Alpaca wool or cashmere? Both are known for their luxurious feel, their softness, and warmth, hugging you in a comfy garment that keeps you cosy even during cold winters. 

Still, these two fabrics are not the same - to understand the key differences, we’ve prepared a quick guide below

Softness

Cashmere is thought to be one of the softest fabrics in the world - if you were to get your hands on a cashmere scarf or sweater, you’d know why. With a fibre thickness of 19 microns and a lightweight feel, cashmere is a fine choice for both everyday wear and high-end fashion.

While not as well-known, alpaca wool can be just as, or even softer than, cashmere. The thickness of the fibres can range from 18 to 23 microns, giving it a smooth texture that feels like a warm embrace on your skin.

Appearance

Both cashmere and alpaca wool can be used to create wonderful garments, from sweaters and cardigans to luxurious accessories. Still, alpaca wool fiber has a natural sheen that makes it pop more than the usually dull cashmere.

Durability

Cashmere fabrics made from Kashmir goatskin fibre are soft and delicate, which means they unfortunately wear out quickly. Cashmere clothing tends to stretch easily, and is also more prone to pilling.

 

Alpaca wool, however, is known for its long-term durability. It’s thicker fibres help it last longer even when worn regularly, as it doesn’t pill or stretch as much as cashmere. Once you get your alpaca sweater, you can be sure you’ll wear it for a long time.

Water Resistance

Both alpaca and cashmere fibres are water-resistant, which is an added bonus compared to other natural fibres.

Insulation

The thicker fibres of alpaca wool make it a much warmer, more insulating material, perfect for the colder months. But it’s not just that - alpaca fiber structure comes with a hollow core, which contains microscopic air pockets. This helps trap air inside, improve thermal insulation, and makes clothing much more breathable, increasing overall comfort. 

The softness of cashmere fibres also makes it an insulating fabric, though it may not retain heat as efficiently as alpaca wool. 

Popularity

Both cashmere and alpaca wool are considered luxury fabrics, and for good reason. Both can be used to create soft and smooth clothes that feel amazing on the skin, while keeping you warm and cosy. 

Cashmere has been around for much longer, meaning its demand has grown a lot in recent years. To keep up with the growing market, you’ll find that a lot of clothes nowadays use either blends or synthetic cashmere imitations of a much lower quality.

Alpaca fabric is still decently niche. With a lot less demand, production can focus on quality, which is why most alpaca products are made using 100% alpaca wool. This also means that the fabric is used for higher-end fashion and can be rarer to find, and will also have a higher price compared to poor-quality cashmere imitations. 

Price

While an alpaca wool garment will be more expensive than any cashmere blend or imitation, it is still not as pricy as high-grade cashmere goat fabric. You can get the same luxurious feeling of 100% cashmere with a lower price tag attached to it.

Cleaning

Cashmere fibre is known to retain some odours, so you’ll need to dry clean it frequently. Moths also LOVE cashmere, and are likely to be attracted even more to an unclean sweater.

Luckily, alpaca fibre is much easier to maintain and clean, and also won’t retain dirt and smells nearly as much.

Alpaca vs. Cashmere - Which One Is More Sustainable?

With cashmere growing in popularity around the globe, there have been numerous reports of massive grasslands being decimated in China and Mongolia, in favour or Kashmir goat farms. The effects of fast fashion and mass production on our environment have raised many concerns over the years, and it’s important to be informed before choosing any products off the shelf. 

If you’re looking for stylish fashion with a lower carbon footprint, alpaca wool is the perfect choice. Alpacas require a lot less resources to grow, and the lesser demand also means they can roam their natural land freely instead of being raised in farms. Alpaca garments are not only good for the environment, but also ethical and animal-friendly!

Alpacas also produce a lot more wool than Kashmir goats. To make a 100% cashmere garment, you will need four goats, while a single alpaca can produce enough wool for 4-5 sweaters.

Alpaca wool also comes in 22 natural color variations, whereas cashmere wool must be dyed artificially (with substances that might also be harmful to Mother Earth.

Is Alpaca Wool Better Than Cashmere?

So, let’s sum it all up! Alpaca wool is:

• Just as soft, if not even softer than cashmere, with an added sheen that gives it a luxurious feel

• Long-lasting, not as prone to stretching and pilling as cashmere

• More insulating, making it a better, more comfortable choice for the winter weather

• Much more ethical and sustainable than cashmere & other animal fibers, as alpaca wool production involves better animal-raising conditions

With all things considered, we can say with 100% certainty that alpaca wool is better than cashmere, and a top choice for your cold-weather wardrobe.

Protect The Environment In Style With Forever Amano

At Forever Amano, we bring the craftsmanship of Ecuadorian knitters straight to your wardrobe, giving you a choice of alpaca sweaters, cardigans, accessories, & even homeware to choose from. Choose your fave below, or browse our collection of alpaca wool clothes to find your next best sweater, direct from South America.