Vintage Fleece Jacket: Patagonia, The North Face & Columbia Compared
As soon as it gets cold, there is one piece that makes sense in every vintage wardrobe: the vintage fleece jacket. Warm, lightweight, durable – and simply unbeatable in the colors of the 90s. But which brand is right for you? We compare the three classics: Patagonia, The North Face and Columbia.
Why vintage fleece?
Fleece became popular in the early 80s when Polartec brought a lightweight, warm alternative to wool to market. Outdoor brands turned it into an icon. Vintage fleece jackets score today with bold color combinations that are hardly found new anymore, and with a quality that still keeps you warm after 30 years.
Patagonia: The collector's favorite
Patagonia was founded in 1973 by Yvon Chouinard. It is especially famous for its Synchilla fleece, for example the Snap-T sweater with a snap button placket and patch chest pocket. You can recognize vintage Patagonia by its bold colors, often contrasting piping, and the older labels with the well-known mountain silhouette logo.
- Typical models: Synchilla Snap-T, Retro-X, Full-Zip Fleece
- Fit: rather straight and slightly shorter
- Especially sought after: "Made in USA" and unusual color combinations
The North Face: The streetwear classic
The North Face comes from San Francisco and has been an integral part of streetwear since the 90s. The best-known fleece jacket is the Denali Jacket with nylon reinforcements on the shoulders, elbows and pockets. Vintage pieces often have the older embroidered logo on the chest and back.
- Typical models: Denali, Fleece-Zip-Jackets, Fleece-Vests
- Fit: rather generous
- Especially sought after: Two-Tone colors, black Denalis, old logos
Columbia: The insider tip
Columbia comes from Portland and vintage fleece is often cheaper than the other two – with very good quality. Especially the colorful 90s models with color blocking are a real insider tip.
- Fit: usually comfortable and loose
- Especially sought after: wild patterns and color combinations
The comparison at a glance
- Most coveted: Patagonia
- Most streetwear vibe: The North Face
- Best value for money: Columbia
What you should look out for when buying
- Pilling: Small pills are normal on fleece. Heavy pilling on the sleeves shows that a piece has been worn a lot.
- Zipper: Does it run smoothly? With vintage, it is often the first thing to give out.
- Cuffs: Stretched-out elastic cuffs on the sleeves and hem are immediately noticeable when wearing it.
- Measurements: US sizes usually fall larger – compare the width and length.
Caring for fleece properly
Wash fleece inside out, cold and with little detergent, no fabric softener, not in the dryer. This keeps it fluffy and pills less.
Vintage fleece at Double Double Vintage
Our Vintage Fleece Collection is continuously replenished in autumn and winter. You can also find pieces in the Patagonia, The North Face and Columbia collections.
