Step Aside, Cashmere: Alpaca is the Hot Fiber in Our Fave Sweaters This Winter

Name: 9. Zara Basic Alpaca and Wool Blend Sweater
Brand: Zara
Price: 50 USD

Including a luxe crew on sale for $100

By Dana Dickey

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Published Dec 9, 2023

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alpaca-vs-cashmere: two sweaters and an alpaca

Everlane; a.t. I images/Getty; Jenni Kayne

Shots fired: I’m going to go for the alpaca sweater over cashmere every time. Recently, the large number of super-soft and stylish sweaters I’ve seen made of alpaca have made me an evangelist for the fiber, which comes from an animal called the alpaca that is a member of the camelid family (so, basically it’s a cousin to the llama and the camel). Mostly sourced from small herders in Peru, where the tiny-headed, shaggy-bodied animals have been raised for hundreds of years, alpaca is really popping off in designer and large retailer collections lately and I argue it’s superior to wool and cashmere: Why? Let’s look at the data:

According to a 2006 Texas A & M scientific study, Alpaca is superior to wool because it’s:

less resistant to compression (softer)
stronger
made of semi-hollow fibers that enhance insulation in a lightweight way

Not only that, but according to the Council of Fashion Designers Association:

goat and sheep hooves cause land degradation when those animals are grazing, while the padded feet of alpaca gently move over pastures without harming them
alpaca need less food and water than goats and sheep
alpaca hair is less itchy than wool because it does not contain lanolin, the fiber coating in wool that is an irritant
due to its long fibers, alpaca is less vulnerable to pilling than wool and cashmere
the wide range of naturally occurring alpaca colors (from whites and browns to grays and blacks) means designers can make garments in a wide range of colors without dyeing

TLDR: All these are great reasons to opt for alpaca, but primarily, I reach for my alpaca sweaters mostly because of how they look—the fibers are thicker than the cashmeres I own, and therefore look more chunky and textural when woven into the boxy crew necks and cardigans I prefer. And yes, the extra lightweight softness is a major attribute, too. Here are some of the latest and greatest alpaca pieces I’m loving now.

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Jenni Kayne

1. Jenni Kayne Alpaca Cocoon Cardigan

Pros:

oversized fit
coordinated faux-horn buttons

Con:

limited colorways

Jenni Kayne

Sizes: XXS to XXL
Fabric: 70 percent baby alpaca, 23 percent polyamide, 7 percent merino wool

We’ve long been obsessed with Jenni Kayne’s alpaca blanket, and this chunky v-neck sweater is basically a version we can wear in public. Note: “baby alpaca” isn’t derived from young animals, it’s collected from an under-layer of alpaca hair that’s even finer and silkier than regular alpaca, while still maintaining the same insulation, strength and hypoallergenic qualities.

Buy It ($395)

Everlane

2. Everlane The Alpaca Crew

Pros:

15 colors
slouchy fit

Con:

cuffs are cut a bit narrow

Everlane

Sizes: XXS to XXXL
Fabric: 58 percent alpaca, 34 percent nylon (21 percent recycled), 8 percent Merino wool

The airy ribbed knit on this boyfriend sweater makes it feel lightweight (thanks, nylon fibers) and look way more expensive than it is.

Buy It (~~$118;~~ $100)

Quince

3. Quince Baby Alpaca-Wool Crew

Pros:

double-ribbed neckline
cropped style

Cons:

limited colorways
raglan sleeve might appear to narrow shoulders

Quince

Sizes: XS to XL
Fabric: baby alpaca wool, extra-fine merino wool, and nylon

A shorter length ensures petites don’t get lost under all that knit fabric; the smooth hand resists pilling.

Buy It ($50)

lululemon

4. lululemon Alpaca Wool-Bend V-Neck Sweater

Pros:

ultra-lightweight
contrast ribbed neck and hem

Con:

single colorway

lululemon

Sizes: XS to XL
Fabric: body - 26 percent polyamide, 25 percent alpaca hair, 24 percent Merino wool, 22 percent recycled polyester, 3 percent elastane

The oversized fit of this V-neck makes it great for layering and the ribbed contrast hem and neck kick it up a notch from the usual boyfriend sweater. Plus, that lavender colorway is going to make you happy just by slipping it on.

Buy It ($148)

Saks Fifth Avenue

5. Frame Marled Crop Cardigan

Pros:

cropped length
ribbed hem

Con:

branded buttons are hard to match

Frame

Sizes: medium, large
Fabric: 64 percent alpaca, 18 percent Pima cotton, 17 percent nylon, 1 percent wool

Alpaca plus cotton makes for a super-soft feel and the oatmeal colorway is go-with-everything cold-weather perfection.

Buy IT (~~$478;~~ $335)

Nordstrom

6. AllSaints Britt Open Stitch Alpaca Blend Sweater

Pros:

flattering 20-inch length
ultra lightweight

Con:

open weave slightly see-through

AllSaints

Sizes: XS to L
Fabric: 69 percent alpaca, 31 percent nylon

Is it a grunge throwback? A nouvelle vague style reference? This chunky ribbed knit with horizontal stripes is kicky and cool.

Buy IT (~~$279~~; $167)

Doen

7. Doen Anika Sweater

Pros:

handmade in Peru
cuddy cable knit

Con:

pricey

Doen

Sizes: XS to XL
Fabric: 74 percent Suri alpaca, 22 percent Merino wool, 4 percent polyamide

This hand-knit chunky sweater is heirloom quality, and the bright pumpkin yarn is your pumpkin spice latte in luxury sweater form.

Buy It ($498)

Farfetch

8. Polo Ralph Lauren Fair Isle Jumper

Pros:

intarsia knit
ribbed cuffs and hem

Con:

pricey

Polo Ralph Lauren

Sizes: M to XL
Fabric: alpaca wool 85 percent, polyamide 15 percent

This dark brown turtleneck looks like the slouchy ski sweater you’d wear on the slopes at a fancy ski resort and look great with it over a maxi skirt and boots in front of the fireplace after.

Zara

9. Zara Basic Alpaca and Wool Blend Sweater

Pros:

round neck
cropped

Con:

Hem is unribbed

Zara

Sizes: S to XL
Fabric: 34 percent alpaca, 33 percent wool, 29 percent polyamide, 4 percent elastane

This lightweight and well-priced long-sleeve sweater has an attractive rounded neck and drape that is both sexy and ladylike. It's available in powder blue and taupe.

Buy It ($50)

Dana Dickey

Senior Editor

Dana Dickey is a PureWow Senior Editor, and during more than a decade in digital media, she has scoped out and tested top products and services across the lifestyle space...

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