An alpaca shawl is a long, warm piece of cloth worn as a scarf, as a cape over the shoulders or as a light blanket. Alpaca's shawls measure 180 × 60 cm and come in a solid color or double-sided (two colors, one on each side), so you change your look without changing your garment. They cost from US$22.50 and are 70% alpaca and 30% acrylic. This article is written by Alpaca, the store that sells them, and that is why we also tell you when something else suits you better.
Real measurements: 180 × 60 cm
180 cm long is almost the height of a tall person. It is enough to wrap twice around your neck with ends to spare, or to cover your shoulders completely. It is 60 cm wide: enough to cover your back, but not so much that it looks like a blanket.
If you are looking for something bigger to cover your legs in bed or on the sofa, look at the blankets (2.30 × 1.55 m) instead. And if you want a garment that covers your arms without slipping off, a poncho is more practical: a shawl slides off if you move a lot.
Solid or double-sided: which to choose
| Solid color | Double-sided | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Same color on both sides. There are about 19 colors. | Reversible: a different color on each side. |
| When it suits you | If you want a color that goes with almost everything, or one that stands out. | If you want two options in a single garment, or you cannot choose between two colors. |
| Examples | Natural Camel, Absolute Black | Mist, Cacao |
| Price | From US$22.50 (prices change; check the current one in the store). | |
Plainly: the double-sided is not "better," it is more versatile. If you already know you will always wear a single color, save yourself the doubt and choose a solid one.
5 ways to wear a shawl
- As a long scarf. One turn around the neck with both ends hanging in front. It is the quickest and the one most used for going out.
- Double wrap. With 180 cm you wrap twice around your neck and stay well covered. Useful on Quito's cold mornings.
- Over the shoulders. You open it and rest it on your back, with the ends in front. It works for a dinner, an air-conditioned office or an event.
- Crossed and knotted. You bring the ends to the front, cross them and take them behind to knot them. That way it stays firm and does not move when you walk.
- As a light blanket. On a bus, a plane or in a cold room, you spread it over your legs. With the double-sided one, you choose which color shows.
Tip for number 5: if the shawl is double-sided, the color you want to show is the one facing up. It seems obvious, until you forget it in a restaurant.
How to choose a color as a gift
- You do not know what they like: a neutral color (camel, black, gray) goes with almost any clothing.
- You want to get it right without knowing their colors: the double-sided lowers the risk, because the person chooses which side to wear.
- The person already has a strong style: notice the colors they wear most and choose one from that range or one that contrasts.
- It is a gift for someone who travels: a shawl takes up little space in a suitcase. If the trip is to a cold place, a poncho is warmer.
Every order goes in a gift box and, if it is a gift, with no prices inside. More ideas in the gift collection and in our Christmas gift guide.
What you can expect from the fiber (honestly)
Our shawls are 70% alpaca and 30% acrylic. They are not unblended alpaca: if that is what you are looking for, we are not your option, and we explain it in pure alpaca vs acrylic blend. What we do tell you: they are made in Ecuador, with artisan families in Peguche. You can get to know the place in Peguche, the weaving village.
A customer wrote to us on WhatsApp: "The shawl is spectacular and thank you very much for the service!!" Another, about a garment from the same store: "It is beautiful and really warm."
How to care for it
Wash it rarely and by hand, with cold water and mild detergent. Do not rub or wring it. Dry it in the shade, laid flat on a towel. No dryer or hot water. Take care of the fringes when storing it. The full guide is in how to wash and care for your poncho, which works just as well for the shawl.
When it arrives and how to buy
What you order one day ships the next day and arrives a day later. Shipping across Ecuador by Servientrega: US$5.50 (US$4.99 in Quito and the valleys). In Quito, Alpaca Flash costs US$8.50 and arrives the same day if you order by 9 p.m. There is no dispatch on Sundays and holidays. If you are not convinced, you have 30 days to exchange or return it, with the item unused: see the exchange policy. Shipping details are in the shipping policy.
Frequently asked questions
How big is an Alpaca alpaca shawl?
180 × 60 cm, both the solid-color and the double-sided ones.
What is the difference between a solid shawl and a double-sided one?
The solid one has the same tone on both sides. The double-sided one is reversible: a different color on each side, and you decide which to show.
How do I wash an alpaca shawl?
By hand, with cold water and mild detergent, without rubbing or wringing. Dry it flat in the shade, on a towel. Never in a dryer.
Is a shawl good for Quito's cold?
Yes, as an extra layer over the shoulders or around the neck. For strong cold or rain, a poncho and an umbrella are better, because neither the shawl nor the poncho is waterproof. More in what to wear in Quito's cold.
Can I order a shawl on WhatsApp?
Yes, at 098 7878 444. You can also pay by card, bank transfer or Deuna in the store.