Warmer Wear

Warmer Wear
The fleecing of corporate America can be a good thing

Although distributors may worry that several mill closures over the past year could make it harder to find the right fleece product for their clients, fear not--there are still plenty of options out there to warm up to.

As fleece continues to make its way into the corporate marketplace, buyers are moving beyond the standard solid, basic crew neck sweatshirts and looking for something with style and sophistication. However, don't discount the appeal of function, durability and price of a good-quality crew.

Many corporate buyers are seizing on new opportunities to make cozy fleece a part of their daily fall and winter office wardrobes.

no 'brrr" with burber

Keep the chill away with a burber fleece pullover from Most Wanted. The pullover, available from Atlantic Coast Cotton, is constructed of heavyweight 60 percent acrylic/40 percent poly blend.

The long-sleeve pullover features a cadet collar, quarter-zip front, detailing and toggle at hem and comes in sizes small-2XL.

Color options are cashmere, hunter and black heather. A burber full-zip vest in the same color and size choices is also available.

French connection

A classic French terry from Boundary Line is made of heavyweight, 100 percent pure cotton. Then it is garment dyed for supreme softness that feels great against the skin.

The 10-ounce henley features a three-button placket and ribbing on the cuffs and bottom band. Color choices are white, natural, jute, soft yellow, cantaloupe, cilantro, grape slush, H2O, storm blue, indigo, oliver, spruce, blackberry and black.

The pullover comes in unisex sizes small-2XL.

fight the chill

The Tahoe style sweatshirt from Hartwell comes in bright colors to doubly fight off that winter pall.

The sweatshirt is made of Polartec® 200 polyester non-pilling fleece and features a full-front zipper, set-in sleeves, elastic cuffs, front zipper pockets and bottom band.

The sweatshirt is machine washable and comes in sizes small-3XL. Color choices are navy, khaki, black, balsam, charcoal and red.

A full-zip vest version, called the Mountaineer, is also available.

a touch of suede

The North End® All Climate Wear, full-zip fleece vest from Ash City lends elegance to a sporty garment with imitation suede details on the outside collar, pocket welts and zipper pull.

The vest features the EZEM™system, which allows easy access to embroider various locations on the outside, leaving the inside clean and intact.

Sizes range from extra small to 3X, and color choices are black/tan, alpine green/tan. bronze/black, heather charcoal/black, midnight navy/tan, and putty/black.

on the nail

The Vantage nailhead stripe zip-neck fleece, Style 3130, is made from 55 percent cotton/45 percent polyester, 9-ounce nailhead fleece.

It features a stand-up, quarter-zip front with antique-like metal zipper, a locker patch, matching rib knit trim and on-seam pockets. Style 3130 is imported and available in khaki/black and charcoal/oatmeal, and in sizes small-3XL.

All Vantage products are available blank or with custom embroidery.

drawn to it

Make a statement with Lee® Casualwear's microfleece pullover. The 7-ounce, 100 percent polyester non-pilling crew has a quarter-zip neck with a heavyweight nylon zipper.

It also features a double-needle hemmed open bottom with an elastic drawcord and cordlock, double-needle sleeve openings and coverseamed armholes.

Color choices are sandalwood, black, black forest and navy. Sizes range from medium to 2XL.

one of the crew

This 7.5 ounce crew sweatshirt from Gildan is a great idea for identifying your customer's employees when doing outdoor activities and team-building exercises in the cool fall weather.

The 90 percent cotton/10 polyester fleece crew is durable and comfortable, offering a relaxed fit and set-in sleeves. The collar is double stitched and the sweatshirt features 2x1 Lycra ribbing.

Color choices are white, navy, ash, forest green, black, red, royal blue, natural, sport gray, jade dome and helonica. Sizes range from medium to 3XL.

hats off

There's no need to remember to bring along a hat when you've got this mid-weight Hanes hooded pullover sweatshirt, available from Kay's Enterprises.

The comfort-blended, 7.9-ounced hooded fleece sweatshirt is made of 50 percent cotton/50 percent polyester PrintPro fabric. It features set-in sleeves and proportionally sized hood with bar-tacked drawstring and pouch pockets.

Adult sizes range from medium to 2XL. Color choices are white, ash, black, navy, cardinal and forest green.

crossing boundaries

The new Boundary Fleece jacket from California Outerwear is made of 100 percent polyester with 14.5-ounce, no pill, soft, brushed construction.

The jacket, in a longer 5/8 length, features a full-front, heavy-duty nylon zipper, with a zip-through stand-up collar. The jacket contains two outside mesh lined zip-close pockets, an inside bottom draw cord, and elastic at the cuffs.

It is union made in the United States of imported fabric and is machine washable.

button it up

The box collar sweatshirt from Page & Tuttle is a classic golf style constructed of 80 percent cotton/20 percent polyester heavyweight fleece with solid rib and Lycra cuffs and bottom band.

The solid knit welt box collar and reinforced placket has three horntone buttons. The sweatshirt also includes a self-fabric half-moon feature, front drop shoulder and cover stitch detailing throughout.

Sizes range from small to 2XL and color choices are black, gray heather, natural, navy, sage and straw.

beautiful button-up

Ladies can find both comfort and style with this four-button Jerzees cardigan from Carolina Made. The cardigan, style 773mp, features a 7.5-ounce, 50 percent cotton/50 percent polyester blend with coverseamed waistband, rib trim, patch pockets and four matching colored buttons.

One size fits all in most colors: white, birch, jet black, natural, true navy and true red.