Real Alpaca or Synthetic Wool?

Real Alpaca or Synthetic Wool?

While you are shopping in Peru, you are sure to come in contact with baby alpaca sweaters, scarves, and blankets listed at unbeatable prices. However, most times these are not genuine wool and the vendors try to fool you with brushed acrylic. However, we have gathered a few tips to help you distinguish what is real and what is fake! But first, we should define what baby alpaca actually is.

Some people have the misconception that baby alpaca has to do with the age of the alpaca, but this is not entirely true. In reality, baby alpaca refers to the first shearing of the chest of the alpaca, where the fleece is the softest. Usually, this happens within the first year or two of its life.

1. Natural colors: Most of the time, baby alpaca products are produced in natural looking colors such as browns, whites, grays, and reds. So, if you see a product that is brightly colored, it is most likely not genuine!
2. The Weight: Baby alpaca is a lot heavier than synthetic wool
3. The Touch: Brushed acryclic is a lot warmer to the touch than alpaca wool
4. The Inside: Brushed acrylic will be soft on the outside, like authentic wool, but the inside will be rougher. There will also be no inside seams!
5. The Price: Baby Alpaca is not cheap! If you are offered a sweater for 30 soles, it is not authentic.