All You Need To Know About Mohair!

The 2020s is the decade of the luxury natural fibre, and there are few textiles which combine durability, a shimmering lustre and a remarkable breathability the way that mohair does.

Beloved amongst custom tailors and the fashion-conscious alike, mohair has endured as a primary clothing textile even compared to similarly luxurious materials such as angora, silk and cashmere, in no small part because it combines a sophisticated look with endless practicality.

Here is everything you need to know about mohair and why it has remained so popular for so long.

It Is One Of The World’s Oldest Textiles

For many people, a tailored suit is about respecting tradition, and few materials have a tradition that stretches further back than mohair.

It is one of the oldest  textile fibres in the world, having originated with the shearing and spinning of Angora goat fibres in Turkey for thousands of years before being transported through a myriad of trade routes to England by 1820.

From there Yorkshire became the centre of mohair yarn production whilst the Turkish capital of Ankara remained the biggest producer of mohair wool until Angora goats were successfully exported to South Africa, the United States, Australia and New Zealand.

It Should Not Be Confused With Angora Wool

Mohair is sometimes erroneously called ‘angora’ because it comes from the Angora goat. In reality,angora wool is wool from the Angora rabbit, which has a different texture most commonly used for knitwear.

It Is Typically Used As A Two-Tone Fabric

Since the 1960s, the vast majority of mohair tailoring has been blended with wool to create a smooth, practical, crease-resistant fabric that breathes particularly well. 

Most mohair suits will range from containing ten per cent mohair to as high as 50 per cent. Anything higher than that and the material can sometimes feel coarser and rougher than one might expect. It can also be mixed with cashmere or even silk to magnify that soft finish.

Many people have a preference for different mohair mixes, so contact us for more detailed information, or you can order a sample from our website.

It Was The Favoured Material For Britain’s Favourite Spy

Since Dr No, the first James Bond film, mohair suits have been a common part of Agent 007’s wardrobe, in no small part due to their style, robustness and how friendly it is to filming requirements.

It is warm enough to wear in winter, yet light and breathable enough to perfectly suit the often-tropical climates in which James Bond operates and the actors who play him often film in, largely because it was easier for costume departments and more comfortable for any wearers.

It Cannot Help But Stand Out 

Mohair is famous for its incredible sheen, which is one of the reasons why it was such a popular material for suits in films such as Thunderball and other classics like Get Carter.

This shimmering effect led to mohair’s revival as the suit fabric of choice for the mods movement, particularly in vibrant two-tone colour schemes.

However, it is perhaps best used to elevate a more subtle, traditional shade such as dark grey, navy or black.