When you arrive in Cusco, you’ll be greeted with a beautiful array of colours from the “alpaca” shawls, sweaters, and socks being sold on the streets at reasonable prices.
However, you may notice some boutiques in the city with much higher prices compared to street vendors. This may lead you to wonder about the differences between them and what factors could be causing the price difference.
If you find yourself in Cusco or are considering a trip there, I have some valuable insights to share with you about alpaca products and the reasons behind the variations in their prices.
How to identify if a product is made of alpaca or synthetic material?
When I first got to Cusco, I was really impressed with all the different colours and designs of alpaca sweaters that were available for tourists to buy for just a few soles (around 10 USD). But when I bought some and then washed them, they ended up shrinking and giving me a rash. I asked some locals and found out that the fibre in those sweaters was synthetic, or at most, only 20-30% alpaca wool, even though they were advertised as pure alpaca.
After that experience, I decided to check out a small boutique and see how their products compared to what I had already bought. By the way, an excellent way to tell if alpaca wool is pure is by feeling the garment, which should feel cool to the touch. This unique feature helps alpacas stay comfortable in all kinds of weather, even extreme conditions.
Alpaca clothes feel much heavier than synthetic ones, making them easy to tell apart. Plus, they’re super stretchy, so they fit great no matter what your body type is. And the best part? They won’t shrink in the wash so you can count on them for a long time. Just remember to follow some simple washing instructions to keep them looking and feeling fabulous.
Types of alpaca and wool:
Alpacas are native to the Andes and have a special connection with llamas, guanacos, and vicuñas. They come in two different breeds – the Suri, which has a unique dreadlock-like coat and silky wool, and the Huacaya, which has a soft, fluffy coat and wool. It’s interesting to note that these two breeds produce different types of wool.
Thick
This wool tends to be the widest and is used to make carpets and linings.
Huarizo
Less thick than the first but is used for making knitted fabrics.
Alpaca Fleece
This wool is regularly obtained after shearing the alpacas annually. It is used to make coats, jackets and other accessories due to its excellent resistance and quality.
Baby Alpaca
Baby Alpaca wool is a premium material sourced from the first shearing of an alpaca when it is three years old. This wool is known for its delicacy and sophistication, making it an excellent choice for creating a variety of clothing items such as scarves, t-shirts, vests, and sweaters.
Royal Alpaca
Royal Alpaca wool is considered the most superior type of wool due to its exceptional quality. It is sourced from the finest and most delicate baby alpaca fibres, which account for only 1% of the world’s alpaca wool production. This exclusive wool variant is used to create the most luxurious and exquisite garments.
Why choose alpaca products?
When deciding on a purchase, it’s important to consider the quality, durability, and price. Alpaca wool is an excellent choice as it exceeds expectations – it has the ability to endure up to four times more than sheep’s wool while also being lighter and more elastic.
If you suffer from allergies, alpaca wool is an excellent choice due to its hypoallergenic features. This type of wool is gentle on the skin and has the ability to resist microorganisms and fungi, which makes it a safe and healthy option.
Due to the variety of natural colours present, this high-quality wool requires minimal or no added chemicals to achieve specific colours, with natural colours being the preferred choice.
Alpaca wool production is mainly based on traditional and natural methods that ensure sustainable and responsible consumption of their products.
Some of the shops that I can recommend are Kuna, Sol Alpaca and Inca Alpaca.
How to care for and maintain alpaca products?
It is recommended to avoid using washing machines for alpaca garments, and instead hand wash them with baby shampoo or detergent designed for delicate clothes due to their fragility.
To prevent wrinkles, it is important to lay your clothing on a towel to air dry before hanging it on a line. It is advised to refrain from using hooks or hangers in order to achieve the best results.
To protect your clothes from potential damage caused by animals, insects, or other harmful elements, it is essential to ensure they are completely dry before storing them in a sealed plastic bag at the end of winter.
Following these recommendations will ensure that you keep your alpaca garments for a long time.
When shopping in Cusco, it’s important to be aware of what you’re buying. Knowing the quality and value of products can help you avoid overspending on items that aren’t worth it. Just remember, the final decision is up to you!
If you’d like more information about alpaca products, have a look at this article HERE.