5 Highest Quality Fabrics in the World

2. Vicuña Wool 

Insider Monkey Score: 9

Vicuña fibers, also known as “Golden Fleece”, are valued at approximately $600 per kilogram. The vicuña, a small, untamed camelid from South America, produces an exquisite and unique material – the vicuna wool. Since ancient times, this fabric has been used to create luxurious textiles and apparel because of its great value, softness, warmth, and durability.

The limited amount of fiber produced by vicuña, an Alpaca and llama cousin, is the root cause of the high prices. A mature vicuña yields about 500 grams of fiber in two years, but it takes at least 25 animals to create an overcoat. Additionally, is it snugly fitted, cozy, and antimicrobial. 

Vicuña yarn maintains an excellent quality as it is not subjected to chemical treatment despite its minimal quantity – this specific wool can only be obtained by shearing the wild vicunas only once every three years. Additionally, its extremely small and thin nature poses challenges in spinning, further enhancing its exclusivity. These factors collectively contribute to the rarity of vicuña wool, making it one of the most expensive fabrics in the world – an ordinary vicuña fabric jacket can command a price tag exceeding $21,000!