If you've ever owned a fleece jacket or pullover, you probably cherish it as one of your favorite go-to pieces. Fleece comes in a rainbow of colors and is used for everything from coats and hats to mittens, scarves and blankets. Even though fleece feels soft and comfortable, it's also a durable material that won't fray or pill. If you adore fleece, you're not alone. Here are six amazing reasons that your fleece apparel is here to stay.

1. Fashionable and Attractive

Fleece fabric comes in so many colors and patterns that it's fashionable and attractive for any occasion. Fleece is perfect for brightly-colored hiking jackets, or in darker hues appropriate for the workplace. Many styles of fleece are adorned with logos and fit in with today's top fashion. It's suitable for men, women and children of all ages. It's also great for layering over a shirt or hoodie, or worn as a vest. With all the vibrant color options you can find in fleece, it's also a dream come true for crafters and those that sew their own clothing.

2. Good For Every Season

There's no question about the warmth of fleece, making it an essential piece for wintertime. However, you can wear fleece during any season of the year. It's perfect for those chilly fall days or during the springtime when you never know what the weather will do. Fleece is a great material to safely shovel snow in as it keeps you warm without getting wet. A lightweight fleece coat is also the perfect item to take along on a summertime outing for cool evenings.

3. Easy Storage and Care

Another reason fleece is so popular is that it's a snap to care for. To wash your fleece apparel, simply turn articles inside out and wash in cool water. You can either dry them on a no-heat setting or hang them up to dry. Use a mild detergent and skip the fabric softener when washing fleece. If you have a heavy fleece coat that you want to store during the off-season, a good option is a vacuum-sealed bag to keep away moths and keep it fresh for the following year.

4. Soft and Comfortable

You'd be hard-pressed to find a fabric that's softer or more comfortable than fleece. Due to fleece's double-sided construction, it's fluffy on both the inside and the outside. That makes it perfect for both clothing and blankets. The fibers that form fleece are tightly knit and this helps seal in body heat, making it feel even more luxurious.

Fleece also comes in plush, polar and micro versions which are different in thickness. Plush is thicker and is commonly used for blankets, while polar is thinner and used for jackets and pants. Microfleece is the slimmest, but is still incredibly soft and warm.

5. Moisture-Resistant

Although fleece isn't waterproof, it has remained a popular material because of its ability to wick moisture away from the body. When you wear fleece for hiking or working outside, you stay warm and dry. If your fleece does get wet from rain, it dries quickly. This makes it the perfect garment for camping, walking the dog or doing yard work. In addition to resisting moisture, fleece is also lightweight which makes outdoor activities even more enjoyable. 

6. Versatile Textures

Much like different thicknesses, fleece also comes in a variety of textures, giving each piece a different look and feel. For example, sherpa fleece is made to look like a sheep's coat and is used to line jackets and blankets. Polyester fleece is smooth and shiny on one side, yet plush on the inside. Slub fleece is yet another material that uses two different size yarns giving the fabric a more texturized look.

Conclusion

If you're crazy about fleece, rest assured that the material you love is here to stay. Because of its soft texture, moisture resistance and easy care, fleece apparel and blankets will always be in good taste.