Throughout the ages, humans have developed many various forms of clothing to help keep warm. The use of wool for apparel—typically shorn from sheep—dates back to some of the earliest civilizations. However, the natural fiber did have its weaknesses. Wool does not truly keep you warm when it is damp. In fact, wool tends to absorb water and can take a very long time to dry. Additionally, it can become heavy when you need to wear several layers to provide essential insulation in very cold weather. Before the 1980s, bracing against the cold meant wearing layers of heavy material that restricted movement and performed poorly when wet.
But in 1981, a company called Malden Mills invented Polarfleece, and later Polartec, which forever changed the way the Western world dresses for cold temperatures and has certainly caught on. All age groups and generations wear fleeces and enjoy the warm, cozy feel of the fabric. From grandparents braving the outdoors to children wearing fleeces as part of their school uniform, fleece jackets have now become both a practical and trendy item of clothing. Even other uses have been found for polyester fleece fabric, such as underclothing for astronauts, lining for garments, and even ear warmers for calves born in winter.
The development of polyester fleece is a crucial and ingenious modern solution as we strive to be more sustainable and environmentally aware.