Thursday, November 3, 2011

Keep Yourself Warm Through Fleece Clothing

By Mike Walters


Fleece refers to the wool obtained from a sheep or another animal at one shearing. It is a soft bulky deep-piled knitted or woven fabric used chiefly for clothing. Hailed in 1999 as "one of the hundred great things of the 20th Century" by the Time Magazine, fleece fabric is today available in several finishes and textures and is used for a variety of applications such as fleece jackets.

Since the beginning of time, man has tried many ways to keep himself/herself warm. Over the years, various types of fabric, wool for example, have been used for clothing. Until the 1980s, layers upon layers of heavy fabric are being used to create clothing that would keep one warm during the cold weather. It was in 1981 when the clothing industry significantly changed the way the world dresses for cold weather with the invention of Polar fleece by the company called Malden Mills.

Malden Mills invented a fabric that still insulates when wet while still allowing the body to breath. Said fabric was also discovered to provide four times the insulation properties of cotton and twice to that of merino wool. The fabric is also soft to the touch and extremely light weight. As such, among the various products made out of said material, fleece jackets have become one of the most popular. However, Malden Mills' Polar fleece also presented a number of disadvantages. As such, over the years that followed, various modifications were made to the said fabric. Today, Berber Fleece, Sherpa and Shearling, and Plush fleece are among the varieties of the fleece fabric being used in the manufacture of fleece products.

As was aforementioned, fleece is today being used in the manufacture of a variety of products. Outerwear such as jackets and boots, as well as hats, scarves, gloves, and mittens are among the popular yields of the fleece fabric. This is primarily because of the fabric's insulating properties. Nonetheless, blankets, sheets, and towels, as well as sleeping bags and pet beds are also being manufactured out of fleece. With its soft and durable feel, fleece is also being used in the production of kids' plush toys.

Aside from the aforementioned properties of fleece, there are also a number of other benefits that can be acquired from the use of said fabric. As was already explained, it insulating properties that allow it to maintain warmth even under the harshest conditions is one of the primary benefits of fleece. Its durability is another advantage that is being lauded about this fabric. As such, it can be used for a much longer time than other types of fabric. Also, great comfort and unhindered movement can definitely be enjoyed when using or wearing fleece fabric products such as fleece jackets with the fabric's versatility. Also, fleece is easy to sew and launders well, not to mention less expensive than other types of fabric.

A number of benefits can indeed be derived from the use of fleece fabric. Also, the products that are manufactured from this type of fabric such as fleece jackets and towels are indeed items that are necessary in our day-to-day living especially if we live in areas with cold weather conditions. As such, employing the use of products made from this fabric can indeed be regarded as noteworthy.




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