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Camel hair is a type of cloth made from pure camel hair or a blend of camel hair and another fiber. The outer protective fur (guard hair) is coarse and inflexible and can be woven into haircloth. Guard hair can be made soft and plush by blending it, especially with wool. The camel's pure undercoat is very soft, gathered when camels molt, and is frequently used for coats.
The wearing of camel hair clothing is mentioned in the Bible (Matthew 3:4) and it was traditionally used for tents, carpets and cloaks by the Berbers and in other areas
where camels were kept. Its high thermostatic properties provide insulation and it also provides protection from heat.
Pure camel hair is recorded as being used for western garments from the 17th century onwards, and from the 19th century a mixture of wool and camel hair was used.
The first fashion brand to popularise camel hair in clothing was Jaeger, a British manufacturer that specialised in the use of fine woollen fabrics for coats and suits. It became popular in the U.S. in the 1920s and '30s, having been introduced through the sport of polo, where a casual camel hair coat was worn by players in between matches.
Camel hair may be blended to create fabrics suitable for coats, sweaters outer and underwear. The long coarser hair may be used as a backing for carpets.
Although most camel hair is left as its natural tone of golden tan, the hair can be dyed and accepts dye in the same way as wool fibres.