What Is Mohair? Properties, Look and How to Wear It

What is mohair? Mohair is the long, silky hair of the Angora goat, mostly spun into fluffy knitwear. Mohair is not the same as angora: angora comes from the rabbit.

The material label of a sweater or cardigan says “mohair”, and you wonder what the fibre can do and what it looks like? Here you can read what mohair is, how to recognise mohair knitwear, how mohair differs from angora, alpaca and wool, and how to style mohair sweaters and mohair cardigans.

What is mohair? Origin and properties

Mohair comes from the Angora goat, also called the mohair goat. The animals are shorn and the hair is spun into yarn. South Africa is considered the most important source country. Other producing countries include Turkey, Lesotho, Argentina, Australia and the USA.

These properties are generally attributed to mohair:

• Long and smooth. The scales on the hair are less pronounced than on sheep’s wool. That is why mohair feels smoother and has a silky shine.
• Light and warm. Mohair is considered a light fibre that still keeps you warm.
• Fluffy. Many mohair yarns are brushed. A soft fuzz then stands away from the surface, the so-called halo that mohair knitwear is known for.
• Rich colours. Mohair is considered easy to dye. That is why mohair knitwear often comes in strong shades.

What does kid mohair mean?

Mohair is graded by fineness. “Kid mohair” means especially fine mohair, usually from young goats. The term is not a fixed standard. It is used mostly for clothing. Coarser hair from adult animals is more likely to end up in rugs, upholstery and blankets.

Pure mohair is rare. The fibre is usually blended with wool, polyamide, acrylic or other fibres, which gives the yarn more hold. How much mohair a piece contains is shown as a percentage in the material label.

How do you recognise mohair knitwear?

You recognise mohair knitwear by its feathery, soft surface. Single long hairs stand away from the knit, the stitches blur slightly and colours look softer. A mohair sweater is often loosely knitted and is worn as a top or as a layer over a blouse.

Do not rely on the impression alone, because fluffy knitwear can also be made from other fibres. Only the material label tells you whether mohair is in it. If it says “mohair”, the fibre is in the yarn. You can find more about fabrics and material labels in the fabric glossary for women’s fashion.

Mohair, angora, alpaca and wool: what is the difference?

All four fibres are animal hair. The name Angora is often misleading: the Angora goat gives mohair, the Angora rabbit gives angora.

• Mohair. Hair of the Angora goat, long, silky and fluffy when the yarn is brushed.
• Angora. Hair of the Angora rabbit, very fine and light. Read more in the article What is angora?
• Alpaca. Hair of the alpaca from South America, soft and smooth. Read more in the article What is alpaca?
• Sheep’s wool. Hair of the sheep, naturally crimped and therefore elastic. On labels it usually appears as “wool” or “virgin wool”.

How to style a mohair sweater

Mohair brings a lot of surface texture. So the rule is: one texture is enough, the rest stays smooth.

• Smooth below. Straight jeans, tailored trousers or a smooth skirt let the sweater take centre stage. More about knitwear and layering is in the guide How to style knitwear.
• Simple underneath. A plain top or a blouse with a collar peeks out at the neckline or hem. Patterns underneath quickly make the look busy.
• Colour with calm. A strong-coloured mohair sweater is the one focus. White, cream, black or denim go with it. With pastels, grey, beige and white work well.
• Simple shoes. Ankle boots, boots or smooth sneakers let the knit stand out.

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

How to style a mohair cardigan

You wear a cardigan with mohair open over a top, a blouse or a dress. Because the knit adds volume, the piece underneath stays plain and smooth. Over a simple dress the cardigan becomes the main piece of the outfit. Which colours and lengths work is covered in the guide Dress with a cardigan.

Short cardigans end at the waist and suit skirts and high-waisted trousers. Longer cardigans fall over the hips and need a calm line underneath, for example a plain top and straight trousers.

Three outfits with mohair knitwear

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

Cardigan over a dress. A light chunky-knit cardigan worn open over a simple dress in dark blue or black, with ankle boots. The cardigan brings texture, the dress stays smooth.

Soft sweater with jeans. A fine-knit sweater in brown, straight light jeans and boots. Brown and denim make a calm pair, and the sweater stays the only knit piece.

Cardigan with blouse and tailored trousers. An oversized cardigan in camel worn open over a white blouse, with black tailored trousers. The blouse keeps the outfit clean, camel adds warmth.

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

Frequently asked questions

What kind of fabric is mohair?

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

Is mohair the same as angora?

No. Mohair comes from the Angora goat, angora from the Angora rabbit. Both fibres are soft but differ in origin and fineness.

Is mohair wool?

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

What does kid mohair mean?

Kid mohair means especially fine mohair, usually from young goats. The term is not a fixed standard. It is mostly used for clothing.

How do I style a mohair sweater?

With smooth pieces such as straight jeans, tailored trousers or a smooth skirt. The fluffy surface is texture enough, so the rest of the outfit stays simple.