Alpaca clothing from Peru

Not all alpaca wool is the same, as it comes in five different qualities. Baby alpaca is the softest alpaca wool, it is guaranteed to be scratch-free and is even suitable for people who are allergic to wool and babies with sensitive skin.

Alpaca clothing is popular for warm winter clothing because it is the warmest wool in the world and is seven times warmer than sheep's wool. Warmest pullovers made of alpaca wool store body heat effectively, while thin alpaca clothing ensures temperature regulation and thus prevents sweating.

Alpaca wool clothing can absorb up to 25% of moisture and wick it away to the outside. It keeps you dry and comfortable and, thanks to its breathable properties, is also suitable for sporting activities. Alpaca wool is lighter than other types of wool, which makes it even more comfortable to wear.

Alpaca wool contains hardly any lanolin (wool fat), which often triggers allergic reactions such as skin irritation. Alpaca allergies are extremely rare with the softest baby alpaca wool. Alpaca clothing in the natural colors of the alpacas - cream, brown and black - does not require chemical dyeing and is ideal for allergy sufferers. Alpaca clothing is also antibacterial and reduces the formation of odors.

Alpaca fibers are resilient and robust and retain their shape and softness even after many years. Unlike cashmere, alpaca wool does not tend to pill. Thanks to its durability, alpaca clothing is easy to care for and can even be washed in the wool program of the washing machine.

Alpaca clothing is part of sustainable slow fashion, which places value on long-lasting quality without exploiting people or animals. Alpacas are environmentally friendly animals that contribute to the greening of the Andean landscape with their soft paw pads and their eating habits. Their colorful wool in cream, brown and black allows for the creation of special items of clothing that do not require any chemical dyes and are therefore not only kind to the environment, but also to your skin.

Baby alpaca wool does not come from alpaca babies or young animals, as the name suggests. Instead, it is only obtained from protected body parts such as the belly of adult alpacas and is the finest and rarest alpaca fiber. Baby alpaca quality stands for maximum softness and is more expensive due to its rarity. It is softer, warmer and silkier in shine than the lower qualities alpaca, fine and superfine.

Those interested in alpaca clothing want to ensure that they are purchasing alpaca wool without animal cruelty. To do this, you should look for animal welfare certificates such as the Responsible Alpaca Standard (RAS), the most well-known seal. We only purchase RAS-certified wool that has been obtained in an animal-friendly way.

Unlike Merino, there is not just one type of alpaca wool, but five quality levels that vary greatly in terms of softness. For textiles that come into contact with the skin, such as sweaters and scarves, we always recommend choosing the softest baby alpaca quality. Alpaca wool can be quite scratchy in the lower qualities alpaca, fine and superfine.

The special thing about alpaca wool is its semi-hollow fibers, which effectively store body heat and insulate against cold and wind. For alpaca clothing to be warm, it must contain a good proportion of alpaca wool and be tightly knitted. Thin alpaca clothing, on the other hand, is suitable for all seasons, as the wool adapts to the temperature and keeps you comfortably warm without making you sweat.

The Andes Mountains of Peru are the natural habitat of alpacas. There, the South American camels are exposed to extreme conditions of cold, wind and rain, as well as high temperatures and intense sunlight. These conditions ensure that they develop a soft, warm wool that protects them even from UV rays.

Alpacas kept in Germany and other European countries do not offer the same quality of wool as animals from Peru because their habitat is different.

Alpaca and merino offer similar characteristics, which is why it is difficult to distinguish between merino and alpaca. For our socks, we use a mix of alpaca and merino because they complement each other wonderfully. If you are looking for maximum warmth, we recommend alpaca wool as the warmest wool. Merino wool is better for outdoor clothing because it is a bit more breathable than alpaca.

Alpaca clothing is a premium niche in the clothing segment that you won't find on the shelves of cheap fast fashion retailers. The different qualities have to be sorted out by hand and the rarity of baby alpaca affects the price. While you get up to six kilograms of wool per alpaca shearing, only about 150 - 200 grams is the softest baby alpaca wool.

Alpaca clothing is popular with quality-conscious people who value convenience and comfort. Alpaca wool offers exactly that thanks to its softness, warmth and functional characteristics: elegance without having to sacrifice comfort. Alpaca pullovers are a long-term investment thanks to their durability.

The disadvantage of alpaca wool is its higher price. The fact that lower quality alpaca wool can be scratchy should also be taken into account before purchasing. Alpaca clothing is generally easy-care, but it must be cleaned carefully.

You can wash alpaca clothing by hand or in the wool program of the washing machine with wool detergent. It is important to use a low temperature of no more than 30°C and to avoid friction by treating it gently when hand washing and using a low spin speed in the washing machine. Alpaca clothing must not be put in the dryer or ironed, but must be air dried lying down.