In every autumn and winter, there will definitely be a place for “velvet” in the cold-warming army. The comprehensive performance of lightness, softness and good warmth retention makes various fleece materials become everyone’s choice for outerwear or inner wear.

However, there are many velvet materials on the market. In addition to natural fabrics like cashmere, there are also many velvet materials that are often confused by people, such as lambswool, polar fleece and fleece. .

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In terms of functional characteristics, the performance of the three of them is almost the same, and in appearance, they are also often “pretentious” existences.

Are lambswool, polar fleece and fleece the same thing? If not, what’s the difference between them and how to distinguish them?

Sheep wool, polar fleece, and fleece are the same thing?

In fact, whether it is lambswool, polar fleece or fleece, they are essentially artificial plush fabrics, which is reflected in English.

If you search for the translation of one of the above words, the word “fleece” will pop up without exception. It is also the general English name for plush products from major brands that we usually see, like fleece. A fleece jacket is called a “fleece jacket.”

Generally speaking, they are different from natural wool and are mostly made of chemical fibers such as polyester, acrylic, and polyester, which means that they will also have all the functional properties such as resistance to deformation, drainage, and breathability. absorb.

• Sheep ≠ cashmere

For example, if If you are careful, you will definitely find that the lambskin products of brands such as Uniqlo will add the word “imitation” in front of their names, calling them “imitation lambswool”.

Just like there is no wife in the wife cake, and there is no pineapple in the pineapple bun, most of the lambswool products on the market do not contain wool/cashmere ingredients.

As the name suggests, this kind of velvet material is not a real natural wool velvet, but an artificial product with a texture like virgin cashmere. The two properties are completely different.

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After all, cashmere is a thin layer of fine velvet that only exists at the roots of the coarse hairs on the epidermis of goats. Wool is much finer, its rare quantity and excellent fiber properties have given it the title of “soft gold”, and its price has certainly risen.

The emergence of imitation sherpa allows the wearer to feel the warmth comparable to high-weight wool with a lighter body feel.

Relatively low price, excellent functionality, unparalleled soft touch, and daily care is much less troublesome than wool and cashmere products. It is not difficult to understand why they can be used as flat products for wool and cashmere. It is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people as an alternative or cost-effective cold-proof product.

It is worth mentioning that in production terms, imitation sherpa is also called “polyester sherpa” or simply “sherpa”, which refers to white Sherpa. It’s good for everyone to know about it, so they won’t be confused when they encounter it.

Of course, there are indeed “pineapple buns with pineapple filling” on the market. A few brands will launch lambswool products with wool, cashmere blends or even all-wool ingredients, but they are only a minority. Here are I won’t go into details.

I just remind everyone to be careful when choosing, and check whether the ingredients marked on the washing water label inside the so-called “lamb wool” clothes match the description, so as to avoid being deceived.

• The difference between the three

Having said that, the reason why There are differences in Chinese translation between them, mainly due to domestic names derived from different weaving methods.

First of all, lambswool and polar fleece are both types of fleece. Lambswool is woven by high-speed warp knitting machines, while polar fleece is woven by circular knitting machines.

Although they have to go through various processes such as dyeing, napping, carding, and shearing after being woven into gray fabrics, polar fleece requires more polarizing finishing processes than lambswool and ordinary fleece. The fluff will be more fluffy and dense and less prone to shedding and pilling. The nap on the reverse side will be sparse and even, and the fluffy elasticity will be very good.

Imitation sherpa jacket

Polar fleece jacket

When it comes to polar fleece, it is none other than Malden Mills Industries from the United States (now reorganized for Polartec) products.

As early as the 1980s, Malden Mills Industries and Patagonia, a well-known outdoor brand, jointly developed a new cold-resistant polar fleece fabric called “Synchilla”.

Although Synchilla® is an outdoor product that emphasizes warmth, it is different from previous products.0230103/1-230103204324458.jpg” class=”syl-page-img” style=”height: auto;”/>

It can not only be dismantled one by one Divided and evolved into sleeves, vests and other forms, providing a wider range of matching scenarios; the stitching that contrasts sharply with the body in appearance, as well as the sherpa collar, cuffs and hem, also create a richer look than the traditional B3 jacket The details and texture are exquisite.

With the left chest pocket, mesh bags on both sides of the inside and the back-type design, it is enough to cover most of the portable & storage needs for daily travel.

via MEANSWHILE

• BEAMS PLUS

As we all know, BEAMS PLUS, which was born in 1999, is a fan of Ivy style. One of them is quite good at depicting the American retro style of the “golden age” in the middle of the last century.

But different from simple and crude copying and restoration, BEAMS PLUS is more willing to incorporate thoughtful creative elements, aiming to In creating classic clothing that fits the aesthetics of the times and truly belongs to the future.

via BEAMS PLUS

In the 2020 autumn and winter series, BEAMS PLUS continues the previous spring and summer “Swingman” The theme explores the balance between classic Preppy style and trends through four aspects: workwear, military uniforms, sports casual and gentleman clothing.

There is a polar fleece cardigan decorated with python stripes It just suits my taste. It is available in black and white and brown and white colors. It is made of 100% polyester fabric and has contrasting threads sewn on the placket, collar, cuffs and hem to outline a striking silhouette.

via BEAMS PLUS

The overall design continues the classic short tailoring of the 1960s, which is neat and elegant. It can be paired with flannel/wool trousers to create an elegant and casual look. The urban gentleman style; it can be worn with casual trousers such as khakis and jeans to complete the American retro styling concept.

Whether worn alone or as a mid-level layer, the striped design of different thicknesses is enough to make You become the most handsome boy/uncle on the street!

• KITH

The streets of New York hosted by Ronnie Fied Brand KITH has always had its own unique aesthetics in the use of color.

For example, this polar fleece half-cardigan jacket from this year’s autumn and winter series still plays with the collision of color blocks. The polar fleece is dyed to outline an artistic snow mountain pattern. With the addition of a 3D embroidered LOGO on the chest to indicate identity, the overall visual effect is impressive.

via KITH

Considering that it is made of 100% polyester fiber, it can be used as a mid-layer warm inner layer in winter looks, with a slightly looser layer on top. With a plain coat or other plain coat, you can use the partially exposed contrasting color blocks to create highlights.

via KITH

• NEEDLES

NEEDLES, known for its NEW VINTAGE style, is far and away It’s not just the velvet sweatpants that became an overnight sensation thanks to celebrities such as A$AP ROCKY, or the spliced ​​and reconstructed shirts from the rebuild by Needles line.

The yuppie atmosphere of elegance and street style has long become NEEDLES’s iconic design language, which runs through each season’s series of items.

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Following the previously launched tiger print camouflage series of sportswear, 20FW also released fleece Made of V-neck zipper jacket and drawstring casual pants.

The larger V-zone of the V-neck jacket is very friendly to creating layers on the chest, and can be easily worn like a cardigan; the cut is relatively thinner and more fitted than polar fleece and sherpa, ensuring that It won’t look too bulky when worn with a jacket.

via nepentheslondon

The trousers are still a classic slim cut, and the slightly flared design of the trousers completely fits the elegant look. If you want to look like a gamer, pairing it with exquisite leather shoes/boots will be more suitable.