What Is Mohair — And Is It Really That Itchy?

By Tellar Fashion Hub | Style Advice | Fabric Guides

Mohair is one of the most beautiful fibres in fashion — silky, lustrous, warm, and with that gorgeous fluffy halo that makes a jumper look like something straight off a Paris runway. And yes, it can be itchy. But here's the thing — it doesn't have to be. Understanding what mohair actually is, why itchiness happens, and how to fix it completely changed how I shop for knitwear. Once I knew what to look for, I stopped avoiding it and started loving it.

So, What Actually Is Mohair?

Mohair comes from the Angora goat — not to be confused with Angora wool, which comes from Angora rabbits (a common mix-up, I'll admit I got it wrong early in my career). The name "mohair" is thought to derive from the Arabic word mukhayyar, meaning "select" or "choice" cloth, which tells you everything about how prized this fibre has been for centuries.

The Angora goat originates from Turkey, though today South Africa and Lesotho produce the vast majority of the world's mohair. The goats are shorn twice a year, and the very finest fleece comes from kids — young goats — in their first and second shearing. This is called kid mohair, and it is genuinely some of the softest natural fibre you'll ever touch.

Key qualities of mohair include:

Lustre — it has a natural sheen that wool simply doesn't have, which is why mohair knitwear photographs so beautifully
Warmth — it's an incredibly efficient insulator, lighter than wool but just as warm
Durability — mohair is one of the strongest natural fibres, and quality mohair pieces genuinely last for years
That halo — the delicate fluffy fringe that catches the light is entirely natural, not a result of processing
Moisture-wicking — it draws moisture away from the skin, which means it's more comfortable to wear than many people expect

Why Can Mohair Feel Itchy?

Right, let's get into it. The itchiness question is one I get asked constantly, and the honest answer is: it depends enormously on the quality of the mohair, the grade of the fibre, and how the garment has been made.

Itchiness in knitwear comes down to fibre diameter, measured in microns. The finer the fibre (fewer microns), the softer it feels against skin. Coarse fibres — anything above around 30 microns — have stiff, prickly ends that physically irritate nerve endings in your skin. Adult mohair fibres, particularly from older goats, can absolutely fall into this category.

The main culprits for scratchy mohair are:

Adult mohair vs. kid mohair — fibres from older goats are coarser. Always check labels for "kid mohair" if sensitivity is a concern
Low-grade or blended fibres — cheaper garments often blend mohair with low-quality wool or synthetic fibres that add to the scratchiness
Insufficient finishing — quality brands process mohair carefully; fast-fashion versions skip steps that soften the yarn
Direct skin contact — mohair worn against bare skin, particularly on the torso or neck, is always more likely to feel irritating than when layered

How to Make Mohair Non-Itchy — My Practical Tips

I have sensitive skin, and I've genuinely lost count of how many times I've fallen in love with a gorgeous fluffy jumper only to be driven mad by lunchtime. Over the years I've tested pretty much every trick going, and these are the ones that actually work.

Always look for kid mohair — it's dramatically softer than standard mohair. The label should say it. If it doesn't specify, assume it isn't
Layer underneath — a thin long-sleeved base layer in silk, modal, or fine cotton between skin and mohair fixes the problem almost entirely. My go-to is a silk cami from The White Company under a fluffy knit — it looks intentional and solves the itch
Soak the garment in hair conditioner — yes, really. Fill a basin with cold water, add a generous squeeze of standard hair conditioner, submerge the mohair for 20–30 minutes, rinse gently, and dry flat. The conditioner coats the fibres and softens them noticeably. I've saved more than a few scratchy jumpers this way
Freeze it — another one that sounds mad but works. Place the garment in a sealed bag and pop it in the freezer overnight. It relaxes the fibres and genuinely reduces scratchiness
White wine vinegar rinse — add a splash to your final rinse water when hand-washing. It softens fibres and leaves no smell once dry
Buy quality and buy once — the cheaper the mohair, the more likely it is to itch. Spending more on a properly finished kid mohair piece will always pay off over a scratchy high street version

Where to Shop for Mohair — From High Street to Luxury

Finding a good mohair piece used to feel like a lottery. Now I know what to look for, here's where I genuinely shop and recommend.

High Street Picks

Cos — consistently one of the best high street brands for quality knitwear. Their mohair and mohair-blend pieces are well-finished and beautifully cut
Mango — a strong offering in the fluffy knit category, particularly in autumn/winter. Look for their mohair-blend cardigans; they photograph beautifully and hold up well
Massimo Dutti — part of the Inditex group alongside Zara but aimed at a more grown-up market. Their knitwear is a genuine step up in quality, and mohair pieces here are usually softer than their price point suggests
Jigsaw — a reliable British brand for knitwear that uses better-grade fibres than most at the mid-market price point. Their mohair blends feel noticeably finer
Whistles — stylish, well-edited, and their knits lean grown-up in the best possible way. A Whistles mohair piece is a solid investment
Me&Em — one of the most underrated British brands for knitwear. Their mohair and alpaca blends are consistently soft and the sizing is reliable
Anthropologie — particularly good for unique, textural knits with a more artisanal feel. Their mohair pieces often come in unusual colours and work beautifully styled loosely over wide-leg trousers

Premium Picks

Reiss — their premium knitwear line is genuinely lovely, and they use better-grade fibres. A Reiss mohair jumper is a piece you'll wear for years
Hush — softer, more relaxed in style, and their knit quality is consistently above expectations. A brand I recommend regularly to clients who want comfort and style in equal measure

Luxury/Designer

Loewe — their mohair pieces are genuinely some of the most beautiful knitwear you'll find anywhere. Expensive, yes, but the kid mohair quality is exceptional
Róisín Pierce — an Irish independent designer making extraordinary woven and knitted pieces with mohair. A true left-field find for anyone who wants something completely unique
Gabriela Hearst — uses sustainably sourced fibres and the quality is impeccable. A cashmere-mohair blend from Hearst is the kind of piece you keep forever

Independent Brands Worth Knowing

Carrier Company — a wonderful British independent with heritage knitwear credentials. Their mohair pieces are beautifully made and genuinely cosy without the scratch
Story Mfg. — a sustainable British brand doing remarkable things with natural fibres and low-impact dyeing. Their textured knits, some with mohair content, are one-of-a-kind pieces

🧶 Never Guess Your Size in a Mohair Knit Again — Use Tellar

Here's something I wish I'd had years ago: Tellar.co.uk — the UK's leading free sizing tool that matches your measurements to 1,500+ brands instantly. No more guessing whether to size up in a knit, no more returns.

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And once you've found your perfect fit? Head to the Tellar Fashion Hub — a free library of unbiased, stylist-written guides on everything from fabric care to seasonal trends. Always honest. Always independent. Start here →

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