A women's fleece jacket is the garment that solves those days when a coat is too much and a sweater is too little. It weighs almost nothing, it warms instantly, and it dries quickly if you're surprised by a shower. That's why fleece has moved from the forest walk into the everyday wardrobe – and has become a garment you actually want to wear in the city.
In this guide, we'll go over why the fleece jacket is so useful during Swedish autumn days, what models are available, how the different materials differ, how to choose a fit, how to style the fleece so that it looks well thought out, and how to wash it without destroying the pile. Below you'll find our favorites and answers to the most frequently asked questions.
Content
- That's why the fleece jacket is perfect for Swedish autumn
- Models – from teddy to thin mid-layer fleece
- Materials and heat
- Fit and size
- How to style your fleece jacket
- Washing and care
- Our favorites right now
- Frequently asked questions
- Summary
That's why the fleece jacket is perfect for Swedish autumn
Swedish autumn is rarely just cold – it's changeable. Eight degrees and sunny in the morning, fourteen and windy in the middle of the day, six and drizzle in the evening. Fleece is built for exactly that: it warms a lot in relation to its weight, and it never gets so hot that you have to take it off indoors.
The second advantage is that fleece dries quickly. Unlike wool and down, the material hardly absorbs moisture, making it a better choice than a down jacket when it's wet rather than cold. If it gets really cold, the fleece also works great as a mid-layer under a coat.
Models – from teddy to thin mid-layer fleece
Teddy fleece is the thick, furry variety with long pile. It is the warmest, coziest and the one that looks most like an outerwear garment in itself. A fluffy teddy fleece jacket With a stand-up collar and large pockets, the jacket completely replaces the cold.
Sherpa fleece is close to teddy but has a denser, more structured pile and often contrasting details in plain fabric. A sherpa teddy jacket with contrast details therefore becomes a little tighter in expression than a completely shaggy model.
Thin fleece with short pile is the mid-layer. It is barely visible under a coat but increases warmth noticeably, and it works alone on a mild day. A soft fleece jacket for autumn is the most useful variant if you want a garment that will do the job from August to November.
Fleece-lined jacket is actually the opposite: a durable outer fabric with fleece on the inside. A fleece-lined autumn jacket gives you the warmth of fleece with the windproofness of a shell – best when it's windy.
Materials and heat
Fleece is basically polyester, often recycled. This is what gives the material its three properties: it is lightweight, it insulates by trapping air in the pile, and it barely absorbs water.
Thickness is often stated in grams per square meter. Roughly speaking, around 200 g/m² is a mid-layer fleece, while 300 g/m² and up is the thick teddy variety that works as an outerwear. The longer the pile, the more air – and the warmer.
What fleece is not, however, is windproof. The air that warms you blows right through when it's windy. If you're often out in the wind, choose a waterproof jacket with fleece lining instead, or put a thin shell over the fleece.
Do you want to see how fleece is worn stylishly in the coldest days of autumn and winter? ELLE three concrete ways to style the garment.
Fit and size
First decide what role the jacket will have. Will the fleece be worn extremely If you want a little extra room to fit a sweater underneath – take your usual size in a model that is already relaxed. Should it be intermediate layer Under a coat, it should sit close to the body, otherwise it will be bulky over the shoulders.
Look at three details: the collar, the cuffs and the length. A stand-up collar replaces the scarf and is the difference between warm and really warm. Ribbed cuffs prevent the cold from creeping in at the wrists. And the length determines the expression – a short model works best with high-waisted trousers, while a longer one covers the hips and is more cozy.
Pockets are worth checking out on a fleece that will be worn outside. Two large side pockets mean you don't need mittens most days.
How to style your fleece jacket
Weekday: fleece, straight jeans and white sneakers. Keep the fleece in an earthy colour – suede, beige, moss green or off-white – and it will instantly look more fashion than outdoorsy.
Stock in stock: a fleece open over a knit sweater, with the collar visible underneath. The combination provides both warmth and visible structure, which is what makes the outfit look planned.
With dress: A short fleece over a midi dress and boots is one of the easiest ways to style this fall. The contrast between shaggy and flowing makes the whole look interesting.
Under the coat: Thin fleece as a mid-layer under a wool coat works well down to freezing temperatures, and you don't need a big winter jacket in November.
Avoid to combine fleece with the rest of your outdoor wardrobe. Fleece plus hiking pants plus backpack reads as equipment; fleece plus jeans plus a nice bag reads as an outfit.
Washing and care
Wash the fleece at 30 degrees, preferably inside out and together with similar garments. Use no fabric softener – it settles into the pile, flattens it and makes the jacket stop warming as well.
Do not tumble dry. Fleece is polyester and does not tolerate heat well: the pile tangles and becomes stiff. Hang the jacket on a hanger instead, it will dry in a couple of hours.
Fleece releases microplastics into the laundry. A laundry bag that catches fibers is a cheap and easy solution, and it also helps the pile stay nice for longer.
Our favorites right now
Three fleece jackets that cover a different role in the wardrobe:
- Fluffy teddy fleece jacket – the warm one, which replaces the jacket all autumn.
- Double-sided lightweight fleece jacket – two expressions in one garment, perfect as a mid-layer.
- Checked fleece-lined autumn jacket with hood – for those wet, windy days.
Frequently asked questions
How warm is a fleece jacket?
A thick teddy fleece is about as warm as a thin winter jacket down to freezing temperatures, while a thin fleece is equivalent to a knitted sweater. It's the thickness of the pile that matters.
Is fleece waterproof?
No, but it barely absorbs water and dries quickly. In case of rain you will need a shell over it, or a jacket with a fleece lining and waterproof outer fabric.
What size should I choose?
Your usual size if the fleece is to be worn as an outer layer over a sweater. If it is to be worn as a mid-layer under a coat, choose a model that fits closer to the body.
Can you wear a fleece jacket in the city?
Yes – choose an earthy color or off-white, keep the rest of the outfit simple with jeans and a nice shoe, and avoid combining with other outdoor gear.
How do you wash a fleece jacket?
30 degrees, inside out, no fabric softener and no tumble dryer. Hang on a hanger – it will dry in a couple of hours.
Why does fleece become flat after a while?
Most often caused by fabric softener or too high heat in the wash and dryer. The pile becomes dull and loses both its appearance and insulating ability.
Summary
The fleece jacket is the most practical piece in your fall wardrobe: light, warm, quick-drying and just as useful on its own as under a coat. Choose the thickness according to how you'll wear it, check the collar, cuffs and pockets, keep the color in earth tones and skip the fabric softener in the wash – then it will keep both its shape and warmth for many seasons.
Ready to find yours? Explore our women's jackets – free shipping within Sweden.
