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The Best Men's Fleece Jackets Are a Cosy Wardrobe Essential
The outdoorsy staple with everlasting appeal
Are men's fleeces still having a moment or have we simply realised that comfort is king? Once a purely practical piece endorsed by hikers, climbers and National Trust membership holders, the comfy, dependable layer has been on the up since the birth of the ‘core’ trends of the mid-Tens (namely dadcore, gorpcore and normcore) that prompted mellowing millennials, like I, to sport semi-ironic, function-first ‘fits. And just like that, the fleece became a cosy wardrobe essential.
Fortunately there are plenty of fuzzy offerings to choose from. In fact, there may be more than ever. Hooded ones, zip ones, light ones, thick ones, striped ones, plaid ones – you name it, it’s out there. You can even cop a true-to-the-original version of the fleece that started it all: the Patagonia Retro Pile Jacket. Prefer something a little more current? Scroll down to get acquainted with the best of the best; exceptional fleeces designed by the likes of Drake’s, Arket and And Wander.
Burberry
Daniel Lee – the Yorkshire-born designer that made Bottega Veneta a hit circa 2019 – holds the reins at Burberry these days, which is a major win for the British fashion scene, and, apparently, all those with a predilection for statement tartan fleeces.
£1,789;endclothing.com
Cole Buxton
More Soho than Snowdon, Carnaby hotspot Cole Buxton has employed fleece to create a blazing blue heavyweight bomber that's refreshingly sans-gorpcore vibes.
£320; colebuxton.com
Outdoor Voices
Outdoor Voices has transcended its activewear origins. The NYC-born, Texas-based brand is now ready to dress you for casual days spent outside of the gym in bits so deluxe, they're stocked on Mr Porter.
£102; mrporter.com
Canada Goose
Fear of God Essentials
Occupying the largely untapped space between high-end luxury and accessible streetwear, Fear of God Essentials is working hard to provide elevated staples to get excited about – like this mood-boosting fleece – to those on a budget.
£150; selfridges.com
Drake's
SHOP
A densely-knitted boucle jersey fleece jacket that perfectly illustrates Drake's grown-up approach to collegiate prep.
£345; drakes.com
Woolrich
You needn't be a handsome lumberjack to get away with this Woolrich layer, but you'll sure look like one.
£259; woolrich.com
Salehe Bembury x Moncler Genius
Salehe Bembury adopts concepts from an archived Moncler mountaineering line and mingles them with his own innovative ideas to fashion a timeless utilitarian fleece for contemporary consumers.
£675; endclothing.com
Uniqlo
As might be expected, shopping centre linchpin Uniqlo vends a reliable fleece jacket at a bargain price. What’s the catch? There isn’t one! Aside from the fact you may squander several hours choosing between the eighteen colourways.
£29.90; uniqlo.com
And Wander
Tokyo-based And Wander has succeeded in cultivating a cult following during its 13 years of existence, which is hardly surprising since most pieces are as covetable as this seasonless hooded fleece.
£316; mytheresa.com
Kapital
Trust Kapital to turn the fleece, quirky. Ingredients used: a pastel palette, an Aztec-esque pattern and the brand’s signature skeleton motif.
£400; mrporter.com
Craghoppers
If the unending gorpcore trend is ingrained into your present wardrobe – we’re talking to you Salomon sporters, you Arc’teryx wearers, you Nike ACG nuts – consider this Craghoppers fleece our recommendation for you.
£30; craghoppers.com
Thrudark
Founded by two former Special Forces operators, Thrudark is on a steadfast mission to provide its patrons with the sartorial weaponry required to battle harsh climates. The Phalanx Fleece, for example, is a layer of defence designed to trap body heat.
£235; thrudark.com
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