Developed in the 1970s and introduced to the sportswear world in 1981 by textile company Malden Mills (now Polartec) and Patagonia, fleece – typically made from polyester – remains a popular performance fabric today thanks to its softness, lightness, durability and insulating properties.
Jackets, vests and tops made of polar, sweater or shearling fleece are layering favourites for everyone from Shane Hollander in Heated Rivalry to model Kendall Jenner.
“That’s the great thing about fleece,” says Peter Cullen, vice-president of apparel at Sporting Life. “You can use it as a mid-layer between a base layer and a great shell if you’re doing outdoor activities, but also you can use it for everyday life.” He sees parents wearing fleece jackets to school pickup, but also professionals wearing their Patagonia Better Sweaters over shirts and ties for the office.
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To find the right style for you, Cullen suggests focusing on the end use: Are you looking to make a fashion statement or looking for a performance garment that will keep you warm and comfortable on the slopes? It may not make sense to pay more for a technical product if you’re just looking for a cozy work-from-home mid-layer.
Like many popular clothing items, fleeces are available at a variety of price points. Jean-Olivier Pellerin, design director at outdoor clothing brand Hooké, says that the best way to determine quality is to touch and feel the fabric, if possible – or at least zoom in to look closely at it if you’re shopping online.
Does the material feel durable and look tightly woven and not flimsy? Particularly for technical styles, is the fabric or garment made by a brand with a good reputation that is performance-testing its products? The price could be another indicator of quality, but not always, “because you have high-fashion brands making pile fleece [garments] that are really not high quality,” says Pellerin.
These days, many brands are working with recycled polyester for their fleeces, and some are introducing wool-blend options (Anián in B.C. should be restocking its wool-and-nylon ones in the coming months).
Finally, if you already have a classic, neutral-coloured fleece, consider going for one in a bright colour or with a fun pattern. “We’re seeing a lot of people taking risks with fleece and using it as standout pieces to pop their outfits on the hill or après ski,” says Cullen. “They’re wearing these really pop, really funky fleece colour blends and prints.”
Six buys to try
In the men’s section
Patagonia Better Sweater fleece jacket
Available in multiple colours as well as in women’s sizing, this iconic jacket is popular for both the office and the backcountry. Made with recycled polyester, it features a sweater-knit face and fleece interior.
Roots Creekside shearling fleece
If you’re looking to make an impression on the slopes and the streets, consider this high-pile shearling fleece made with mostly recycled fibres. It’s available in solid colours, but the eye-catching floral pattern is the standout option.
Quince polar fleece jacket
A budget-friendly option, Quince’s classic jacket is available in many colours, and women’s sizes as well. A relaxed-fit style, it features multiple zip pockets and a 100 per cent recycled polyester shell.
In the women’s section
Uniqlo and JW Anderson windproof fleece jacket
Part of Uniqlo’s latest collaboration with fashion designer Jonathan Anderson (also the current creative director at Dior), this unisex jacket is available in four autumnal hues. It has an oversized fit, and the polyester-blend fleece is designed to be soft and non-itchy.
Arc’teryx Covert cardigan
Available in men’s and women’s sizing as well as half-zip and vest iterations, this premium, mid-weight fleece is designed for the outdoors. The recycled polyester fabric offers resistance to abrasion and pilling and some stretch for movement.
Hooké Valley light polar fleece
This lightweight quarter-zip, made with recycled polyester, features the work of local artist Mireille Bouchard. It’s designed in Quebec City and made overseas.