What Is Angora? Properties & Looks

What is angora? Angora is the fine, fluffy hair of the Angora rabbit, spun into light, soft knitwear. Mohair is something different: it comes from the Angora goat.

The material label of a sweater says “angora”, and you wonder what is behind it, whether the fibre has special qualities and how to wear such pieces? Here you can read what angora is, how it differs from mohair, why it is usually blended with other fibres, what is debated about animal keeping and how to style angora sweaters, cardigans and hats.

What is angora? Origin and properties

Angora is the hair of the Angora rabbit, a long-haired rabbit breed. The name goes back to Ankara, which used to be called Angora. According to reports, most of the angora fibre traded worldwide comes from China.

These properties are generally attributed to angora:

Very fine. The hairs are thinner than most wool fibres. That is why angora feels very soft.
Light. According to widely cited information, the fibre has an air-filled core. Angora is therefore considered a particularly light fibre that still keeps you warm.
Fluffy. A fine fuzz stands away from the surface, the so-called halo. It gives angora knitwear its soft, slightly blurred look.
Not very elastic. Angora hardly stretches by nature and does not spring back like sheep’s wool. That is why it is almost always blended with other fibres.

Angora or mohair: the difference

Both fibres are fluffy, but they come from different animals. The name is often confusing: the Angora rabbit gives angora, the Angora goat gives mohair.

Angora. Rabbit hair, very fine and light, with a soft, short fuzz.
Mohair. Goat hair, longer and silky, with a long, feathery fuzz. You can read more in the article What is mohair?
Alpaca. Hair of the alpaca from South America, soft and smooth. You can read more in the article What is alpaca?

On the label the fibres are easy to tell apart: “angora” stands for rabbit hair and “mohair” for goat hair. You can find more about fabrics and material labels in the fabric glossary for women’s fashion.

Why is angora usually blended?

Pure angora is rare in clothing. Because the fibre is hardly elastic, it is usually blended with wool, polyamide or other fibres. This gives the yarn more hold and more stretch. How much angora is in a piece is shown as a percentage in the material label.

Angora is often made into sweaters, cardigans, hats and gloves.

How do you recognise angora in a sweater?

Only the material label tells you whether angora is included. If it says “angora”, the rabbit hair is in the yarn. The impression alone is not enough, because many other fibres also make soft, fluffy knitwear. A soft sweater does not have to be made of angora.

Angora and animal keeping: what is debated

Angora is discussed critically. The hair is harvested several times a year by plucking or shearing. Animal welfare organisations have published reports criticising how the animals are kept and the plucking. Several fashion companies have taken angora out of their range since then.

If you would rather do without angora, check the material label. Fluffy knitwear is also made from other fibres, for example wool, mohair, alpaca or blended yarns. The decision is yours.

How to style an angora sweater

A soft sweater with fuzz brings a lot of surface. So the rule is: the sweater is the main piece, the rest stays calm.

Smooth below. Straight jeans, trousers or a smooth skirt leave the sweater centre stage. You can find more about knitwear and layering in the guide How to style knitwear.
Keep soft colours calm. Pink, cream or light grey go well with white, beige or denim. A simple shoe goes with that.
Skip the necklace or keep it thin. The fuzz draws attention, so fine jewellery works better than chunky pieces.
A blouse underneath. The collar peeks out at the neckline and gives the soft knit a clear edge.

If the sweater has a bold pattern, the guide How to style a statement sweater helps.

How to style a cardigan and a hat with angora

You wear a cardigan with angora open over a plain top or a blouse, or closed instead of a sweater. Because the knit brings volume, the piece underneath stays smooth. A hat in soft knit goes with a simple coat and brings the soft surface into the outfit. You can find more about cardigans over dresses in the guide Dress with cardigan.

Three looks with soft knitwear

The shop pieces in the pictures are examples of cut and colour, not of angora. Which fibres a piece contains is shown in the material label on the product page. With an angora piece the combinations stay the same.

Pink sweater with light jeans. A pink sweater with visible knit texture, straight light jeans and white sneakers. The sweater brings colour, the rest stays light and calm.

Striped cardigan with jeans. A cardigan in beige and white with wide horizontal stripes, open over a white top, with light jeans. The stripes are the only pattern in the outfit.

Zip cardigan with jeans. A cardigan in burgundy with a stand collar and zip, with straight jeans and ankle boots. The zip lets you wear the jacket open or closed.

Also in the shop: knit sweaters and cardigans and knit jackets.

Frequently asked questions

What kind of fabric is angora?

Angora is not a fabric but a fibre: the hair of the Angora rabbit. It is spun into yarn that is mostly made into knitwear.

Is angora the same as mohair?

No. Angora comes from the Angora rabbit, mohair from the Angora goat. Both fibres are soft, but they differ in animal, length and shine.

Is angora wool?

In everyday speech angora is often counted as wool. On the label it is listed separately from virgin wool, because it comes from the rabbit and not from the sheep.