Until my senior year of high school, when I began visiting college campuses, I never wore sweatshirts or gave them any thought. I made it a point to get some school spirit gear wherever I went on my tour. Because I grew up in the Midwest, which is known for its harsh winters, my uniform was usually an enormous hoodie with the school’s emblem or mascot embroidered on it.
Sweatshirts can be worn in a variety of ways, contrary to popular belief. They are available in a variety of designs. For special events, such as a night out with friends, you can dress them up a little. At the same time, they’re ideal for casual events because they go well with jeans and sneakers.
What is a Sweatshirt?
A sweatshirt, specifically, is a long-sleeved pullover. Like a hooded sweater, it covers your top torso and arms. Sweatshirts are one of the many summer garments. They are sometimes referred to as hoodies as well. Sweatshirts feature a liner inside to absorb moisture and are made of thick cotton. They’re designed to cover your torso and arms, preventing any signs of extra perspiration from interfering with your activity.
Sweatshirts are never fitting and are always loose or large. Despite the fact that they are classified as sweaters, they are not sweaters. In fact, it’s the polar opposite. To put it another way, you can work out in a sweatshirt but not a sweater until winter hits. The main distinction between a sweater and a sweatshirt is this.
Types of Sweatshirts
Here’s a breakdown of the many varieties of sweatshirts.
Athletic Sweatshirt
These are normally lightweight and helpful for keeping warm when you’re running outside, and they’re designed for both men and women. They also work in the gym’s air-conditioned environment. If you’re going to run at night, search for a hoodie with bright, reflecting colors so you can be seen by drivers. What’s fantastic about this type of sporting clothing is that it’s usually waterproof and dries quickly.
Baja Sweatshirt
Around half a century ago, these were invented in Mexico. (They’re also known as Mexican thread hoodies.) They are available in a variety of stylish designs for both men and women. They’re frequently fashioned of jerga, which is coarse wool. They can, however, be created from a variety of materials, including used T-shirts.
Baja sweaters are known for their softness, which is something that many people like. These are often distinguished by a single front pocket and side vents. The drawstrings are completely flat.
Horizontal stripes are usually used on the hoods, whereas vertical stripes are used on the body of the garment. (Not all Bajas are designed in this manner.) Some contend that these are more appropriately classified as jackets than sweatshirts. We’ll leave it up to you to decide.
Button-up Sweatshirt
These are technically sweaters because they’re knitted and contain buttons like a cardigan. When you add a hood to it, though, things become a little more complicated. We’ll name it a button-up (or down) hoodie because it’s more informal than a traditional cardigan. These are also frequently available in flannel, which is more commonly promoted as a men’s style.
Crewneck Sweatshirt
A crew neck sweatshirt is a little heavier-than-a-T-shirt long-sleeved sweater with a crew neck, which means it’s round and collarless, in its most basic, “purest” form. Men and women both wear these comfy, utilitarian shirts since they are a terrific source of warmth.
Designer Sweatshirt
They appear to be far more fashionable than regular sweatshirts, and their pricing reflects this. They’re available in high-end stores that specialize in fashionable labels. For both men and women, designer fashions are offered.
Fleece Sweatshirt
These are super-warm, and you can have them with a fleece liner or a solid fleece (inside and out). Some of the women’s fleece styles resemble traditional hooded sweatshirts, while others resemble a tunic that looks great with jeans. They have a robe-like feel to them, which makes them really comfy.
Hoodie Sweatshirt
This is a standard sweatshirt with a hood, usually with drawstrings. On a windy day, those drawstrings can make all the difference in keeping the hood securely on your head. Hoodies are available in both pullover and zipper styles for men and women. Typically, they’re constructed of polyester or cotton. A “kangaroo pocket” is included in several of them to keep your hands warm.
A hooded sweatshirt, on the other hand, does not have a single style. Hoodies come in a variety of styles.
Knitted Sweatshirt
These are a “sweater-style” hoodie. They’re a touch more refined than your typical sweatshirt, but they’re still very much casual. Loose-fitting knitted hoodies are available if you want your garments a touch bigger for extra comfort. Knitted fitting shirts are also available if you want something that better adapts to your body’s curves.
Polo Sweatshirt
These are a touch more dressy than your regular sweatshirt, with polo-style characteristics, particularly in the neck. This style is most commonly found in men’s clothing.
Sleeveless and Short-sleeved Sweatshirt
While the majority of hoodies are long-sleeved, there are some that are short-sleeved (three-quartsrs or half-length). When you need a bit more warmth around your core but not your arms, these are ideal for layering. In the cooler months, I layer my short-sleeved hoodie with a long-sleeved shirt.
Hoodies with no sleeves are also available. They have a hood and are similar to tank tops or jerseys. These are ideal for layering or wearing to the gym. There are sleeveless hoodies.
Tunic Sweatshirt
This is a feminine style that lends a touch of class to an ensemble. It’s a little lengthy and form-fitting. Tunics are appropriate for instances when you wish to wear something more sophisticated than a T-shirt or a regular sweatshirt.
Zippered Sweatshirt
You can choose a hoodie with a zipper that reaches halfway down the front or one with a zipper that zips up and down from neck to waist. It’s easier to get in and out of the full-length zippered version. Pullover hoodies are more like the types that zip only partially. If you wear a sweatshirt with a zipper, you should usually wear an undershirt or T-shirt underneath to protect your skin from the chilly metal.
The History of Sweatshirts
Sweatshirts, in comparison to other sorts of clothing, are a relatively new notion. The term “sweatshirt” was coined in 1925. The clothing was created as sportswear for athletes of the time. Sweatshirts were good for workouts since they both produced and absorbed sweat. Long-sleeved gray pullovers woven from sweatshirt fleece, a warm form of cotton, were the first clothes of this sort. While they were not necessarily fashionable, they performed their purpose admirably.
The sweatshirt subsequently evolved into the zip-up hoodie, as one might imagine. On the sidelines, football players wore them. People’s love for running, which had become a well-established fad by the 1970s, aided the introduction of similar-made athletic pants (sweatpants). Sweatshirts and tracksuits got increasingly versatile as time went on. Short and long-sleeved shirts were available, and some sports outfits even included sweatskirts.
It wasn’t long before universities realized the sweatshirt’s potential as a marketing tool, and they began selling school pride gear. Colleges might promote the attire to raise awareness of their institution, and students and their families could proudly display their school colors.
With the rise in popularity of extreme sports and the creation of subcultures such as the hip-hop movement, the “sweatshirt craze” gained more traction in the 1870s and 1980s. Surfers wore the clothes to keep warm after emerging from the cold ocean waves and drying off on the sand.
Skateboarding became a “thing” in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Hoodies and baggy cargo trousers or shorts were the most common clothes worn by skaters. Clothing companies realized this and began designing sweatshirts for extreme-sport athletes and the teenagers and young adults who aspired to be like them. Even if they lacked the skating abilities to go with the attire, suburban teenagers could now readily adopt the “skater look.”
Hip-hop made its debut in the late 1970s. Members of this group would wear sweatshirts with the names of rap artists on them, as well as graffiti and mural replicas produced by members of the subculture. Sweatshirts eventually become a low-cost, easy-to-find tool of self-expression.
Sweatshirt Materials
Sweatshirts are made of a variety of materials, the majority of which are synthetics.
French Terry for Sweatshirts
You might be wondering what French terry is if you read the list of sweatshirt materials. It’s a knit fabric with a soft, fluffy feel that’s ideal for sweatshirts. It has a very casual look and feel, with soft piles of yarn on one side and loops on the other, and is ideal for lazing around the house. It’s not as hefty as most heavyweight sweatshirts, but it’s not as light as most T-shirts.
Merino Wool Sweatshirts
Because it comes from merino sheep, this fabric is called merino. Compared to other materials, this sort of wool has a number of advantages. It’s biodegradable, therefore it’s good for the environment. When it’s hot outside, it absorbs sweat and keeps you cool and dry. It preserves heat close to your body in chilly conditions. It can also provide some UV protection depending on how it’s processed in garments.
Organic Cotton for Sweatshirts
Organic cotton is farmed with the least amount of environmental effect possible. It’s grown without pesticides, industrial fertilizers, or genetically manipulated seeds in order to preserve the soil as productive as possible. Growers must follow high standards to be certified as organic, ensuring that their product is safe for ecosystems and local populations.
FAQs – Types of Sweatshirts
Can you wear sweatshirts in the summer?
Yes. Even when the days are hot, the nights in some climates can be frigid. Having some warmer clothing on hand is always a good idea. Some public facilities in hot areas try to compensate for the oppressive heat by turning up the air conditioning to Arctic levels. To counterbalance the onslaught of icy air, it’s also a good idea to dress warmly here.
Wool and cashmere, on the other hand, might make you overheat in the summer, so stick to lighter materials — and colors, to stay up with the warm-weather trend. You may always tie the shirt around your waist or drape it over your shoulders to keep it close at hand.
What Makes a Sweater a Sweater and Not a Sweatshirt?
Sweatshirts are more casual than sweaters and give off an athletic vibe. Sweatshirts are adaptable enough to be worn casually, but they may also be dressed up for less formal settings. Sweaters might be considered business casual in specific situations, such as the office Christmas party.
Even though it’s acceptable to dress up, the event is usually referred to as an “Ugly Sweater Party” rather than an “Ugly Sweatshirt Party,” however unfashionable sweatshirts and T-shirts may be permitted.
Cardigans, or button-down sweaters, are even more formal than ordinary sweaters. These can be worn to work and are typically included in private school uniforms or other “preppy” clothing trends.
Sweaters are frequently associated with scratchy wool, giving them a texture that contrasts sharply with comfortable sweatshirts. However, not all sweaters have this unfavorable trait. Merino wool sweaters, for example, are just as comfy as soft sweatshirts.
What’s the Difference Between a Sweatshirt and a Jacket?
Heavy sweatshirts and hoodies can serve the same role as jackets, making this a little more difficult to describe. In most cases, jackets are worn over garments, whereas sweatshirts are frequently worn as part of an outfit and worn beneath a jacket. Jackets, like sweatshirts, are fashioned of a variety of fabrics. The following are the most common materials used to manufacture jackets:
- Denim
- Suede
- Tweed
- Fleece
- Leather
- Cotton
Sweatshirts don’t employ most of these materials. Jackets also contain more pockets, which are commonly zippered, buttoned, or clasped. Jackets, while typically worn to keep you warm, can also be used to create a fashion statement. Formal jackets are dressier than even the most formal sweatshirts.
Certain types of jackets almost always provide more insulation than sweatshirts when worn for protection against the cold. (Think of a leather or bomber jacket.)
How many times can you wear a sweatshirt before washing?
The general rule of thumb is that your sweatshirt should be washed after five or six wears. Sweatshirts, thankfully, are very low-maintenance, ensuring their lifespan. This is especially true if you’re wearing your sweatshirt as a pullover.
How to fold a Sweatshirt?
When folding cotton sweatshirts and other heavy items, use these guidelines to avoid wrinkles and creases:
- Smooth out any wrinkles in the sweatshirt by folding it in half.
- Fold the sleeves of the sweatshirt into the body of the sweater so that they are pointing downward.
- Finally, fold the sweatshirt in half, bringing the sleeves to the crew neck sweatshirt line.
Aside from the materials, the longevity of your sweatshirt is directly proportional to how well you care for it. If your sweatshirts are on their last legs, browse our selections below to find a new favorite.
What is the difference between Sweatshirt and Hoodie?
Sweatshirts and hoodies are winter sportswear clothes that keep you warm. Although they have a similar appearance and are sometimes constructed of comparable fabrics, there is a distinction between a sweatshirt and a hoodie. A hoodie, on the other hand, has a hood, but a sweatshirt does not. All ages and genders wear the sports apparel.
Is sweatshirt a jacket?
A sweatshirt is a kind of sweater that may be worn over the head and is comprised of a thick cotton jersey material. An open front is characteristic of a jacket, which can be fastened with buttons, hooks, or zippers. Sweatshirts and jackets are both examples of clothing that are designed to keep the wearer warm.
Can I wear sweatshirt in gym?
Is it Safe to Workout in a Hoodie? When it comes to exercising out, there is always the possibility of injury. You may have heat stroke, over fatigue, or dehydration while exercising in a hoodie, just like you could sprain your ankle or rupture a muscle while weightlifting—and we don’t want that.
Can I wear sweatshirt over shirt?
Put on a white T-shirt that is a little longer than your sweatshirt to start. Put on your sweatshirt after that. Finally, for a more refined look, layer a blazer over your sweatshirt. If you need a winter wardrobe to go to work on casual Friday, this is a wonderful option.
Do you wear anything under sweatshirt?
In terms of crews, you may wear any type of tee you want. As long as it doesn’t protrude from the bottom. Another benefit of wearing a shirt under your sweatshirt is that you won’t have to wash your sweatshirt as frequently.
Is a sweatshirt a jumper?
A jumper is a piece of clothing made of wool or a combination or blend of wool and other fabrics. Knitwear is another term for jumpers. Sweatshirts are often constructed of a thicker material, such as cotton. Other materials, such as polyester or a combination of the two, can be used instead of cotton.
Can sweatshirt be worn alone?
You can wear your sweater in whatever way you like, but here are some ideas. Sweaters are typically worn throughout the cooler months. When you wear a shirt underneath, this is referred to as “layering.” As a result, if the temperature warms up a bit, you can take off the sweater and still be warm.
What do girls wear with a hoodie?
You might pair your hoodie with a leather jacket if you want to seem trendy and casual at the same time. Then, with the addition of a hat and sunglasses, you can create a relaxed summer style with a twist. Other jackets, such as a denim jacket, a bomber jacket, or even a trench coat, can be worn as well.
