Polar
Fleece (polar fleece) is a winter must-have item known for its high performance; Polar Fleece
It has optimal warmth and moisture wicking properties and is known for maintaining an ultra-light and soft feel, unlike fabrics such as wool. With innovations in raised fabrics and concerns over their sustainability credentials having seen many textile materials reinvented in recent years, we take a look at the history of this versatile and historically ground-breaking fabric, and How it plays out in the future of the circular economy.

1979
In 2001, Malden Mills, a textile manufacturer in Massachusetts, trademarked “Polar
fleece”, a name later adopted by the fashion and outdoor performance apparel industries as “Polar
Fleece”. Engineers began experimenting with polyester’s durability in outdoor sportswear by converting polyester yarns into a dense fabric similar to lightweight terry cloth. Via partnership with Patagonia
Working together, Malden Mills has successfully developed a cost-effective alternative to wool. It has excellent performance and has witnessed the Polar Fleece
Widely used in the colder months as a functional yet stylish fabric. This fabric was originally used in many functional items as a thermal layer for outdoor adventurers and soon replaced the 70’s and 80’s
Popular cardigans and knitted pullovers from the 1970s. It’s even become a popular element in pet clothing!

Malden Mills Industries in Massachusetts

How polar fleece became popular

Over time, Polar
The development of Fleece colors and styles led to an unprecedented rise in popularity in the 1990s, as the industry developed graphic iterations of the fabric. Patterned sweaters and hooded pullovers are 80s and 90s
One of the most popular fleece adaptations of the 1970s, it often features fleece artwork or nature scenes. Interestingly, with the 90
The nostalgic trend of the 1990s hit retail shelves, and today we continue to see adaptations of patterned outerwear.

A sustainable future for polar fleece

To satisfy Consumer demand and industry push for more sustainable
Polar Fleece
Pressure to iterate, fabrics have been developed to adapt to a greener outlook, and polar fleece continues to appear on shelves and even on catwalks. Plastic bottle recycling is a particular win for fleece fabric development, but we see another future for this innovative fabric from the past. Thanks to the technical durability of the fiber, garments that date back several generations retain their structure and are ideal components for reproduction into new clothes and accessories. With upcycling on the rise, we will see old products given new life, no doubt with some innovation, Polar
Fleece can play a role in the circular economy.