Patagonia Snap-T Fleece

Patagonia's Snap-T fleece has been around since 1985, when it was marketed to climbers. Now it's the default layer for a very specific kind of campus outfit where the rest is jeans and trail runners. The snap placket instead of a full zipper was originally a weight-saving decision for alpine use. On campus it reads as a style choice because it makes the collar sit differently than a zip-up. Deep pile fleece has a texture that photographs well, picking up light unlike smooth synthetics. Retro colorways that Patagonia cycles through each season give each version a slightly different personality. The silhouette is boxy enough that it looks the same on everyone, which is part of why groups of friends end up wearing them together without coordinating.