Top 5 *LUXE* Animal Fibres To Keep You Warm This Winter!
Animal Fibres are magic:
exceptionally warm
naturally breathable + moisture-wicking
retain heat well even when wet (unlike cotton / most synthetics)
resistant to static, wrinkles, and flame
they biodegrade + can be recycled!
animals are brushed / sheared to obtain the fibres (not killed)
thickness measured in microns (0.001mm); human hairs are about 70 microns
5) Cashmere
From the Cashmere GOAT. Matte, silky, fine. Weaker than wool and mohair. Warmer than merino. Vintage cashmere is generally higher quality (pre-1990s)!
The best cashmere gauge = 13-15 microns.
4) Merino
From the Merino SHEEP. Finer and longer (therefore softer) than regular wool. Most merino comes from Australia. More durable than cashmere, hence its use in performance wear.
Gauge = 18-24 microns.
3) Alpaca
From Alpacas - south american camelids (like llamas or vicuñas, part of the CAMEL family). Peruvians have been wearing it for centuries. Softer than cashmere, warmer than wool and cashmere, hypoallergenic. Naturally occurs in over 22 colours.
Gauge = 20-41 microns.
2) Mohair
From Angora GOATS (yes, the nomenclature gets confusing). Long, white, silky, shiny smooth fibres. More hairy than furry and kind of scratchy. You see this a lot in 70s and 80s coats and blankets. The most durable animal fibre.
Gauge = 23-38 microns.
1) Angora
From Angora RABBITS! Floaty, fluffy, lightweight, has a halo of silky fuzz. Super soft and furry. Naturally white, gray, brown, and black.
Gauge = 10-18 microns.
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