Gransnet forums

Style & beauty

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!

Deedaa Sun 03-Jul-16 21:23:53

Not my favourite garment, I look like a sack of potatoes if I wear one. I sometimes borrow an old one of DH's if I want something for gardening.

Jalima Sun 03-Jul-16 21:08:56

DH loves his too Katek, I have to threaten to cut them up in early summer or he would never go out without one except on a boiling hot day!

Jalima Sun 03-Jul-16 21:07:43

I have some fleeces; the older ones are relegated to wearing in the garden in the winter.
The better ones are good for winter walks, strolling on the beach in cold weather etc.
M&S used to sell fleeces made out of recycled plastic milk bottles hmm

thatbags Sun 03-Jul-16 20:48:15

A lot of dressing gowns are made of fleece, and onesies, and blankets, and and and....

Earth is doomed! Doomed, I tell you!

Katek Sun 03-Jul-16 20:42:34

A couple of fleeces are fine if you live here with the winter wind whipping in from the North Sea, the wind chill factor here is significant. What I have a problem with is my own personal fleece king...aka DH. He loves them, has at least 12 in various colours, some are micro fleece, others ordinary fleece. He haunts outdoor shops when they have a sale looking for a bargain Berghaus, Rohan or Patagonia! He justifies buying them by saying that he feels the cold more because of his blood thinners. Maybe so but does he need as many?!?

glammanana Sun 03-Jul-16 20:28:11

With all the washing programmes that take place every week in thousands of homes across the Country surely polyester fibres are released from more than just fleeces.
I love my fleeces I have them in 4 colours I also get very large ones out in winter to cosy up to on the sofa's in the lounge and across the bottom of my bed so a certain little dog is nice and cosy.

grannyqueenie Sun 03-Jul-16 20:24:20

Me too Jane10, various styles colours and weights and used for all the things roses mentions and more. Those who pour scorn on them maybe live in warmer climes than Yorkshire, never go for a decent walk and probably wouldn't wear a pair of trainers or walking boots either! Each to their own, it wouldn't suit me but then I'm no fashionista!

Jane10 Sun 03-Jul-16 20:09:57

I love my fleeces. I have 4 including my leopard skin one. Can filters catch the microscopic particles?

rosesarered Sun 03-Jul-16 19:43:24

I won't have a bad word said about fleeces! Wonderful things.I always take one with me for hanging about in airports waiting for the flight, very cosy and light, and on the plane it rolls up into a pillow for a snooze, or is spread out as a blanket ( also for a snooze)zzzzzzzz

Welshwife Sun 03-Jul-16 19:41:13

Tricia I bought a light grey one a couple of weeks ago - they are lovely to wear. We got ours to keep in the car so we are not caught out.

rosesarered Sun 03-Jul-16 19:40:32

Titfer?

rosesarered Sun 03-Jul-16 19:40:08

grin I hate to think!

Ana Sun 03-Jul-16 19:34:51

'Tweed and tit'? What's that? grin

Alima Sun 03-Jul-16 19:31:46

Would far rather be enveloped in my winter fleeces than join the tweed and tit brigade.

TriciaF Sun 03-Jul-16 18:19:54

I've just bought 2 of these:
www.decathlon.fr/polaire-forclaz-200-femme-id_8226650.html
Cheap, cosy and quite smart, I think anyway.

Leticia Sun 03-Jul-16 17:46:27

If you live in a town and never go walking etc then you don't need one!

Leticia Sun 03-Jul-16 17:45:19

I am surprised that you are expected to wear flattering or exciting garments when half way up a mountain - or maybe Gransnet doesn't think women over 50yrs should be having adventures! It serves the purpose so who cares if it is boring?

I think if you are choosing a garment for walking, camping etc then flattering is way down the list.

However I was horrified by the effect in marine life so shall have to rethink.

That is a worry and a reason not to buy them- the style thing is utter rubbish. The one thing about being over 50 is that you can have the confidence to ignore style gurus and wear the practical.

thatbags Sun 03-Jul-16 17:41:47

Ah! Thank you, teetime. The microbeads are something else.

thatbags Sun 03-Jul-16 17:40:55

They are not as warm as wool but they sure do dry quickly. And they're light.

I have never heard of any environmental damage done by microscopic polyester fibres. Has anyone?

Besides which they come from (are made of) something organic so I reckon the organic world can cope with them. Might take a bit longer than wool and animal hair because of the processing. Remember that bacterium that has been discovered recently, eating plastic.

Teetime Sun 03-Jul-16 17:40:12

I saw the article you mention, yesterday it was microbeads in face scrubs. I have a couple of micrfleeces especially designed for golf but they are not at all flattering but better than freezing.

mumofmadboys Sun 03-Jul-16 17:39:15

They are so comfy and wash easily. Love them!

ninathenana Sun 03-Jul-16 17:35:22

I hate driving in a coat. I chuck my fleece on to go pick up H or S. Very handy items

granjura Sun 03-Jul-16 17:25:02

Same here- I have several- living up in t'mountains.

merlotgran Sun 03-Jul-16 17:17:50

I wouldn't be without mine.

Ana Sun 03-Jul-16 17:12:39

Yes, keep it under cover and never wash it...sorted! grin