Camel hair
A fibre nature offers of its own accord
There is a fundamental difference between materials that are taken and those that are given. Camel hair belongs to the second. Each spring, the Bactrian camel — native to the steppes of Mongolia and Central Asia — naturally sheds its winter coat. The finest fibres, from the undercoat, are collected by hand during that process without any intervention on the animal. No shearing, no harm. Only the generosity of a natural cycle that has been repeating itself for centuries.
Each camel yields no more than 2 to 3 kilograms of raw fibre per year, of which only a fraction — the finest undercoat — is suitable for high-end tailoring. A quantity that explains both its rarity and its value.
What camel hair is
Camel hair is a natural fibre obtained from the Bactrian camel, the two-humped species native to the steppes and deserts of Central Asia. The animal produces two types of hair: a coarse, resistant outer coat, and an inner coat — the undercoat — formed by fine, hollow, extraordinarily soft fibres that protect it from extreme temperatures ranging from 40°C in summer to -30°C in winter.
It is this undercoat that high-end tailoring has prized for centuries. With a fibre diameter between 17 and 22 microns — close to that of fine cashmere — the Bactrian camel undercoat offers a combination few fibres in the world can match: exceptional thermal insulation, silken softness, natural lightness, and a golden tone that requires no dye.
Properties and characteristics
Camel hair is one of the most complete fibres in nature. Its hollow structure gives it exceptional thermal capacity — it insulates from cold in winter and regulates temperature during transitional months, adapting to the body with a precision no synthetic material can replicate.
Handle and drape. Silken, warm and deeply comfortable. The drape is fluid and natural, with a weight that gives presence to the garment without feeling oppressive.
Active thermal regulation. The hollow structure of the fibre traps air and regulates body temperature in both directions — warming in cold, dissipating in moderate heat.
Hypoallergenic. Suitable for sensitive skin. It retains natural lanolin, which has antibacterial properties and protects the fibre from dust and mites.
Strength and durability. Contrary to what its softness might suggest, camel hair is notably resistant to abrasion and wear. It is one of the most durable fibres among the noble ones.
Natural colour. Ranges from warm beige to golden tan. A palette that needs no intervention because it is already perfect — in high-end tailoring the fibre is rarely dyed, because its own tone is precisely its value.
With wear and time, the fibres soften and the garment improves — a quality exclusive to noble fibres of animal origin.
The history of the camel hair coat
Camel hair reached the West along the caravans of the Silk Road, where it was already valued as a superior material for warmth. Its entry into modern European tailoring came at the hand of the British house Jaeger, which in the late nineteenth century pioneered its use for high-end coats and suits.
But it was in the 1920s, through American polo, that the camel hair coat became an icon. Polo players wore it between matches as an informal piece — long, enveloping, in its natural colour — and the public and fashion world soon adopted it. Thus was born the polo coat: the timeless camel hair coat, belted and double-breasted, which remains one of the defining silhouettes of twentieth-century tailoring.
A century later, camel hair remains one of the most prized fibres among the leading Italian maisons. Not by trend, but because few fibres combine so many qualities at once.
Camel hair at Murmells
The camel hair fabrics used by Murmells come from the historic mills of the Italian Piedmont — the same Biella region where the world's finest cashmeres and wools are woven. Specifically, we work with Tollegno, one of the historic mills of the region, founded at the beginning of the twentieth century and a reference in the treatment of noble fibres.
The fabric we use is 100% pure camel hair, with a weight of 520 g/m² — the ideal weight for structured coats that seek body, drape and genuine thermal insulation without sacrificing lightness. The selection of the raw material, the spinning process and the finishing of the fabric follow artisanal methods that ensure each metre of cloth retains the natural properties of the fibre in full.
The result is a fabric with a character of its own: dense yet light, structured yet alive, with that unmistakable presence found only in garments that deserve to last.
Care for camel hair garments
Cleaning
Camel hair coats require dry cleaning. The fibre has natural self-cleaning and antibacterial properties — thanks to the natural lanolin it retains after processing — that reduce the need for frequent washing. Between wears, air the garment in a ventilated space for a few hours. It is enough to keep it fresh.
Storage
Always store your coat folded, never hung — hangers distort the shoulder over time. If you need to hang it, use a wide, padded hanger. For seasonal storage, make sure it is clean and dry, and keep it in a breathable fabric bag. Add a cedar or lavender sachet to protect the natural fibres from moths.
Daily care
Avoid prolonged contact with rough surfaces or accessories with zips that may rub against the fabric. If pilling appears, remove it with a soft brush designed for noble fibres — it is a natural process and not an indication of poor quality.
Discover our camel hair coats
