Why We Chose It: Retro styling, recycled materials, relaxed-fit.

There was a time when the late 80s and early 90s were looked back on as a bit of a joke. With its bad haircuts, in particular, the era became somewhat of a punchline in the age-old game of ‘what were we thinking?’ In recent years however, the era’s aesthetic has had somewhat of a revival. You can see it in the current hipster obsession with classic football shirts from the period, and you can see it in outdoor people’s rediscovered love for vintage fleecewear. From a style point of view, the three or four years either side of 1990 are officially back… and back with a bang.

The Ashfield Half-Zip Fleece from Craghoppers is a nostalgic doff of the cap, one that drags the brand’s heritage styles into a modern context. Sporting a deliberately old-school Craghoppers logo that looks like something from a VHS player, the Ashfield Half-Zip, part of The Archive Collection, is like being reunited with an old friend you haven’t seen in years. It’s new, but reassuringly familiar; fresh, and yet infused with a deeper sense of shared history.

“Sporting a deliberately old-school Craghoppers logo that looks like something from a VHS player.”

Like most of your favourite adventures, Craghoppers started with a couple of outdoor enthusiasts, some out-of-the-box thinking, and a bit of “I bet you can’t” gauntlet-throwing. In 1965, the founders of Craghoppers challenged themselves to design the ultimate outdoor clothing and then proceeded to test the items everywhere – from the picturesque Peak District to the highest highs of the Himalayas. The result: a brand that’s as authentic as they come.

Back to the subject of the fleece itself, the Ashfield scores eco-points for being made entirely of recycled materials. The adjustable hem cords, meanwhile, are super useful for helping to get the snug fit you want. Nothing worse, after all, than a fleece that undoes all its good insulating work up top by letting in loads of cold air at the bottom.