Alpacas are descendants of camels and cousins to llamas. They evolved thousands of years ago developing a fine hair with remarkable softness, fineness, length, warmth, and strength. This dense fiber is a result of their harsh environment and the elevation in which they originated, the Andes Mountains of South America. Cared for by Incan peoples, they were a species unable to be self-sustaining without human intervention. Even today, Alpacas need humans to survive the predators and conditions found in their natural environment.
In Incan times Alpacas were a valuable commodity. They were the first recorded form of currency. The wealthiest of society were revered for the numbers of Alpacas they owned and Alpacas became the status symbol of the culture.
Additionally, Alpaca is the name of fiber produced by lovable creatures. Alpaca became the fiber used to clothe the aristocrats in the 1800's and in Incan times Baby Alpaca; the first shearing of fiber produced by an Alpaca, was reserved for royalty. Punishment for wearing Baby Alpaca by anyone other than the elite of that society was harsh, sometimes even death.
Today we know that the Alpaca fiber is a natural insulator due to a hollow core in the fiber shaft. Without lanolin which is found in many other fibers; as well as the composition of the fiber, (it is free from cuticle, scales, dander and other undesirables )and it's freedom from contaminates, alpaca is naturally hypoallergenic and organic. Alpacas produce fiber with minimal guard hair, a course fiber, which means a substantial reduction in itch found in wool and other wool-like textiles. Naturally occurring in more than 22 colors, Alpacas' versatility is unmatched.
Alpacas have two classifications. Huacayas (Wic'-kiy-a) and Suri (Sir-e'). Huacayas, the predominant fiber (shown in photo above), is characterized by its fine fleece, spongy, fluffy look and wide range of colors. About 95% of our products are made of Huacayas Alpaca fiber. Suri is the least common Alpaca type. It has a lustrous and silky fiber. This animal has a unique appearance and produces the highest quality Alpaca fiber. Most Suri is white in color. We are proud to include Suri products in our product line.
Most people are familiar with Wool, Synthetics and Cashmere. Below is some useful comparisons.
Here is how Alpaca compares to Wool
Stronger (per same fineness)
Hollow fiber, warmer for equal weight
Softer, less irritating
Alpaca fiber is naturally hypoallergenic
Alpaca is free from dander and lanolin which cause allergic reactions*
Alpaca will stay cleaner longer because it is lanolin free and doesn’t hold dust.
Alpaca Superfine won’t mat or pill (some pilling in baby alpaca)
Alpaca has lots of rich, natural colors
Alpaca features less shrinkage (washable)
Alpaca is thermostatically superior (If worn in a 0 degree F environment, alpaca would provide a 50 degree F comfort range vs. 30 degree F for wool)
Here is how Alpaca compares to Synthetics
Alpaca offers superior breath ability
Alpaca wicks away body moisture
Alpaca is a hollow or mostly hollow fiber which offers greater warmth for the weight
Alpaca generates heat even when when wet conditions are present
Superfine Alpaca won’t mat or pill like other natural fibers. (some pilling may occur in due to fineness in baby alpaca)
Alpaca is naturally windproof
It is flame resistant (will not ignite) and doesn’t melt
It emits only a very low static electricity
It doesn’t hold debris and stays cleaner longer.
It is stain resistant and resists acquired odors (odors dissipate overnight)
It is wrinkle resistant (hang overnight, wrinkles disappear)
Alpaca is all natural and biodegradable
It has a natural luster, and is more attractive
Alpaca is thermostatically superior (If worn in a 0 degree F environment, alpaca would provide a 50 degree F comfort range vs. 20 degree F for synthetics)
Here is how Alpaca compares to Cashmere
Alpaca comes in many natural colors (up to 28)
Its thermal insulation is better than cashmere (alpaca is warmer)
It has better wrinkle resistance than that of cashmere and is stronger.
Alpaca pills less than cashmere, even when comparing the finest baby alpaca to it
Alpaca is similar to cashmere in water absorption as both absorb almost no moisture.
Flexibility of alpaca is less than cashmere in normal alpaca, similar to cashmere with baby alpaca
Shrinkage of alpaca is far less than cashmere
Alpaca is easier to care for than cashmere (cashmere is recommended dry clean only)
Alpaca is full of natural luster. Cashmere looses its luster after a couple of years while alpaca retains it for decades.
Alpaca Description provided by Inca Fashions.
Winterberry Farm Alpacas is pleased that it will be reselling fine alpaca apparel from Inca Fashions
