Warm, fuzzy fleece. It’s a staple of American athleisure wardrobes and a colorful canvas for corporate branding. Your clients clamor for the latest and greatest in fleece apparel so staying on top of what’s trending with this popular fabric is important. PPB reached out to several industry suppliers to find out what’s new in the styling, decoration and fabrication of fleece.
“Lighter fabrics, decorated hood liners on hoodies, and the revival of the quarter zip are definite uptrends in the fleece category,” says Steve Pinzon, marketing director for City of Industry, California-based supplier AKWA (PPAI 205981). He also emphasizes that lighterweight fleece is becoming more popular. “Traditional 80/20 sweatshirt fleece has not gone away, but mid-weight, soft-shell fleece has really established itself,” Pinzon says.
“Soft shell is generally lighter, softer, often a higher perceived value, and was a nonfactor 10 years ago. Now, it’s thoroughly entrenched and growing. It’s more intuitive to describe soft shell, rather than sweatshirt fleece, as ‘department store quality.’ It offers style options, sublimation options, and a more corporate look than traditional sweatshirt fleece.”
Ty Cannon, national business management director for supplier Cutter & Buck (PPAI 196156) in Seattle, Washington, points to new types of fleece fabric styling that are having a greater influence in the category. “Gridback jacquard fleece has raised fleece squares on the back side of the fabric, which improves airflow and temperature regulation,” he says. “High pile and sweaterfleece are also trending. We are also seeing lots of hybrid treatments where fleece is being pieced with other knit or woven fabrics.”
Fleece is evolving from just providing warmth to also offering protection from the elements with the introduction of laminated fleece. “In addition to insulating, laminated fleece gives outerwear-like performance,” Cannon says.
Retail trends have a major impact on promotional fleece offerings and supplier Hanes/Champion (PPAI 191138) has introduced a new collection to capitalize on leading retail trends. “Premium athletic wear is dominant across retail, as are heritage brands and retro styles,” says John Spivey, marketing manager for Champion Athleticwear. “Premium apparel specifically designed for embellishment provides a unique opportunity for growth. You have advanced fabrications, such as sueded fleece, that customers may not have seen before.”
As for generational breakdown of fleece style preference, nothing is written in stone, says Pinzon, but he can point to some general trends. “In California, the younger market often prefers a fitted or fashion fleece. While the older generations often preferred traditional jackets in the past, they’re now buying soft shell [fleece]. And surprisingly, the military has bought into soft shell as well.”
What does appear to be written in stone, however, is that fleece is here to stay. “[Fleece] continues to grow and will be a relevant product going forward,” says Cannon.
Choose From These Fleece Finds For Your Clients’ Logos
Kati Sportcap / PPAI 113758 /www.katisportcap.com
AKWA / PPAI 205981 / www.akwa.com
Hanes/Champion / PPAI 191138 / www.hanesbullseye.com
SanMar / PPAI 110788 / www.sanmar.com
Alternative Apparel / PPAI 217134 / www.alternativeapparel.com
J. America / PPAI 351699 /www.jamericablanks.com
Storm Creek / PPAI 438091 / www.stormcreek.com
White Bear Clothing Company / PPAI 236468 / www.whitebearclothing.com
Vantage Apparel / PPAI 113235 / www.vantageapparel.com
Heritage Sportswear / PPAI 177353 / www.heritagesportswear.com
Cutter & Buck / PPAI 196156 / www.cbcorporate
CASE STUDY
AL FRESCO FLEECE
When Kanata Blanket Company (PPAI 217153) was tasked with creating a custom-printed fleece blanket as an anniversary gift for Cirque du Soleil employees around the globe, the company chose its popular Explorer blanket, a water-resistant, PVC-coated picnic blanket reversed with 100-percent polyester fleece. The dyes Kanata uses in screen printing its fleece blankets are all fully cured and sublimated, so the fabric maintains its softness and the design stays true with repeated washings. The client was thrilled with the outcome of the product and was proud to present a unique gift that its employees could use and enjoy.
Know Your Fleece
Gridback jacquard: Raised fleece squares on the back side of the fabric improve airflow and temperature regulation
Sweaterfleece: Provides unmatched softness with the look and feel of heathered wool
Microfiber: A low-pile, lightweight fabric commonly used for hats, scarves, gloves and children’s clothing
Performance: A light fabric commonly used to make activewear and pajamas
Soft Shell: Lighter weight with a higher perceived value
How To Care For Fleece
Fleece is made from synthetic fibers (usually 100-percent polyester). Eco-friendly fleece is made of fibers derived from recycled products, including plastic bottles, or from sustainably harvested wool. Consider including care tips like these on a garment hangtag.
DO wash a fleece garment after six to seven wearings.
DO turn garments inside out and wash in cold water with like colors.
DO use a mild powder detergent and rinse garments twice to avoid detergent residue.
DON’T wash with lint-producing items such as towels.
DON’T use heat to dry fleece. Air dry or set dryer to lowest setting.
DON’T use fabric softeners and dryer sheets if the fleece has a water-resistant finish.
DON’T use bleach. To whiten fleece, set out in the sun for a few hours.
*Hint: the easiest way to remove stubborn pet hair is by wiping fleece with a wet rubber glove.
Source: Real Simple, Howtocleanstuff.net
Julie Richie is an Austin, Texas-based writer and former associate editor for PPB.