Now that the northern hemisphere is firmly in the cooler months of the year—and it’s only getting colder—it’s time to talk fleece. For bitter winter chills, fleece is hard to beat because the fabric is made to be both lightweight and incredibly insulating. And in recent years, fleece technology has improved so much that the variety on offer is now immense both in quality, style, and price. If you thought that Colorado bros have the market cornered with their Patagonia zip-ups, it’s time to reconsider the category altogether.
I was previously super hesitant about fleece because, for most of my life, I assumed its pieces all looked the same. But while shopping in Manchester last year, I came upon a button-up fleece chore jacket with a rounded collar from UK-based Universal Works that changed my mind about what fleece could look like. But in speaking with Universal Works design director and co-founder David Keyte about the material, I learned that the name is actually a catchall that could mean different things depending on where you are. “There really are so many different fleeces,” Keyte says. “It’s an amazing technical invention that replaced knitted wools and cottons to become a flexible layer of clothing that moves with the body and is warm. Fleece became the modern version of those traditional fabrics, but it’s made of synthetic fibers that hold warmth and are lightweight.”
My jacket is a wool-blend fleece (that almost looks like boiled wool), which Keyte says is great for heat regulation. I use it from fall on; either on its own or layered underneath a heavier coat when it gets bitingly cold out. But regardless of which brand or style you go for, that’s kind of the benefit of fleece when it comes to outerwear or as a shirt or sweater: They offer enough warmth when worn on their own, but most are light enough to be another protective layer to partner with heavier items for harsher winter days.
Here, you’ll find our picks for 28 fleece items that will serve you well from now through spring.
Find the best fleece essentials by category:
The fleece zip-up
When you think of fleece clothing, the item that most likely pops up in your mind is the classic lightweight zip-up. You’ve seen it everywhere: on the hiking trails, at the craft brewery, and, maybe even, at the office. The jacket’s ubiquity is easy to explain: It’s warm, comfortable, and, these days, comes in a variety of materials and patterns: You can go for the classic Patagonia in a solid color or go wild with a bomber-style camo jacket from Universal Works.
The fleece coat
For a heavier fleece coat, you can go one of two ways: There are more standard-issue options that feature a fleece lining (like the Vince Camuto below). Or you can go for the more eye-catching options that will serve as the hero piece of your wardrobe during the bleakest days of the year or if you’re looking to turn heads while strolling around Gstaad. (The Farm Rio coat below is sure to be a conversation starter.)
The fleece top
While a classic fleece zip-up is a wear-with-everything workhorse, it might not be your style. Thankfully, there are plenty of alternatives. And they’re just as versatile as the original: The shirt-jacket from Amazon is perfect for day-to-day wear, but we love the sporty Burton pullover in this gorgeous magenta for every possible après-ski outing we hope to do in the Rockies.
The fleece vest
Like the fleece full-zip jacket, the fleece vest is a classic that has been recently modernized in a wide variety of prints and silhouettes. But regardless of these updates, however, the fleece vest has remained a genuinely useful wardrobe staple. They’re great for flights (easy to ball up into a pillow). And for trips when you can’t quite nail down the weather (like Paris in May or San Francisco anytime), the fleece vest is a fantastic layering item. Or put it on during your early-morning run along the Seine for added protection.
The fleece pant
Trade in your warm-weather sweats for more insulating fleece options this winter. And just to reiterate the variety now available in the category, we’ve selected fleece-lined pants that you can take on your skiing trips as well as fleece-lined jeans that you can wear around the city.
