The Ultimate Guide to Next Level Apparel’s Premium Fleece Collection

As temperatures dip lower and the trees begin changing colors, cozy fleece apparel comes out of storage. Hoodies, joggers, and crewnecks aren’t just seasonal style pieces—from late September through May, they’re everyday essentials for coffee runs to road trips and apple orchards to football games.

Not all fleeces earn a place in someone’s regular wardrobe rotation, though. Fabric blends, construction, and weight matter. A piece that feels stiff or harsh, or begins to show wear before autumn gives way to winter, will be quickly discarded. On the other hand, fleece that’s stylish, comfortable, and durable is elevated from “just another piece of clothing” to an essential that people reach for time and time again.

Next Level Apparel’s premium fleece styles are designed with that reality in mind. Instead of treating fleece as a single umbrella category, we’ve curated collections in different weights and blends that reflect how people actually wear them—and how decorators, merchandisers, and brand builders use them.

Three Ways to Think About Fleece

Plush. Fuzzy. Warm and comfortable. Those are the words most people would use when asked to describe fleece apparel. While those traits may apply across the full spectrum of this material, it’s not a “one-size-fits-all” fabric. That’s why we curated three families for our premium fleece. 

The Workhorse: CVC Fleece

Dependable by design, our CVC Fleece strikes a balance that consumers love to wear and decorators love to work with. At about 7.4 ounces, it delivers touchably soft comfort that’s light enough for layering yet structured for longevity. 

The cotton/polyester blend strikes a perfect balance of form and function. Its cotton-rich face provides a smooth, reliable canvas that’s ideal for large, detailed screen print runs where consistency is a must. Meanwhile, poly fibers add durability, ensuring the garment holds its shape and color through repeated washes. 

The CVC Fleece collection is perfect for merch programs that require reliable performance in high quantities, such as school spiritwear, team outfitting, and corporate giveaways. It’s the fleece that you can count on to work the same across hundreds, or even thousands, of units without skimping on the comfort people crave.  

The Trendsetter: Sueded Fleece

Our Sueded Fleece styles take things a step further, starting with the same cotton/poly foundation and adding a sueding process that gives the fabric a smooth, velvety finish. The result is a garment that feels more boutique retail than standard promotional wear. 

The difference is immediately noticeable. This fabrication isn’t just soft—it feels elevated. That’s exactly what makes pieces in this collection a strong contender for lifestyle brands, fitness studios, private labels, or any merch program where staff apparel can double as retail-ready pieces. 

Decoration strategies shift here as well. While standard screen prints work well, our Sueded Fleece pairs even better with techniques that highlight texture: embroidery, high-density inks, and tonal prints that complement the premium surface. It’s an easy way to differentiate, giving decorators a canvas that feels distinct without reinventing the basics.

The Innovator: Heavyweight Fleece

Equal parts style and substance, the Heavyweight Fleece Collection proves fashion and function aren’t mutually exclusive. Made with our premium 10-ounce fleece for warmth and comfort, and styled with oversized fits and dropped shoulders, this collection works for the bold streetwear and easygoing throwback styles that dominate the current retail landscape. 

When you want to stand out for all the right reasons, the pieces in this collection help you turn heads. The fabric’s heavyweight construction supports bold decoration approaches—think oversized logos, puff and textured inks, appliqué, and patches—without losing shape or comfort. For merch programs aimed at younger audiences, or those dialed into the latest looks, heavyweight fleece is an easy choice.

As far as decorators and merchandisers are concerned, this material is an opportunity to expand beyond conventional, “safe bet” choices. While lightweight hoodies are great for giveaways and uniform layers, heavyweight fleece is great for everything from small-batch runs and limited-edition drops to seasonal style launches where quantity matters as much as quality. 

Fleece as Strategy

The thing that ties these collections together is more than fabric. It’s also about flexibility. Our fleece platform is built around the belief that one garment can’t satisfy multiple needs, nor should it be asked to. Midweight hoodies and sweatpants tell one piece of the story, sueded crewnecks add another chapter, and heavyweight pullovers are the climax. 

For brands and decorators, that means more control over how their message is told:

• An enterprise-level tech company might choose CVC for reliable, affordable, comfortable swag for new-hire kits.

• Trendy cafés and gyms could sell sueded crewnecks as part of their retail presence while doubling as staff uniforms.

• Musicians and sports teams might use heavyweight fleece for premium, limited-edition merchandise.

Every situation is different, but the common thread is intentionality, with the fleece becoming part of the brand language. 

Setting the Standard for Premium Fleece

As fall arrives and people reach for their favorite pieces of fleece, decorators, merchandisers, and brand builders have an opportunity to blend style and strategy. Instead of treating fleece as “just another hoodie,” they can leverage seasonality as part of their apparel lineup with dependable everyday staples, livable comfort, or bold heavyweight materials.

Next Level Apparel’s different collections are the perfect toolkit for virtually every need, from schools to sports teams to streetwear brands, and everything in between. Contact us today to learn more about the three collections and our newest fleece releases, or to begin your next apparel order. 

Common Questions About Fleece Apparel

Which fleece is best for large-volume screen printing, like for school or corporate orders?

For high-volume jobs like school spiritwear or corporate orders where consistency is critical, CVC Fleece is the workhorse you need. Its cotton-rich face provides a smooth, reliable surface for printing, and the durable cotton/polyester blend ensures every piece holds its shape and color through every wash-and-wear cycle. 

We want to create a hoodie with a high-end, retail feel. Which fabric should we use?

Sueded Fleece has the high-end, boutique retail look and feel, without the premium markup. The fabric undergoes a special sueding process for an unbelievably smooth touch—paired with premium decoration techniques like embroidery or high-density inks that complement its luxurious texture, the finished piece looks and feels unmistakably elevated. 

What is the best option for a trendy, heavyweight streetwear line?

For a bold, fashion-forward streetwear line that aligns with current trends, the Heavyweight Fleece is the answer. At a substantial 10 ounces and cut with oversized fits and dropped shoulders, it makes a statement. This is the ideal canvas for high-impact decorations like puff prints, appliqué, and oversized logos that resonate with style-conscious audiences.