. The rest of this guide sets out the Bureau of Meteorology figures and which fibre goes where.
The Wool Knitwear page holds 116 products, from $49 to $499 AUD.
How cold a Melbourne winter gets
The figures below come from the Bureau of Meteorology's Melbourne (Olympic Park) station, number 086338, covering the years 2013 to 2026.
| Month | Mean maximum | Mean minimum | Days of rain (1 mm or more) |
|---|---|---|---|
| May | 17.6°C | 9.8°C | 8.5 |
| June | 14.9°C | 7.8°C | 8.6 |
| July | 14.5°C | 7.6°C | 9.0 |
| August | 15.6°C | 8.1°C | 9.3 |
| September | 18.1°C | 9.6°C | 7.9 |
June and July show the lowest mean maximums and minimums, while August has the most rain days on average.
What goes underneath
The owners choose merino for the base layer because of its softness, warmth without weight, breathability, versatility and easy layering. House-brand knitwear is usually superfine 18.5 micron Australian merino. Our Merino page holds 193 products. One of the questions customers ask most often in the shop is whether merino is itchy, and the answer is in our guide Is merino wool itchy?
The layer on top
Cashmere is the premium fibre for softness and warmth. Merino and cashmere blends balance cashmere softness against merino durability. 100% merino is the versatile everyday choice. Medium weight wool is for warmth, durability and a substantial knit. A coatigan is a long, coat-length cardigan worn open as outerwear over a jumper, shirt or dress. Our Cashmere range lists 84 products, while Coatigans and Longline Cardigans holds 34 styles worn as the outer layer. Scarves have their own page, Scarves, with 42 listed.
What we tell customers in the shop
Customers most often ask whether merino is itchy, how warm it is, and how to wash and care for it. We tell them our superfine 18.5 micron Australian merino is soft and comfortable to wear while still providing warmth without feeling too heavy, and we recommend following the care instructions on the garment and washing gently. The full method is in How to wash a wool or merino jumper. Our staff give fitting and sizing advice, style and fibre help, and care advice. Our two Melbourne shops are at 520 Bourke Street in the CBD and 79 Glen Eira Road in Ripponlea. Both are open 10am to 6pm every day; public holiday hours vary.
Common questions
How cold is Melbourne in winter?
The Bureau of Meteorology's Melbourne (Olympic Park) station records for 2013 to 2026 show a July mean maximum of 14.5°C and a mean minimum of 7.6°C. August brings a mean of 9.3 rain days.
Is merino warm enough for a Melbourne winter?
The shop tells customers that superfine 18.5 micron Australian merino feels soft and gives comfortable warmth without weight. For a Melbourne winter, the advice is to wear merino as the layer underneath, with a heavier knit or a coatigan over the top.
Should I wear wool or merino in Melbourne in winter?
The owners' price ladder puts cashmere at the premium level for softness and warmth. A merino and cashmere blend sits between cashmere softness and merino durability. For everyday wear and the base layer, 100% merino does the job. A medium weight wool knit brings heft and substance as the outer layer.
What is a coatigan?
A coatigan is a cardigan cut to coat length, worn open over a jumper, shirt or dress. It is worn as an outer layer. The shop keeps 34 styles on its Coatigans and Longline Cardigans page.