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A rant against fleeces!

(130 Posts)
hapgran Sun 03-Jul-16 17:05:04

I have always thought the fleece to be the most unflattering and boring garment known to woman (and man). I was therefore delighted to see on Gransnet, in the' What not to wear over 50' section, that fleeces were mentioned as a definite 'no'. What's more, in my paper today, I read that they are a threat to marine life because every time one is washed 2,000 polyester fibres are released into the environment. I rest my case!

Blinko Tue 05-Jul-16 10:52:53

We are ramblers, so fleeces are a must. Depends how much outdoor stuff you do, surely. And as others have said, indoors too, to save on heating bills. Obviously not to somewhere smart, like the theatre, or a wedding.....grin

HannahLoisLuke Tue 05-Jul-16 10:41:12

I saw the article about the damage to marine life caused by fleeces. They are made using recycled plastic bottles etc and the washing process removes some of the plastic which then enters the water system. Same goes for microbeads in cleansers, toothpastes etc.
I agree that fleeces are warm and practical but I'm now thinking perhaps we shouldn't use them, or just don't wash them!

BlueBelle Tue 05-Jul-16 10:27:59

Love my fleece what else is there? cardi or twinset and pearls ? I live by the North Sea and have no central heating a fleece is perfect Wouldn't go to the theatre in one but great for every day winter wear

GrandmaMoira Tue 05-Jul-16 10:27:12

I think cropped trousers are far more unflattering, especially the wide legged ones which make everyone look short and overweight. Nearly as unflattering are leggings with a short top on older women.

cc Tue 05-Jul-16 10:24:40

Yes Katek my husband is also a fleece king and is rarely without one. I find it brings out the toddler in him - difficult to persuade him to part with it for long enough for me to wash it, so now have bought 5 identical garments in the sales and substitute a clean one as often as I get the chance.
Personally I hate them - did try one once but found it very hot.

dirgni Tue 05-Jul-16 10:24:14

I'm always cold so love to wear my fleeces around the house and garden,but would never wear it out!??

Jalima Tue 05-Jul-16 10:19:33

What happens to them when they are thrown out - they certainly won't rot on the compost heap like an old Harris tweed jacket or pure wool cardie hmm
Will they be recycled into yet more fleeces or end up in landfill?

freyaandcharliesgrandma Tue 05-Jul-16 10:17:18

I have a fleece waistcoat that fits inside a fake Barbour. It is made of recycled coke bottles. Does this cancel out the eco damage of the fibres?

M0nica Tue 05-Jul-16 10:16:31

There has been a lot in the papers over the last two or three days about the damage the micro fibres released when fleeces are washed is causing to fish and other sea life.

I admit to having a couple of fleeces. They are practical as an extra layer for keeping warm outside in really cold weather when you need to be active.

I do see many people out and about in town in fleeces and, as a rule, I think they look very frumpy. In winter I wear either an old fashioned fabric winter coat or a quilted coat.

peaceatlast Tue 05-Jul-16 10:16:27

It's only an item of clothing. What I wear doesn't define me. I wear whatever I fancy as appropriate at the time and I always will. Age isn't a barrier to what one wants to wear.

Angela1961 Tue 05-Jul-16 10:07:43

Live in Cumbria - Walk the fells - When Raining wear waterproof - when chilly wear fleeces - nuff said !!

Mirandaf55 Tue 05-Jul-16 10:03:24

I have two jacket/blazer style fleeces which I got from Lands End - smart, big warm collars, lovely soft colours. Every time I wear one, I get a compliment and/or asked where I got itsmile kinder round the hips too, no knitted ribbing to pull it in round my tummy!

Mumsy Tue 05-Jul-16 09:22:23

I find fleeces cheap light and comfy I have a thin navy one and a thick bright pink one,

Greyduster Tue 05-Jul-16 09:02:40

I wear fleeces a lot. They are like my second skin! I was grateful for them at the weekend when we were walking the Norfolk marshes where the wind was very keen. Light enough to roll up small and stick in a rucksack. Indispensable. I currently have eight in various types. I also wear lambswool crew neck sweaters, but they're not as useful or as comfortable.

Nana3 Mon 04-Jul-16 23:03:15

About 3/4 years ago I vowed never to wear a fleece again unless I was out walking. I have started wearing my best clothes everyday instead and feel better for it.

Teetime Mon 04-Jul-16 22:30:41

Would love to go on the antique programme where they buy things and then sell at auction but I wouldnt want to wear one of those big baggy fleeces they give the contestants

annodomini Mon 04-Jul-16 18:22:52

I have several fleeces in different colours, though I don't wear them on social occasions. It's good to change into a fleece and jogging bottoms when I come in on a cold day and slip into one first thing in the morning before the heating kicks in. The youngsters don't appear to wear them. My oldest GC was never without hers when she was 10 or 11, but I am sure she would never be seen in a fleece at the age of 24 and I don't think the 13-year-old possesses one.

mrsmopp Mon 04-Jul-16 17:38:11

I wear a fleece which closely resembles sheepskin but was a fraction of the price, is equally warm, cosy and stylish and more importantly, no animals were skinned in the making of it.
We don't wash them as often as you might think - compared to a winter coat- how often do you take your coat to be dry cleaned?
Fleeces are hugely practical for children too as they stand up to all the rough and tumble,
I suspect the OP is outnumbered on this one...

Indinana Mon 04-Jul-16 17:23:59

That's the article I read this morning Elegran. It's dated October 2014. Then I found this one which talks of a Southampton University study, with no mention of Mark Browne whatsoever. Was all his research and hard work hijacked, I wonder? Wouldn't be the first time someone takes the credit for another's work...

Elegran Mon 04-Jul-16 15:49:14

Then thought I'd look for problems with microfibres.

Someone is studying these, and it seems they appear to another potrntial disaster. Mark Browne finds 85% of the human-made material found on the shoreline were microfibers, and matched the types of material, such as nylon and acrylic, used in clothing.

Elegran Mon 04-Jul-16 15:44:19

I have done a Google for microbeads, and found that they are indeed in lots of cosmetics, and are too small to be caught by most filters so they just go down the drain into the ocean, but that you can filter them out of your shower gel etc with a coffee filter.
"What you need to know about microbeads" (with pics) President Obama has recently signed a law banning them.

NanKate Mon 04-Jul-16 15:08:25

What colour fleece do you want, because I have for it ? grin

I am wearing a fetching dark lilac one at present.

Jalima Mon 04-Jul-16 15:00:27

Oh
I must have been 'working' not 'resting between acting jobs'
grin

breeze Mon 04-Jul-16 14:57:24

Search me! (no don't, you'll find the evidence!). Has she disappeared? Used to do some daytime tv thing I believe.

Jalima Mon 04-Jul-16 14:40:35

Who's Trisha?