Imagine the following scene – you’re walking down the street and you happen to glance by a window, the most dope-looking fleece pullover. You might now be thinking to yourself – Hang on, mister or miss writing this article, I don’t even know what a pullover is.
Well, like everything in life, let’s lay the foundations for today’s article. We are diving into the world of fleece and pullovers. In order to help you decide how to choose the best fleece for your pullovers, we first have to understand what the both are and how they work with each other.
What is fleece?
Fleece is an extremely adaptable piece of clothing that everyone should have in their closet.
Apparel made from this material is constructed of a man-made synthetic fibre that looks very much like, but should never be confused with a sheep or goat’s fuzzy coat! The majority of fleece is composed entirely of polyester.
Fleece apparel can include fleece pants and fleece gilets, but it is most frequently associated with fleece jackets and tops.
It makes for an excellent mid-layer material because it is constructed of long-lasting synthetic fibres that trap air and keep you warm. Tops like hoodies and sweaters are typically made from this material with varying weights and technical characteristics to suit a variety of applications.
What is a pullover?
No matter which definition you look at, whether it’s the dictionary’s or the fashion police’s, a pullover is basically any garment that does not have any buttons and which you pull over your clothes.
This basic definition means that it really could be a jumper, a sweater, a hoodie, a jacket, just about anything that one can use to pull over that awesome custom printed polo t-shirt. Yes, we deal in custom printing for polo t-shirts too!
Despite Singapore’s tropical weather, there are still locations where you may want to wear hoodies and pullovers without feeling too warm. Hoodies can be worn by students in freezing lecture halls to keep them warm, especially if the lecture hall is notorious for being extremely cold. You may add a customised design to your hoodie or pullover for that unique touch on your classic hoodie or pullover.
A garment such as this can also be quite handy if your class is going for an overseas vacation to colder climes. The same is true in business situations where staff can wear a hoodie or pullover emblazoned with the company’s brand while travelling abroad.
Aside from its functional use, a customised garment can be an inexpensive way to promote a school or business, assisting in the dissemination of information on a big scale. Employees at the office might also use them to stay warm if the air conditioner setting is set too low.
Types of fleece?
We have it on good authority that there are many types of fleece and that the everyday term we know and use for fleece is just a general term for a warm and soft fabric that’s usually worn in winter, and it can be used as a lining or as a stand-alone fabric.
A good majority of fleece fabrics that you find on the market today are man-made and produced from synthetic components. Essentially, any synthetic cloth is a type of plastic. Plastics are created by combining several chemicals and treating them to give them certain properties based on how they will be used.
This liquid chemical will be the base of the raw materials used to make fabric. The components are heated to mix them and after being blended, the liquid cools to a syrupy viscosity and is put through a spinneret, which is a disc with holes. The liquid hardens into strings after passing through the spinneret.
The strings are weaved into yarn, which is then knitted together to make the fabric. In the case of fleece, the cloth is brushed in a machine called a napper to give it more texture. The fibres are next cut with a shearing machine, which softens them as well. The fabric is then treated to make it more waterproof if necessary for certain types of fleece.
Natural or Synthetic?
This then raises the question, if these chemicals are used, then is there such a thing as a natural fleece?
The answer is yes and no. The ones that go through the process we’ve mentioned using chemicals are man-made and, by extension, synthetic.
There are, however, natural fleece types which utilise the methods mentioned, just without the chemicals. Cotton fleece is one example and can be made with 100% cotton or be a blend of polyester and cotton. It is noteworthy that synthetic fabric makes up the bulk of what we call fleece and is more durable as well as versatile.
Aside from natural cotton fleece, what other types of fleece are there? There are, of course, many types available on the market today, but we’ll be touching on the three main ones that we feel are most relevant to today’s topic.
1. Anti-pill
One of the disadvantages of fleece is that it can pill up. These pills are caused by the fibres rubbing together during the wash as a result of static electricity or abrasion. The strands become twisted and form small balls on the surface of the cloth, known as pills.
Because of the tendency of fleece to pill, anti-pill fleece was developed. This fleece resists pilling as a result of being used and washed. The fleece was treated with a chemical that prevents the fibres from becoming twisted, hence decreasing pilling.
While anti-pill fleece will not remain pill-free indefinitely, it will resist pilling for a longer period than other types of fleece. Clothing manufactured with anti-pill fleece will last longer than non-anti-pill fleece. Anti-pill fleece is ideal for clothing that is worn and laundered regularly, such as sleepwear and pyjamas.
2. Blizzard
No, it’s not that famed game developer that gave us all DOTA, but it is actually a type of fleece that is smoother and softer than the anti-pill fleece. It is also denser and thicker which helps keep you warm in…well…a blizzard. However, take note that it isn’t treated the same way as the anti-pill and will therefore be more prone to pilling.
3. Microfleece
Microfleece, which weighs less than 200 grammes per square metre, is the thinnest and lightest sort of fleece. As a result, microfleece is a comfortable fabric to wear because it does not weigh you down.
Because it is more versatile, you can use it as a layer under or over your outfits. Microfleece isn’t as warm as other varieties of fleece because it’s not as insulating.
However, because it is more breathable, it is utilised to manufacture lightweight clothing such as shirts and jackets. It is also suitable for the production of sportswear, bathrobes, and throw blankets.
How to choose?
As we have touched on earlier, which type of fleece to choose depends on:
1. Function
If you plan to use it in our climate, perhaps stay away from the blizzard type and look instead for the microfleece which is the thinnest and lightest.
2. How long do you want to use it
If you plan to use it for a long time to come, the anti-pill comes to mind.
3. Cost
The blizzard type is by far the most expensive.
4. Process
If chemical processes are not your thing, perhaps look into natural fleece like the cotton fleece.
5. Personal preference
This has to go without saying. We can recommend the microfleece as that would not make you sweat in our Singapore tropical heat, but if you want the fabric to not pill up, then there’s probably one type that speaks to you more than what we’ll recommend, right?
Closing words
We’ve covered the definitions, we’ve covered the different types of fleece fabric available on the market today, and we’ve given pointers of what to bear in mind when looking out for high quality fleece fabric when picking out a pullover.
Speaking of pullovers, did you know that we can print any logo or design on garments like hoodies? Yes, let’s say you and your classmates all want a ‘uniform’ that defines you on campus, give us a call and we’ll set something up!
