Alpaca Double Sided Scarf in Light Blue and Light Grey - Fort Belvedere

Once among the princeliest of Classic accessories, scarves are too regularly neglected in modern menswear as buyers turn to boring, dark solid colors or uninteresting patterns, all in cheap materials. Fort Belvedere, however, is eager to revive the grand tradition of colorful and interesting scarves that elevate, and never drag down, your Classic ensembles. Mindful of the fact that scarves are also meant to keep you warm, our scarves are made from only the finest materials and each is perfectly sized to fully insulate your body while allowing for many stylish and visually interesting scarf knots.

Although blessed with a soft feel and natural insulating abilities, alpaca yarn is sadly underutilized in modern menswear. Found mostly in southern Peru at elevations around 12,000 feet above sea level, alpacas, or lama pacos, are South American camelids that know how to stay warm when it’s cold, thanks to their incredible natural insulating abilities.

Alpaca fibers have internal microscopic air pockets that naturally trap heat, vastly augmenting their ability to insulate and keep warm. Alpaca fibers also have a silky, extremely soft feel, somewhat similar to cashmere, but with considerably more durability. Alpaca fibers are also elastic, making them less prone to over-stretching, and are lanolin-free and hypoallergenic, making them perfect for people with wool or cashmere allergies.

The length and width of a scarf massively impact not only its look but also how well it functions as an insulator. Most men’s scarves on the market today are 150 cm x 30 cm, or 60” x 12.” This sizing was selected only to save money on costly resources, and as such, it is too short to provide sufficient warmth or protection from the elements.

We extensively researched and tested various scarf lengths to find the perfect dimensions. We found that traditional Scottish scarves were 180 cm x 35 cm, or 72” x 14,” and while the length was ideal, the width felt too stuffy and constricting. Therefore, we settled on the perfect format of 180 cm x 30 cm, or 72” x 12” for all of our scarves: these dimensions provided the perfect union of warmth, coverage, convenience, and styling potential.

Royal Baby Alpaca Fibers. As with most natural fibers, alpaca fibers are graded based on their thickness, with baby & royal baby alpacas representing the finest examples. Fine fiber is usually indicated by its softness, and while alpaca fibers are thicker than the best quality cashmere fibers, the surface of the alpaca fiber is naturally smoother, offering a comparable overall feel. As such, alpaca fibers are almost as soft as cashmere and with better insulating abilities. At Fort Belvedere, we source only the finest alpaca fibers from the best producers in Peru, insisting upon a thickness of between 19 and 22 microns.

 The Cream of the Alpaca Crop. Alpaca fibers naturally come in 24 different colors, but white is considered the literal cream of the crop because it is the easiest to dye, and, in general, it tends to be softer. Because of our insistence upon the superior quality and out of a desire to offer our scarves in a variety of vibrant colors, only white alpaca hairs would do for Fort Belvedere.

Direct from Peru. As the historical center of the alpaca industry, Peru continues to offer the finest examples of alpaca fibers, and Fort Belvedere is proud to partner with heritage Peruvian harvesters to bring you the very best alpaca fibers in the world.

Treated for Extra Softness. To impart an even softer texture reminiscent of flannel, all Fort Belvedere alpaca scarves undergo a special treatment that improves the feel without negatively impacting the alpaca fibers’ natural benefits. As part of our insistence upon quality, every Fort Belvedere scarf is double-checked by skilled inspectors to ensure they are worthy of the Fort Belvedere label.

Reversible Styling Potential. This scarf is double-sided and features color combinations specifically chosen to harmonize well with the widest possible variety of overcoats, almost regardless of pattern or color. The scarf can be worn with either side oriented outwards, for a refined, monochromatic look, or, literally, with a twist, to display both colors simultaneously for a bolder effect.