Hoodies and sweatshirts: how to choose

How to choose hoodies and sweatshirts

Begin with the job the layer has to do. A hoodie worn on its own wants a little more room through the body and a hem that covers the waistband of your jeans; a sweatshirt slipped under a wool coat wants a closer line and a hood that sits flat at the neck. Look at the details you will actually use: a deep hood for cold mornings, pockets for keys and hands, a drawstring for adjustment, a button front for ease, or a lightweight knit for milder days. Our pieces include hooded shapes, drawstrings, pockets and buttoned styles, so read each description and picture how it will sit in your week.

Fit matters more than size alone. Compare the measurements on the product page with a sweatshirt you already own and like, laying it flat and measuring the bust and length. Some of our pieces are cut generously in a single size, some run small against US and EU charts, and others have a relaxed body with a smaller grade than standard sizing. If you sit between two sizes, take the larger of the two; if you prefer a close layer under a coat, choose the smaller only when the measurements support it.

Decide where you want the hem to land. A cropped hoodie that stops at the waist works over high-rise denim, leggings or a slip skirt; a hip-length sweatshirt is the easy partner for relaxed trousers; a long body that falls to mid-thigh or below the knee gives more coverage on cold mornings. The length changes the balance of the outfit as much as the colour, so try it with the trousers you wear most.

Materials, details and fit

Our hoodies and sweatshirts come in cotton, fleece, polyester knit, wool and modal, and each fibre brings a different hand. Double-sided fleece holds warmth on both faces of the cloth and keeps a smooth outside; cotton gives a breathable feel, with a 500 g weight bringing substance; modal falls with a fluid drape; a flax blend with an acrylic lining has a dry, natural surface and a soft inner layer. Read the fabric note rather than assuming all sweatshirts feel the same.

Texture is where a plain shape gains interest. A fine waffle grid catches the light in soft shadow; a plush pile gives a dense, matte surface; spliced panels bring a quiet change of texture across the body; ribbed edges at the neck, cuffs and hem, where present, help a sweatshirt hold its line. If you wear a lot of smooth denim and leggings, a textured knit adds depth without pattern. If your wardrobe is already busy, a smooth cotton or polyester face keeps things calm.

Look at the shoulder and hood in the mirror. A dropped shoulder softens the shape and gives the arm room to move, while a set-in shoulder gives a neater line under a coat. A deep hood adds warmth at the neck; a roomy hood can be drawn up against a chill. Check that the hood sits flat when you are not wearing it, and that the cuffs reach your wrist without pulling. A good fit leaves room to move without excess fabric at the arm.

How to style them

Start with the trousers you already reach for. A cropped cotton hoodie sits neatly over high-rise jeans, leggings or a slip skirt; a relaxed cotton hoodie falls over leggings, denim or a slip dress; a longline hooded cardigan carries the line below the knee and works over a dress or weekend denim. A crew neck sweatshirt layers cleanly over a tee or a collared shirt, with the collar showing at the neck.

Use colour to set the mood. White, grey and navy keep the line quiet beside denim; black and wine add depth for evening errands; pink, green or yellow bring a lift on a grey morning. If you want one piece to work with most of your wardrobe, choose a solid colour and let texture do the talking. The waffle knit and plush sweater both show how a single shade can hold interest when the surface is not flat.

Layering is the point of a hoodie. Slip a pullover over a T-shirt or fine knit, then adjust the hood as needed. A modal hooded sweater slides under a wool coat when the temperature drops; a lighter sweatshirt works under a denim jacket or a long coat without bulk at the arm. Keep the layers close in tone for a calm line, or put a darker hoodie under a lighter coat for contrast. Leave the hood out over the collar rather than bundling it under a scarf.

Care and storage

Turn hoodies and sweatshirts inside out before washing, close any buttons, and use a cool or gentle cycle with a mild detergent. Wash similar colours together, and avoid overloading the machine so the fabric has room to move. Fabric softener can coat fleece and knits, so use it sparingly or not at all; a short spin helps heavy cotton and fleece dry without stretching.

Dry knits and heavy sweatshirts flat or on a line, reshaping the shoulders and hem while damp. Hanging a heavy wet hoodie on a hanger can pull the shoulder seams out of line, so fold it over a drying rack instead. Keep drying pieces out of direct sun, which can fade strong colours over time, and turn fleece and plush knits the right way out once they are nearly dry.

Store folded, not hung, so the shoulders keep their shape and the hood does not pull the neckline. A stack in a drawer or on a shelf is kinder to heavy cotton, fleece and wool than a narrow hanger. Keep the storage dry and leave a little air around knits; a breathable cotton bag is useful for seasonal pieces. A fabric comb can lift small pills from knitwear, working gently in one direction.

Standout pieces

• Oversized Hooded Fleece Sweatshirt: Double-sided fleece, a deep hood and one generous pocket give this piece a long, loose line that falls to mid-thigh.
• Soft Cotton Cropped Hoodie: A brushed soft inside and a cotton-rich face make this cropped hoodie an easy layer over high-rise denim or leggings.
• Modal Hooded Sweater: Modal gives this hooded sweater a fluid drape and a soft weight, with a roomy hood for cool evenings.
• Longline Hooded Knit Cardigan: A thick textured knit, a hood and an extra-long hem below the knee make this cardigan a warming layer over dresses and denim.
• Waffle Knit Hooded Sweatshirt: A fine waffle grid catches the light across a relaxed shape, with a hood to pull up when the air turns.