Once upon a time, the word “fleece” meant a sheepskin. These days the word more often refers to a plush synthetic fabric that is warm, cozy and in the case of leopard fleece, spotted!
The polyester fabric with a soft deep pile that’s known as fleece today has found its way into all kinds of products. Particularly when paired with animal prints, fleece is most often used to create blankets or throws that protect against cold and wind. However, clothing designers and other manufacturers have discovered that when it comes to leopard print fleece, the only limit is their imagination.
Everything’s Warm and Cozy with Leopard Fleece
For example, how often has someone curled up in a comfy fleece robe on a cold winter’s night? The online vendor Crazy for Bargains.com features robes in fun leopard fleece for as little as $15 each. As a purveyor of fun sleepwear for all the family, this site also offered women’s pajama pants in pink leopard fleece for less than $8.
As if the natural camouflage provided by a leopard’s coat wasn’t enough, another website, Karma Loop, offers The Colleague Fleece Varsity Jacket in Leopard Camo. Imagine putting a leopard’s print into camouflage colors! This version from Men’s Jackets by Crooks and Castles retails for $106.
Another longtime clothing vendor, Old Pueblo Traders, sells a leopard print fleece cape for women with ruffle trim on the hem for around $70. This 27-inch-long garment is made of microfiber fleece that resists pilling and is machine washable. A leopard print beret to match is also available. If the beret isn’t enough to keep the wearer’s head warm, Amazon.com’s Marketplace features Blue Leopard Fleece Earmuffs byMontano’s Inc. on sale for half price, $12.50.
Looking at the offerings from a number of pet supply websites, lots of pets have come down with a serious case of leopard envy. Why else would there be such a selection of kennel pads, dog toys, dog coats and cat beds in leopard fleece? Possibly the best example of this trend was a cat bed called a “slumber ball” offered by the catalog site, Drs. Foster & Smith, that will make any domesticated kitty think she’s queen of the jungle. In addition to its nod to conservation with a leopard print in gray or tan, the slumber ball is stuffed with polyfil, a stuffing made from recycled soda bottles. In sizes from 18 to 32 inches, the slumber ball was on sale for $30 to $55.
Of course, what would any overview of the ingenious designs for leopard print fleece be without a look at traditional throws and blankets? On the auction side eBay alone, vendors showed 20 variations of fleece throws and blankets! A Texas vendor, Tricia’s Treasures, showed a new leopard fleece throw measuring a generous 50-by-60 inches. Finished with a brown blanket stitch, the 100 percent polyester, machine washable throw could be embroider with a name of the customer’s choice for only $20.
It looks like leopard fleece has become a cozy, inventive and economical way to keep away the chill.
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