A fleece jacket is the layer most of us grab without thinking: soft, warm, easy. Finding a good plus size fleece jacket is harder, especially above a 3X, and even a good one has limits once the wind picks up or the drizzle starts. Here's how a plain fleece compares with a fleece lined soft shell, what to check for fit in plus sizes, and which one we'd reach for.
What a plus size fleece jacket does well, and where it falls short
Fleece is warm for its weight, it dries fast, and it feels good on. For a cool, still day or as a layer under a heavier coat, it's hard to beat.
The trouble is the outside. Fleece is an open, fuzzy knit, so wind goes straight through it, and light rain soaks in instead of rolling off. Fleece also tends to pill and stretch out at the cuffs and hem over time. And many plus size fleece jackets are straight size patterns made bigger, so they end up boxy and short: wide at the bottom, tight across the shoulders, and riding up when you reach.
What a fleece lined plus size soft shell adds
A fleece lined soft shell puts the fleece on the inside and a smooth, stretchy shell on the outside. You keep the soft, warm feel against you, and you add:
- Wind protection. The shell blocks the breeze that cuts through plain fleece.
- Light rain and snow. A DWR finish sheds drizzle and flurries instead of soaking them up.
- Stretch. A good soft shell moves when you reach for a car door or a grocery bag, instead of pulling across your back.
- A cleaner look. No pilling, and it looks right with jeans at school pickup or at the office.
It isn't a rain jacket and it isn't an insulated winter coat. It's the jacket in between, and for fall, spring and mild winter days it's usually the one you want.
Plus size fit: what to check before you buy
Whether you buy fleece or soft shell, these are the things that make or break the fit in plus sizes:
- Length. Look for the measurement from the back of the neck to the hem. Past the hip keeps you warm when you sit and bend.
- Shoulders and back. Stretch fabric, or a pattern cut for plus size proportions, keeps the jacket from pulling when you reach forward.
- Cuffs. Adjustable cuffs keep drafts out and stop sleeves from sliding over your hands.
- The real size range. Many brands stop at 3X or 4X. Check that your size is actually made, not just listed.
- The size chart, not a guess. Sizing up in a jacket that wasn't cut for plus size bodies usually adds length and width in the wrong places. Measure yourself and check the size chart before you order.
Our pick: the Venus plus size fleece lined soft shell jacket
The Venus is our everyday plus size fleece lined soft shell, designed from scratch for plus size proportions in sizes 1X to 6X.
- Micro fleece bonded inside for warmth without the bulk of an insulated coat.
- Three layer WPB 8K shell that is wind and water resistant, with a DWR finish to shed light rain.
- Stretch fabric that moves with you.
- Adjustable hood for when the weather turns.
- Velcro adjustable cuffs with inner sleeve gaiters that keep drafts out at the wrist.
- Zippered pockets so your phone and keys stay put.
- Longer length. A 3X measures 35 inches from the back of the neck to the bottom of the jacket, so it covers past the hip.
It comes in Black, Chocolate, Eggplant and Peacock. See every style in our plus size fleece lined soft shell jackets.
When you need more than fleece: a plus size insulated soft shell
On truly cold days, any fleece layer on its own runs out of warmth. That's when to step up to the Siberian, our heavy insulated plus size softshell coat in 1X to 6X. It keeps the stretch shell and fleece bonded backing, then adds heavy quilted insulation, an attached insulated hood, pit zips and a tech snowskirt. A 4X runs 34 inches from the back of the collar to the hem. For more winter options, read our plus size winter jacket guide.
Plus size fleece jacket questions
Is a fleece lined soft shell warmer than a fleece jacket?
On a windy day, usually yes, because the shell stops the wind from carrying your body heat away. On a still day they feel similar. Neither replaces an insulated coat in deep cold.
Can I wear a fleece lined soft shell in the rain?
In light rain and drizzle, yes. The Venus is water resistant with a DWR finish. For steady rain, you want a waterproof rain jacket. Our plus size rain jacket guide covers those.
What sizes does the Venus come in?
1X to 6X, including 4X, 5X and 6X.
Should I size up so I can layer under it?
Measure yourself and check the size chart on the product page. If you're between sizes or plan to wear a thick sweater underneath, compare your measurements with the jacket measurements on the chart before you choose.
Do you make a men's version?
Yes. The men's soft shell fleece lined jacket comes in big sizes 2XL to 7XL.