The Van der Straete label comes from French designer Thibault Van der Straete, based in Peru. The label specializes in Alpaca and Peruvian manufacturing, acting as a showcase for the excellent quality materials and knitting abundant in Peru. Alpaca is a very soft, lightweight and highly insulating natural fiber. It does not have the kind of rough or itchy texture that wool can sometimes have, yet is similarly highly breathable and arguably more resilient. Probably the most difficult issue with alpaca fabric is getting it, where it tends to be concentrated in the Peruvian climate. That’s where specialist labels like Van der Straete come in.
This sweater comes in a 70% alpaca, 30% wool blend in a medium gauge. There is a really excellent texture to the weave and it is insulating as you would expect. I am not sure if this is a hand-knit item but it does look that way. Still, it is a timeless design in a somewhat relaxed silhouette. It is easy to wear, will match pretty much everything and will keep you warm.
Van der Straete is one of those smaller-scale manufacturers that does not have a huge amount of international distribution. Aside from their limited direct sales online, they tend to be stocked mainly by Japanese shops such as 1LDK, United Arrows and Beams. Retail is never cheap if you can track it down, but get it here much more reasonably.
Size is labeled a medium and fits a bit relaxed. I measure the chest at 21” / 53cm, shoulders at 20” / 50cm, length at 26” / 66cm and sleeves at 23” / 58cm from the shoulder. The sweater comes in lightly used, good shape. There is a bit of piling on the arms but otherwise no holes, tears or stains. Made in Peru.
Shipping from Japan to anywhere will be $26.
