Teddy Boy: Fluffy dad core wool makes a comeback

LLike Crocs and Birkenstocks, fleeces are enjoying a golden age. From Off-White to Hermès and Dior, designers are pushing the outdoors-only aesthetic into more desirable streetwear pieces. This once-outdated dad core piece has come a long way since the turn of the century. In the 1970s, Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard explored the use of this fabric, eventually partnering with Massachusetts fabric manufacturer Malden Mills (now Polartec) to create the first wool.

Dior 2023 Fall Men’s Wear Photograph: Giovanni Giannini/WWD/Getty Images

Patagonia’s El Capitan style, named after the Californian summit, is an OG fleece style, but for a thicker version, the brand’s Retro-X fleece style is a nice addition to the range (£175, working class heroes.co.uk). Passenger’s Trekker recycled polyester sherpa with corduroy details is another piece that’s perfect for everyday wear, (£114.95, passenger clothing network). “When in doubt, go Scandinavian” is a style rule that rarely fails, especially in this category. The Kofu style from Danish brand Rains is particularly thick and warm(8), eliminating the need for a jacket on cold days.

Performance brands like 66°North and The North Face do a great job with fleece, but for a trendier style, look for Heresy, whose folk designs (3) come with matching pants. It would be remiss to talk about fleece without mentioning Drake’s or Aimé. Leon Dore regularly dominates the headlines on menswear style blogs. They’re expensive, so take a styling tip and pick one up on the high street that’s easy to carry. Cos’ gray option (5), which can be paired with a white shirt and black pants, is a Chelsea boot look that’s not meant for hiking.