How to Choose Fleece Fabric for Hoodies, Jackets and Winter Apparel

Fleece fabric is usually chosen when a garment needs more warmth, softness and body than regular jersey or French terry. It is widely used for hoodies, sweatshirts, joggers, jackets, pullovers, kidswear, blankets, robes and winter casualwear.

But “fleece” is not one fixed fabric. A cotton sweatshirt fleece for hoodies is very different from a polyester polar fleece for jackets, and both are different again from a thick teddy fleece for blankets or outerwear. So before choosing a fleece quality, the first question should be: what product are you making, and how warm or bulky can it be?

For real development, buyers should look at GSM, composition, brushing effect, surface feel, shrinkage, pilling, shedding, sewing bulk and final garment use together. Choosing fleece only by weight can easily lead to a fabric that feels warm as a swatch but becomes too heavy, too bulky or not stable enough in the finished garment.

What Is Fleece Fabric?

Fleece fabric is a warm knitted fabric category with a brushed, raised or plush surface. Depending on the construction, fleece can be soft on one side, brushed on both sides, or made with a thicker teddy-like pile.

In apparel sourcing, fleece is mainly used when the garment needs comfort and warmth. Lightweight fleece can work for liners or kidswear, midweight fleece is common for hoodies and sweatshirts, and heavier fleece is more suitable for jackets, robes, blankets and cold-weather products.

Fabric Type	Warm knit fleece fabric
Surface Options	Brushed, plush, single-sided, double-sided, polar fleece and teddy fleece
Main Strength	Soft warmth, fuller hand feel and cold-weather comfort
Common Weight Range	About 160gsm to 600gsm, depending on fleece type and product use
Common Fibres	Cotton, polyester, cotton polyester, CVC, heather yarn and blended yarns
Common Uses	Hoodies, sweatshirts, jackets, joggers, blankets, robes, kidswear and winter casualwear

When We Would Suggest Fleece Fabric

We would normally suggest fleece when the buyer wants a warmer garment with a soft inside touch. For hoodies, sweatshirts and joggers, brushed fleece is often a better direction than French terry if the style is for autumn or winter. For jackets, pullovers or blankets, polar fleece or teddy fleece may be more practical.

We would not suggest choosing fleece only because it “sounds warm”. If the garment has many seams, zippers, plackets, thick pockets or rib trims, the fabric bulk needs to be checked carefully. A very heavy fleece can look good in a swatch, but it may become difficult to sew or uncomfortable to wear if the garment design is not suitable.

Good For	Hoodies, sweatshirts, joggers, pullovers, jackets, kidswear, robes, blankets and winter casualwear.
Use With Care	Styles with heavy zippers, thick seams, complicated panels, tight cuffs or fitted silhouettes.
Check Before Bulk	Brushing effect, pilling, shedding, shrinkage, sewing bulk, colourfastness and garment fit after washing.
Not Always Best For	Warm-weather garments, very fitted styles or designs where a clean lightweight drape is needed.

Cotton Fleece, Polar Fleece and Teddy Fleece Are Not the Same

One common issue in fleece enquiries is that buyers may use the word “fleece” very broadly. In production, we still need to know which fleece direction they mean.

Cotton or cotton polyester fleece is closer to sweatshirt fabric. Polar fleece is usually polyester-based and focuses more on soft warmth and easy-care winter layers. Teddy fleece has a thick plush surface and is normally better for jackets, blankets, robes and cozy outerwear styles.

Fleece Type	Fabric Direction	Common Uses
Cotton Fleece	Sweatshirt-style fleece with a more natural cotton hand feel	Hoodies, sweatshirts, joggers, casual sets and kidswear
Cotton Polyester / CVC Fleece	Balanced comfort, stability and commercial practicality	Hoodies, sweatshirts, uniforms, jogger sets and daily casualwear
Polar Fleece	Polyester-based fleece with soft warmth and lighter winter function	Jackets, liners, pullovers, kidswear, blankets and outdoor layers
Teddy Fleece	Thicker plush surface with a stronger cozy winter look	Jackets, kids outerwear, robes, blankets and plush cold-weather products
Heather Fleece	Fleece with mélange or heather appearance	Casual hoodies, sweatshirts, joggers and daily winter basics

Fleece Fabric vs French Terry

Fleece and French terry are often used for similar garments, especially hoodies, sweatshirts and joggers. The difference is mainly on the reverse side of the fabric.

French terry usually has visible loops on the back. It feels cleaner and less bulky. Fleece is brushed or raised, so it feels warmer and softer inside. For spring or year-round casualwear, French terry may be enough. For colder-weather products, fleece is usually the better starting point.

Item	Fleece Fabric	French Terry Fabric
Back Side	Brushed, raised or plush	Looped back, usually not heavily brushed
Warmth	Warmer and softer inside	Cleaner and less bulky
Best Season	Autumn, winter and colder markets	Spring, autumn and year-round casualwear
Common Products	Hoodies, sweatshirts, jackets, joggers, blankets and robes	Hoodies, sweatshirts, joggers, shorts and loungewear

How to Choose Fleece Fabric GSM

GSM affects warmth, body, drape and sewing bulk. For fleece, heavier does not always mean better. A 600gsm teddy fleece may be excellent for a blanket or outerwear piece, but it can be too bulky for a regular hoodie. A 300gsm cotton polyester fleece may be much more practical for sweatshirt programs.

Before confirming GSM, buyers should think about the garment construction. Hood seams, zipper areas, pockets, cuffs and hems can all become bulky when the fleece is too thick.

GSM Range	Fabric Direction	Suitable Products
160–220gsm	Lightweight fleece with softer drape and easier layering	Kidswear, liners, pullovers, light jackets, soft tops and transitional layers
250–320gsm	Midweight fleece with balanced warmth and body	Hoodies, sweatshirts, joggers, casual sets and daily winter basics
350–450gsm	Heavy fleece with stronger warmth and structure	Heavy hoodies, jackets, robes, seasonal pullovers and cold-weather casualwear
500–600gsm	Extra heavy plush or teddy fleece direction	Teddy jackets, blankets, kids outerwear, robes and cozy winter products

Choosing Fleece Fabric by Composition

Composition changes hand feel, warmth, shrinkage, stability, care performance and cost. Cotton fleece gives a more natural sweatshirt feel. Polyester fleece is commonly used for polar fleece and teddy fleece. Cotton polyester or CVC fleece is often a practical middle option for commercial casualwear.

100% Cotton Fleece	Natural hand feel for sweatshirts, hoodies, joggers and casual knitwear. Shrinkage should be checked before bulk.
Cotton Polyester Fleece	Balanced option for hoodies, sweatshirts and commercial casualwear where hand feel, stability and cost all matter.
CVC Fleece	Cotton-rich blend with practical stability, suitable for sweatshirt programs, casual sets and repeat production.
100% Polyester Polar Fleece	Useful for jackets, liners, pullovers, kidswear and blankets where soft warmth and easy care are important.
100% Polyester Teddy Fleece	Thick plush direction for jackets, blankets, kids outerwear, robes and cozy winter garments.
Heather Fleece	Useful when buyers want a mélange or casual sweatshirt look for hoodies, sweatshirts and joggers.

Brushing Effect: A Small Detail That Changes the Garment

For sweatshirt fleece, brushing is one of the most important details. The face side may look clean, but the inside brushing decides how warm and soft the garment feels. The brushing level can also affect thickness, pilling, shedding and sewing bulk.

If the buyer has a reference garment, it is better to send it or share clear photos of the inside surface. Words like “soft fleece” or “warm fleece” are too broad. Light brushing and heavy brushing can feel very different in the final garment.

Brushing Side	Confirm whether the fleece is brushed inside only, outside only or on both sides.
Brushing Level	Light brushing feels cleaner, while heavy brushing gives more softness and warmth.
Shedding	Check loose fibres, especially for dark colours, heavy brushing and plush fleece qualities.
Pilling	Important for hoodies, joggers, blankets and garments with repeated rubbing.
Sewing Bulk	Heavy fleece can become bulky at hood seams, pockets, cuffs, hems and zipper areas.

Towin Fleece Fabric Options

Towin Textile supplies fleece fabric for hoodies, sweatshirts, jackets, joggers, kidswear, blankets, robes and winter casualwear. Below are current fleece directions buyers can use as a starting point for sourcing.

Fleece Fabric Collection	Main category page for cotton fleece, polar fleece, teddy fleece, heather fleece, brushed fleece and CVC fleece options.
210gsm 100% Polyester Fleece	Heather grey single-side fleece for lightweight hoodies, jackets and layering pieces.
300gsm 50% Cotton 50% Polyester Fleece	Balanced cotton polyester fleece for hoodies, sweatshirts and commercial casualwear programs.
270gsm 100% Cotton Brushed Fleece	Brushed cotton fleece with a clean face and warm inner side for sweatshirts and casual knitwear.
300gsm 100% Polyester Double-Sided Polar Fleece	Soft double-sided polar fleece for outerwear, warm pullovers and cozy winter products.
160gsm 100% Polyester Polar Fleece	Lightweight polar fleece for kidswear, liners, pullovers and casual outer layers.
600gsm 100% Polyester Teddy Fleece	Heavy plush teddy fleece for jackets, kids outerwear, blankets, robes and cold-weather products.

Fleece for Hoodies, Jackets and Blankets

The right fleece depends heavily on the product. A hoodie needs enough body but should not be too bulky at the hood, cuff, hem or pocket. A jacket can accept more structure. A blanket or robe can use thicker plush fleece because fit and seam movement are less strict than apparel.

Product Type	Suggested Direction	Main Reason
Hoodies and Sweatshirts	250–320gsm cotton, CVC or cotton polyester brushed fleece	Balanced warmth, soft inside and practical sewing for casualwear.
Joggers and Sweatpants	Midweight cotton polyester or cotton fleece	Comfortable hand feel with enough body for bottoms.
Jackets and Pullovers	Polar fleece, heavier fleece or teddy fleece	Stronger warmth and cold-weather appearance.
Kidswear	Light to midweight polar fleece or soft brushed fleece	Warm but not too heavy for children’s garments.
Blankets and Robes	Polar fleece or teddy fleece	Plush touch and warmth matter more than garment fit.

Quality Checkpoints Before Bulk Production

Fleece should be checked carefully before bulk because brushing, pile height, fabric weight and shrinkage can all affect the finished garment. For hoodies and jackets, the fabric also needs to be tested in actual sewing areas.

Hand Feel	Check whether the fleece feels soft enough for the intended product and market level.
Warmth and Thickness	Confirm whether the GSM and brushing level match the season and garment purpose.
Shrinkage	Important for cotton-rich fleece and sweatshirt fleece before garment cutting.
Pilling and Shedding	Important for brushed fleece, polar fleece, teddy fleece and dark colours.
Colourfastness	Important for hoodies, kidswear, blankets and garments that will be washed often.
Sewing Bulk	Check hood seams, zipper areas, cuffs, hems, pockets and thick joining points.
Cutting Direction	For plush fleece and teddy fleece, pile direction should be controlled during cutting.

Stock Fleece vs Custom Fleece Development

For early sampling, stock fleece is usually the safer starting point. It allows buyers to check hand feel, thickness, brushing, warmth and garment suitability before committing to custom dyeing or special finishing.

Custom fleece is better when the buyer needs a specific colour, weight, brushing level, composition, surface effect or repeat bulk program. Since fleece can change after brushing and finishing, a reference garment or physical fabric swatch is very helpful when the hand feel needs to match closely.

Option	Best For	Buyer Should Confirm
Stock Fleece	Fast sampling, small yardage, early garment review and quick fabric selection	Available colour, quantity, width, GSM, brushing effect and repeat availability
Custom Fleece	Pantone colours, special brushing, exact composition, repeat bulk programs and matching garment requirements	MOQ, lab dip lead time, brushing effect, bulk lead time, shrinkage and testing requirement

Fleece Fabric Development Process

A clear development process helps avoid choosing fleece that looks good as a swatch but becomes too bulky, too warm or unstable in garment production. The fabric should always be reviewed together with the garment construction.

Step 1	Confirm the target product, such as hoodie, sweatshirt, jogger, jacket, liner, blanket, robe or kidswear.
Step 2	Confirm fleece type, such as cotton fleece, brushed fleece, polar fleece, teddy fleece or CVC fleece.
Step 3	Confirm composition, GSM, width, brushing direction, hand feel and colour requirement.
Step 4	Review stock swatches or arrange lab dip and custom development if required.
Step 5	Test fabric in actual garment areas, especially seams, hood, zipper, cuffs, pockets and hems.
Step 6	Confirm bulk route, including colour approval, brushing standard, quantity, testing requirement and delivery schedule.

Fleece Fabric Buying Checklist

Before asking for a fleece quote, buyers should give clear product information. A request that only says “fleece fabric” is too broad because fleece can mean anything from lightweight polar fleece to very heavy teddy fleece.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fleece Fabric

What is fleece fabric mainly used for?

Fleece fabric is mainly used for hoodies, sweatshirts, joggers, jackets, pullovers, kidswear, blankets, robes and winter casualwear.

What is the difference between fleece and French terry?

French terry usually has a looped reverse side, while fleece is brushed or raised to create a warmer and softer surface. Fleece is usually more suitable for colder-weather garments.

What GSM fleece is suitable for hoodies?

Many hoodie programs use fleece around 250gsm to 320gsm, depending on warmth, garment shape and target season. Heavier fleece can be used for more structured or winter styles, but sewing bulk should be checked.

Is polar fleece suitable for jackets?

Yes. Polar fleece is often used for jackets, liners, pullovers, kidswear and winter layers because it gives soft warmth with practical easy-care properties.

Is teddy fleece too heavy for hoodies?

It depends on the weight and design. Heavy teddy fleece is usually better for jackets, robes, blankets and outerwear-style garments. For regular hoodies, midweight sweatshirt fleece is usually easier to sew and wear.

Can Towin supply custom fleece fabric?

Yes. Towin Textile can support fleece fabric sourcing, swatches, custom colours and bulk production based on composition, GSM, brushing effect, surface direction, colour and final product use.

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