Fleece Fabric
Soft, warm polar fleece fabric for winter wear, athleisure, and casual fashion - India's fleece fabric supplier for domestic and export collections.
What is Fleece Fabric?
Fleece is a soft, napped fabric typically made from polyester, though wool and cotton fleece variants exist. Polar fleece (the most common type) is a lightweight, insulating fabric with a brushed, fuzzy surface on one or both sides. Despite its warmth, fleece is much lighter than wool and dries quickly. It was originally developed as a synthetic alternative to wool for outdoor and athletic use. In India, fleece is primarily used for winter wear, jackets, hoodies, blankets, and children's clothing. The growing demand for affordable winter wear in India has significantly increased fleece consumption.
Key Properties
Key properties: soft, fuzzy surface with good insulation despite low weight, quick-drying and moisture-resistant (unlike wool), machine washable and easy care, retains shape and softness after washing, lightweight relative to warmth, available in various weights (100, 200, 300 GSM fleece), hypoallergenic. Anti-pill fleece is more durable for fashion applications. Sherpa fleece has a lamb's wool-like texture on one side.
Origin & History
Modern polar fleece was developed by Malden Mills (now Polartec) in 1979 using recycled PET bottles - one of the earliest sustainable synthetic fabrics. Patagonia popularised fleece in outdoor fashion. In India, fleece fabric manufacturing has grown with the domestic winter wear market, particularly in North India where demand is strong. Ludhiana (Punjab) is a significant knitwear and winter wear hub. India also imports significant quantities of fleece fabric for garment manufacturing.
Why Brands Choose Fleece
India's growing urban middle class and increasing demand for affordable winter wear have made fleece a high-growth fabric category. For domestic brands, fleece jackets and hoodies are increasingly popular across North and Central India. For export, Indian fleece garments are competitive for European and North American casual and outdoor markets. The sustainability angle of recycled polyester fleece (rPET) is increasingly important for export buyers.
Print Types for Fleece
Fleece's brushed surface creates unique embellishment possibilities. Best prints at Clothwala:
Screen Print
Bold screen prints on fleece for casual winter wear and hoodies
Heat Transfer
Heat transfer graphics on fleece for branded sportswear and casual wear
Embroidery
Machine embroidery on fleece for premium jacket and outerwear branding
Sublimation Print
All-over sublimation on smooth-faced fleece for vibrant winter fashion
From Our Warehouse - Sahil Luthra, Clothwala
Written by Sahil Luthra, Founder - Clothwala.com | Based in Surat, India
At Clothwala, we have been in the textile wholesale business since 2018, operating from Surat - India's largest synthetic fabric hub. We work directly with 40+ mills, which means our buyers get factory-level pricing without middleman markup. Every fabric we list has been tested by our team for wash durability, colour fastness, and drape quality before it goes on the website. We ship to garment units, boutiques, and exporters across India with a minimum order of 200 meters.
Buying Tips for Fleece
Tip 1: Do not judge fabric quality only by price. Rs 10 cheaper per meter often means 20% less durability.
Tip 2: Order winter fabrics (velvet, wool-blend) by July-August. Prices go up 15-20% after September.
Over 800 textile mills operate in the Surat-Pandesara-Sachin belt, where Clothwala sources most of its polyester range.
Common Questions About Fleece
Q: Do you provide fabric samples?
Yes. We send free samples for orders above Rs 10,000. For smaller enquiries, we charge Rs 50-100 per sample cut which is adjusted against your first bulk order.
Q: Can I get custom printing done?
Yes. We offer digital, screen, and rotary printing. Digital printing MOQ is 200 meters. Share your design files and we will send a printed sample before bulk production.
Q: What is the minimum order quantity?
Our MOQ is 200 meters per colour per fabric type. For sample orders, we accept 5-10 meter cuts at slightly higher per-meter pricing.
Last updated: April 2026 | Reviewed by Sahil Luthra, Clothwala Textile Exports | Surat, Gujarat, India
Uses & Applications
Winter Jackets
Polar fleece for lightweight, warm winter jackets and outerwear
Hoodies & Sweatshirts
Fleece-lined sweatshirts and hoodies for casual winter wear
Children's Winter Wear
Soft, hypoallergenic fleece for children's winter clothing
Blankets & Throws
Fleece fabric for home blankets, throws, and travel accessories
Activewear Layer
Moisture-resistant fleece as mid-layer for outdoor and active wear
Export Winter
Indian fleece garment fabric for European and North American winter export
Source Fleece Fabric in Bulk
Talk to Clothwala for wholesale pricing, samples, and custom print options on Fleece fabric.
WhatsApp for Bulk Inquiry