How top designers sent them down the catwalk at LFW, how the fleece became fashionable

By Camilla Ridley-day for The Daily Mail

Published: 3:07 PM EST, February 21, 2024 | Updated: 3:08 PM EST, February 21, 2024

The fact that fleeces are cozy and functional will come as no surprise to the dog walkers among us. But fashionable? There isn't a word that comes to mind when I think of the one my father has worn for the past twenty years.

Yet somehow this simple jacket has made the transition from the dog walk to the runway. Yes, fleeces are having a fashion moment.

During London Fashion Week in recent days, Burberry and Chloe were among those to send a fleece-clad model down the catwalk.

Actress Florence Pugh even wore one with open-toed boots, mini skirt and oversized sunglasses at the recent Paris Couture Week, a move that, admittedly, raised a few perfectly plucked eyebrows – even though the oversized white fleece in question cost £890. issue from the French brand Patou, owned by fashion giant LVMH.

She's not the only A-list fan; Sienna Miller, Taylor Swift and model Kaia Gerber have all been seen in fleece in recent weeks. And now the trend is trickling down to the high street, with John Lewis reporting that searches for oversized fleeces have increased fifteenfold year on year.

Actress Florence Pugh even wore a fleece from French brand Patou with open-toed boots, a miniskirt and oversized sunglasses at the recent Paris Couture Week

Chloe's Fall/Winter 2023 show at Paris Fashion Week featured a model wearing a cream fleece paired with a brown leather midi and knee-high boots

Meanwhile, M&S's colorful Cropped Borg Print Fleece Jacket (£45) has been flying off the shelves since its launch last month.

The fashion crowd prefers to call it “borg,” perhaps realizing that it's quite a leap for many of us to separate the word “fleece” from the image of a pair of dad sneakers and an invigorating walk.

But while the growing popularity of the so-called 'quiet outdoors' trend (think stealth riches' love for tasteful neutrals and the great outdoors) means more and more of us are willing to complement our casual wear with a fleece, let Florence and co see that a fleece does not need to be dressed.

Chloe's voluminous cream fleece – an eye-watering £3,680 – was gathered around the waist and worn with a caramel leather skirt, proving you don't have to don a camel coat to be chic and warm.

Sweaty Betty has a range of soft-coloured neutral options from £45, while Baukjen's white fleece with black pocket costs £139.

Meanwhile, North Face's Cragmont style, £62, which comes in multiple colours, offers a more elegant jacket style with quilting and buttons.

Burberry's autumn/winter 2024 show at London Fashion Week featured an olive green fleece with three leather and silver buckles

The Burberry show also featured a jacket with a fleece lining in the British brand's signature check

Admittedly, polyester fleece is not the most environmentally friendly choice.

However, there are recycled options, like an £89.99 Adidas animal print number that Taylor Swift wore in New York last month, so you can get cozy with a clear conscience.

SHOP THE TREND NOW…