Pop Quiz: Name an upscale designer brand that hasn’t recently added some kind of fleece jacket to their list of menswear. In trouble? It is probably because there is none. A few years ago the only way the fleece would be inescapable was if you were somehow trapped at a birding convention. Now it’s everywhere.

In just a few seasons, chunky-haired outerwear has leapt off the shoulders of your former high school geography teacher and onto every cover page of a fashion magazine, haute couture runway and streetwear Instagram account worthy of the name. . It’s the new daddy shoe, or mommy jeans – a fundamentally uncool garment, converted and rekindled by the fashion world’s propensity to make tongue-in-cheek statements.

Only, this is more than irony. Fleece is past that stage now, and the more we wear it, the more we come to truly appreciate it. It’s light, it’s warm, and it’s deliciously retro. It adds depth and texture to an outfit and putting one looks like a hug from a friendly bear.

Who wouldn’t want a fleece jacket?

Pull & Bear

Three ways to wear a fleece jacket

Inspired by hiking

Basically, the best fleece jackets are outerwear. Fleece was first developed by outerwear and with the hiking trend still on the rise, it is possible to wear one as intended while still making it look great.

Starting from scratch, get yourself shoes worthy of the mountain. Luxury leather hiking boots if you think classic, or sophisticated trail shoes if you think contemporary. As for the pants, regular-fit cargo pants that are tightened just above the ankles should do the trick, especially if chosen in black, khaki or navy blue.

For the main event, go retro. Patagonia is the king of fleece jackets, known for its thick, retro pile. And on the color side, cream is always a safe bet. Tie it up with a rolled up mini beanie and you’re good to go.

Layering work clothes

Workwear is one of the cornerstones of modern menswear, and layering is one of the cornerstones of workwear. When the mercury starts to drop, there are worse styles to decorate your wardrobe, and fleece jackets happen to be very comfortable in the workwear realm.

Start with a fleece jacket, without the sleeves. It might seem counterintuitive when trying to stay warm, but the reduced volume will make it easier to stack (no pun intended) layers. Speaking of which, under the vest wear a thin base layer, like a t-shirt or long sleeve, and a thicker layer on top. A round neck or hoodie would do the trick.

For the outer layer, a chore jacket is the obvious choice. Just make sure you buy a size big enough to fit everything underneath. A size above normal should do the trick. Finish with straight leg raw jeans and a pair of leather work boots to unify the look.

Outerwear

Traditionally, fleece jackets were a pretty dull affair. However, since haute couture put their claws into this fluffy fabric, things have gotten a lot more interesting. Bold patterns, vivid color blocks and even graphic designs can now be seen everywhere. Fleece has become a statement, and handled with care, it can be a sturdy way to add spice to your winter wardrobe.

As is always the case with any type of on-trend clothing, the key to success is making sure the rest of the look is subtle and clean. The outfit accompanying the fleece of the statement should serve as a kind of blank canvas. Think about understated basics, in neutral or neutral tones.

All black is always a good option, and it leaves the door open for many different types of shoes. Opt for a leather boot in bad weather or tone-on-tone technical sneakers in more favorable conditions.

The best brands of fleece jackets

The north face

We can’t talk about outdoor brands without mentioning The North Face. The Cali-born mountaineering label has become the most recognizable in the world, and fleece has been a staple from the start. The Denali fleece is TNF’s signature style, complemented by a healthy dose of street cred from a long-standing collaboration with Supreme.

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Patagonia

Patagonia’s Synchilla (synthetic chinchilla) material was the original fleece fabric. No wonder then that the outdoor label’s fleece jackets are considered the best and most original. Packed with build quality and retro styling, Patagonia’s wool warmers have everyone from seasoned mountaineers to savvy fashion influencers among their followers, and for very good reason.

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Rab

Sheffield, South Yorkshire. Barely the Himalayas and yet it is home to one of the most respected mountaineering brands on the face of the Earth. Rab entered the arena in the depths of his down jackets and sleeping bags, but the fleeces were not far behind. The designs tend to be performance-oriented and lightweight, but don’t be surprised to see the heavy and retro-tinted option here and there as well.

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Ark

We know two things about Sweden: it’s cold and they love minimalist outfits there. Combine these two nuggets of craftsmanship and it shouldn’t be so surprising to learn that Swedes know how to get by with a trendy fleece jacket. If you’re a prom player, Acne Studios is probably the way to go, but for the rest of us, the newcomer to Arket Street has it all.

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Aimé Léon Doré

More and more, streetwear and fleece go hand in hand. No brand currently illustrates this better than New York’s Aime Leon Dore. Teddy Santis’ colorful collections have opened up streetwear to a new audience, and the jazzy, color-block fleece jacket is quickly becoming one of his iconic fall / winter pieces.

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Carhartt WIP

For this wool workwear flex, no brand does a better job of delivering goods than Carhartt WIP. A more fashion-focused version of the American heavyweight workwear, WIP (Work In Progress) takes up its older brother’s commitment to making durable clothing and adds a touch of streetwear. Expect a big pile, weird camo print, and unmatched build quality for the price.

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Adsum

Inspired by “the cities and countryside of the American Northeast,” Brooklyn-born Adsum has recently made waves in the world of contemporary menswear. He also made some rather attractive fleeces made from both a lightweight Polartec fabric and a sturdier, heavier material. These are fleece jackets that you can wear to the pub without worrying about receiving birdwatchers jibes from your friends.

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Uniqlo

For budget-conscious fleece fanatics, there are worse places to shop than Japanese heavyweights Uniqlo. The brand’s signature balance of quality and affordability has made it one of our favorites, and with fleece collaborations like Engineered Garments and JW Anderson, it’s clear Uniqlo is a retailer that takes its fleece jackets seriously. .

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Burberry

Is there something that quintessential British luxury brand Burberry won’t be applying to its signature tartan? If fleeces are something to do, then apparently not. It’s a bold look and certainly not for everyone, but if you’ve got the balls and the Benjamins to pull it off, then more power for you.

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Woolrich

Everything Woolrich produces is done with the utmost attention to detail. His outerwear is some of the best one can buy, and his fleece jackets, which are often made from tough Polartec fabric, are some of the best designed. Expect plenty of zip pockets, ribbed cuffs, and hidden details such as drawstrings at the waist.

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