Once a garment for mountaineers and hikers, the fleece sweater has now claimed a spot in many people’s wardrobes, especially after the recent years’ focus on comfort and function. As a result, it’s now worn in a plethora of different situations in which it’s paired with everything from Gore-Tex jackets on the ski slope to an overcoat for the office. We’ve chosen to divide the fleece sweater’s areas of use into three categories that we feel represent all aspects of the garment - the outdoors, the city, and the home.

THE OUTDOORS

Let’s start with the fleece sweater’s natural habitat. Among logs and stones, the fleece is the uncrowned king of layering; almost everyone who has spent a day in the forest has used it as an insulating middle layer. Here, the sweater’s function is in focus. That’s why we’ve chosen a style from the Japanese brand Snow Peak. The loops of the fabric are slightly shorter, resulting in a thinner fleece sweater that fits easily under the shell jacket. The sweater is also replete with practical details such as thumb holes at the cuffs and extra pockets on the back. The latter are a perfect place to stash trail mix on longer outdoor treks.

THE CITY

The fleece sweater’s biggest upswing in popularity is undoubtedly in the type of everyday attire worn in our urban environments. Worn under an overcoat, the fleece is not the focus of the outfit. Still, its fluffy texture can add an interesting and contrasting detail. Since the coat now helps the wearer to keep warm, we can emphasise the aesthetic properties of the sweater. That’s why we’ve chosen a fleece vest in an eye-catching colour.

THE HOME

Finally, there are plenty of people who only throw on a fleece sweater when they are at home, especially during the winter months. In this situation, it’s the fleece’s soft texture and insulating properties that are sought after, but comfort comes before every other aspect of function. We’ve selected a patterned fleece cardigan with an eye-catching design. A perfect garment to throw over your shoulders if you start to feel chilly while putting together a puzzle or reading a book.