Alpaca Jumpers for Women: Blends, Fit and Care Guide

An alpaca jumper is a knitted sweater made from the fleece of the alpaca, a South American relative of the llama, valued for being warm, light and soft against the skin, and often blended with nylon to help the knit keep its shape. See our guide to 16 Arlington knitwear, where the new Dovico Jumpers in pink and camel lead, both finished with an ostrich feather hem.

This guide covers what alpaca feels like, how blends change a jumper, which shapes to look for, how to wear a feather-trimmed knit, and how to care for alpaca so it lasts.

What alpaca is like to wear

Alpaca fleece is known for warmth without bulk. A jumper can feel thick and airy yet weigh less than you expect, which makes it good for layering under a coat. The fibre has a soft, slightly fluffy handle and a gentle halo that blurs the stitches, so an alpaca knit looks cosy even in a simple stitch. It is also known to feel less itchy than many wools, which is why people who find wool scratchy often reach for it.

Pure alpaca is soft but can lose its shape, stretching at the hem and cuffs over time. That is why many houses blend it.

Alpaca blends: what the label tells you

A blend changes how a jumper behaves. Nylon adds strength and helps the knit spring back. A touch of elastane gives stretch at the neck and cuffs. Acrylic adds bulk at a lighter weight.

The two new Dovico Jumpers show the difference within one design. The 16 Arlington Dovico Jumper in Camel is 78% alpaca, 19% nylon and 3% elastane, so it is the more alpaca-rich of the two. The 16 Arlington Dovico Jumper in Pink is 52% alpaca, 30% nylon, 16% acrylic and 2% elastane. Both have a trim of 100% ostrich feather and are made in China.

When you compare alpaca jumpers, read the composition before the colour. A higher alpaca share usually means more softness and halo; more nylon usually means a firmer knit that holds its line.

Shapes to look for

Relaxed and slouchy. 16 Arlington designs the Dovico with a relaxed, slouchy fit that drapes over the frame, with a scoop neckline. It comes in S, M and L, and the model wears a UK 8. The Dovico Jumper in White is already on Coveti.

Boxy. A square body with dropped shoulders. The Toteme Boxy alpaca knit in Black is the plain black version.

Classic sweaters. Look at the Isabel Marant Lily Alpaca Sweater in Beige and the Isabel Marant Obeline Alpaca Sweater in Camel, and the The Frankie Shop Willy Alpaca Knit Sweater in Navy.

Cardigans. For an open layer, there is the Erdem Boucle Alpaca Cardigan and the The Frankie Shop Elland Oversized Alpaca Cardigan in Olive Brown.

How to wear a feather-trimmed alpaca jumper

16 Arlington is best known for feather and sequin eveningwear, and the Dovico carries that into knitwear. The feather hem adds contrast and texture to the soft knit, so keep everything below it simple. Tailored black trousers and a slim skirt let the feathers move. A slouchy fit wants a slimmer leg, so avoid very wide trousers that compete with the hem.

The camel works for day with denim and loafers. The pink is the party option: wear it with black satin trousers and a heel for a festive dinner. If you like the feathers more than the knit, browse our feather tops.

Comparison matrix: alpaca jumpers on Coveti

How we measured. Composition, trim, origin and sizes for both Dovico Jumpers come from the 16 Arlington product pages. Colour and sizes for the other jumpers come from the Coveti catalogue on 07 November 2026. Where a house has not given us a detail, the cell says so.

How to care for an alpaca jumper

16 Arlington labels the pink Dovico professional dry clean only and the camel specialist dry clean only, which matters more than usual because of the feathers. For any alpaca knit, store it folded flat in a drawer, never on a hanger, since the weight pulls the shoulders out of shape. Feather trims are the exception: give them room so the plumes are not crushed. A gentle steam from a distance revives both the knit and the feathers. Let a jumper rest a day between wears so the fibres can recover, and keep it in a breathable bag through summer to protect it from moths.

Alpaca jumpers around the world

US. In America the word is alpaca sweater. US sizes run two below UK, so a UK 8 is a US 4 and an EU 36. A slouchy alpaca knit suits the long autumn in the Northeast and cool evenings on the West Coast.

UK. In Britain the word is alpaca jumper. Camel and pink both sit well with a grey wool coat through a damp British winter.

EU. Look for pull en alpaga in France and maglione in alpaca in Italy. EU sizes run 28 above UK, so a UK 10 is an EU 38.

GCC. Alpaca is light enough for the cooler months in the Gulf, from desert evenings to air-conditioned interiors. The pink Dovico suits winter weddings and festive dinners.

Curated by the Coveti Studio.

Written by Coveti Editorial. Read our editorial and AI policy.

Frequently asked questions

Is alpaca warmer than wool?

Alpaca is widely known for feeling warm for its weight, so an alpaca jumper can feel as warm as a heavier wool one.

Is alpaca itchy?

Most people find alpaca softer and less scratchy than many wools, which is one reason it is popular next to the skin.

Why is alpaca blended with nylon?

Nylon adds strength and helps the knit hold its shape. Both 16 Arlington Dovico Jumpers blend alpaca with nylon.

Does alpaca shed?

A new alpaca knit can shed a little at first because of its soft halo. This settles with wear.

How do you store an alpaca jumper?

Fold it flat in a drawer instead of hanging it, and keep it in a breathable bag through summer.

What size Dovico Jumper should I take?

It is made in S, M and L in a relaxed, slouchy fit, and the model wears a UK 8. Take your usual size for the intended slouch.