Women's Rico Vest - 100% Baby Alpaca (S-L)

*New! Everyone's favourite Rico Vest, now in adult sizes! Made ethically in Peru by My Alpaca Copenhagen exclusively for UMIFORM Knitwear.

Gorgeous women's vest knitted in natural baby alpaca. This is an essential winter layer based on a timeless vintage nordic design. A body warmer like this works beautifully over thermals to keep the chest and belly warm. Makes a brilliant Spring to Autumn vest for unpredictable weather.

Baby alpaca fibres are super soft and lightweight. It is known for providing super insulation due to the microscopic air pockets in the fibres, therefore it keeps you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The same air pockets make the fibres feel as light as air and yet the fibre is very strong, meaning it lasts longer than most other similar fibres like wools, cashmere and silk. With care, alpaca knits become heirloom pieces that you will pass down through the generations. 

Sizes: S/M, M/L

Colours: Pistachio*, Aubergine*, Light Brown** (*low impact dyes, **undyed)

Brand Collaboration:UMIFORM Knitwear x my alpaca Copenhagen 
Origin of fibre: Peru
Country of manufacture: Peru
Certifications: PERU Fairtrade certified, Oeko Tex certified 100 (organic certification N/A: the pristine highlands on which alpaca naturally graze cannot be assessed for certification as they are non-agricultural) 
Fabric structure: 100% organic baby alpaca 
Dyes: Ökotex Standard 100: without optical brighteners, not chemically finished
100% Biodegradable: Yes
Machine Washable: No (see our guide to washing wool)

Care: wash only when required. Handwash in cool water with gentle wool shampoo, press moisture out in a towel, reshape and dry flat. 

Measurements (in cm) taken from garment laid flat unstretched (the rib is very stretchy): 

my alpaca Copenhagen garments are handmade by skilled and organised groups of Peruvian women, following strict quality standards. They train and work with groups of women, promoting better livelihoods for them and their families. They use only fair-trade practices.

Their Peruvian baby alpaca fibre comes from animals that graze the Andes naturally as they have done for many generations and are managed by small holders at altitudes of 3000-5000m. At those heights food cannot be grown so alpaca farming provides an income to families. Since the area is not cultivated or chemically fertilised or the animal's diet supplemented with feed, they graze on organic mountains although Organic Certification is not possible in those conditions. The animals are sheared by hand once a year.