PARIS, Nov 15 — Where are the fashion police when you need them? As winter arrives and the energy crisis looms, clothing retailers are flooding the scene with garments that are certainly warm and insulating, but which seem to see style as an afterthought. After sleeveless puffer jackets, turtlenecks and balaclavas, the fleece jacket is the latest star of the season.
There’s much talk of the 1990s and 2000s ruling fashion right now, but the 1980s seem set to haunt us this winter. This is due to the return — or the breakthrough outside of snowy peaks — of the fleece sweater or jacket. The antithesis of fashion, this warm and insulating garment is already finding favour among models, actresses, singers and other famous influencers worldwide. Yes, really.
It’s important to remember that fleece, an ultra-resistant man-made textile, was first and foremost designed to offer the same, if not better, performance than wool. Namely, this synthetic fiber was destined to make warm and comfortable clothing and household linens. This we owe to a company called Malden Mills , and this backstory proves, in one way or another, that fleece clothing is above all technical, and thus intended for outdoor activities such as skiing, hiking, etc.