Fleece
A modern synthetic marvel engineered to mimic the warmth and texture of wool, fleece offers unparalleled coziness in a lightweight, highly functional, and active-friendly format.
Origins
Fleece production is a highly automated industrial process. The majority of commercial fleece is manufactured in Asia, particularly in China and Taiwan, where synthetic textile infrastructure is vast. However, premium performance fleece brands (like Polartec) maintain significant research and manufacturing operations in the United States and Europe.
Key Benefits
- ✦Exceptionally warm while remaining incredibly lightweight
- ✦Hydrophobic, meaning it dries quickly and retains warmth when wet
- ✦Vegan and often made from recycled plastic materials
- ✦Very easy to care for and machine washable
Applications
A Brief History
Unlike ancient natural fibers, fleece has a very recent history. It was invented in 1981 by Malden Mills (now Polartec) in collaboration with the outdoor brand Patagonia. They sought to create a fabric that offered the insulation of wool without its heavy weight when wet. The result was "Polarfleece," which revolutionized outdoor gear and quickly crossed over into mainstream casual wear.
Crafting the Cloth
Fleece is entirely synthetic, typically made from polyester. The polyester fibers are knitted together into a fabric, which is then run through a napper—a machine with fine wire brushes that aggressively raise the fibers on the surface. This creates a thick, fuzzy pile that traps heat beautifully. Many modern fleeces are made from recycled PET plastics, such as discarded water bottles, making it an innovative solution in textile recycling.
Modern Fashion Trends
Fleece is the poster child for the "Gorpcore" trend, where highly functional outdoor gear is worn as everyday streetwear. Vintage-inspired, brightly colored, heavily patterned fleece zip-ups are incredibly popular among younger demographics. Additionally, the push for circular fashion has made recycled polyester fleece a standard in sustainable winter collections across all price points.
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Curating Fleece
Our weavers are currently preparing the newest collection of fleece fabrics. Check back soon for fresh inventory.