{"id":113,"date":"2019-05-01T10:25:43","date_gmt":"2019-05-01T10:25:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/au.contrado.com\/blog\/?p=113"},"modified":"2020-02-13T14:46:34","modified_gmt":"2020-02-13T14:46:34","slug":"what-is-fleece","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/au.contrado.com\/blog\/what-is-fleece\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Fleece: Warm and Woolly, but Synthetic?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What is Fleece?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"fleece<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Fleece is a man-made wonder\nproduct, if there is such a thing. Despite being named after the \u2018fleece\u2019 coat\non a sheep, it\u2019s 100% synthetic and derived from plastic rather than a fluffy\nsheep\u2019s coat \u2013 despite being fuzzy to the touch. The super soft, warm and\nbreathable nature of this magic material makes it perfect for outerwear and all\nthings cosy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Fleece Made From?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"fleece<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Typically, fleece is created from\npolyester (which comes from plastic). The fibres of polyester are woven into a\nlight fabric which is brushed to help the fibres increase in volume.\nOccasionally other natural fibres are incorporated into the fleece such as\nwool, hemp or rayon to create a certain texture or vibrancy of the fabric.\nFleece can also be made from recycled plastics such as plastic water bottles,\ngiving it an eco-friendly edge whilst being inexpensive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How is Fleece Made?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For polyester fleece, the polyester\nfibres needs to be made first. This is created using a chemical reaction\ninvolving petroleum and petroleum derivatives. The chemicals are heated until\nthey form a thick syrup, which then hardens and is spun to form threads.\nBecause of the structure of the fibres, fleece is extremely warm and breathable\nand allows air to flow through it easily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Characteristics of Fleece<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"fleece<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The characteristics of fleece make it incredibly useful for keeping warm, particularly whilst being active. Fleece has a pile surface on both sides of the fabric, meaning each side has a layer of cut fibres. Air pockets can sit between the threads in this pile surface, meaning the material can hold in that bit more warmth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not only is polyester fleece warm\nand durable, but it is moisture resistant making it ideal for extreme weather\nconditions or for sportswear which it became popular for in the 1990s, due to\nit being warmer than wool and much lighter to wear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Fleece Used For?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Fleece<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Fleece has been used for everything from ear-warmers for baby calves, to underwear for astronauts. It\u2019s versatility makes it one of the most commonly used fabrics in the textile industry today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned, fleece is the ideal\nmaterial for athletic garments. The cloth wicks perspiration and moisture away from\nthe body, keeping athletes dry, while letting air circulate through the fibres.\nIt has also been known to keep odours from sweating at bay!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The short pile fabric increases the\nbody temperature when it\u2019s against the skin, making fleece the go-to fabric for\nwarming Winter garments. Coats, scarves, gloves, blankets are often made from\nthis lovely cosy material to create long-lasting and extra warm Winter wear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fleece Origins<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Fleece originated in the 1970s when\nMalden Mills developed polyester fleece, which was the basis on which all\nmodern fleece was created. Malden Mills was previously known for producing faux\nfur and wool garments, and the company wanted to replicate the insulating\nnature of these fabrics without the issues that come with natural wool (e.g.\nbeing wet when heavy, and needing sheep to create it).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Malden Mills partnered with outdoor\nclothing company Patagonia, together deubting Synchilla fleece \u2013 a strong, pile\nfabric made to imitate wool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The owner of Malden \u2013 Aaron\nFeuerstein \u2013 decided not to patent fleece, allowing it to be accessible to the\nmasses and inexpensive to purchase. Now working under the name PolarTec, the\ncompany continues to make it\u2019s famous fleece today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fleece Vs Wool<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Generally, fleece is preferred over\nwool because it is softer and much lighter in weight. Some people also find\nthemselves itchy when they wear wool, but this reaction is unlikely to happen\nwith synthetic polyester. However, wool has the advantage of being totally\nnatural and environmentally friendly, whereas fleece is only eco-friendly if\nproduced from recycled plastics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fleece:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n