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If there was a menswear equivalent of the food pyramid, men’s sweatshirts would take up a significant portion. They’d occupy the second layer, just above a foundation made up of T-shirts, underwear, and jeans. The garment born out of sports uniforms have become so enmeshed into the fashion matrix that it’s impossible to ignore. Surplus stores are packed with hearty versions of the humble knitwear. Screenprinted sweats and hoodies give streetwear upstarts their shot at glory. And even avant-garde designers aren’t immune to the challenge of spinning the ubiquitous garment.
You could eke by without a sweatshirt or hoodie in your closet, but you’d be missing a crucial part of your diet. Even if you’re the kind of snob who wouldn’t dare wear something as casual as a hoodie out in public, your time spent lounging at home could be suffering without a fluffy, cozy sweatshirt on hand. Whether you’re a grubby skate rat or spoiled preppy, fashion-illiterate or menswear-obsessed, there’s a sweatshirt for everyone. So we fired up the GQ Recommends machine to break down every kind of sweatshirt so you can finally get back to a well-rounded sartorial diet.
The Best Men’s Sweatshirts, According to GQ
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Crewneck Sweatshirts
The crewneck sweatshirt dates back to nearly a century ago when professional football player Benjamin Russell, Jr. introduced his newfangled sportswear garment sometime in the 1930s. Up until then, the de facto football uniforms where made of thick, scratchy wool. As you can imagine, that made playing football really fun. So, Russell Jr. came up with an alternative which was a soft, cotton fleece pullover with a crewneck-style collar. Almost a century later and we’re still wearing his invention to warm up on chilly evenings and lounge at home.
Read more: The Best Crewneck Sweatshirts for Men
Pullover Hoodies
Sometime after Russell, Jr.’s invention came the hoodie, a variation on the OG sweatshirt that featured—you guessed it—an attached hood to keep the wearer’s head warm. It was invented by the Knickerbocker Knitting Company which would later change its name to Champion. Today, the sportswear staple is everywhere and has evolved far beyond its athletic origins. Now you can find ultra luxe versions made from silky cashmere as well as wild riffs from the likes of streetwear and avant-garde designers alike.
Read more: The Best Hoodies for Men
Zip-Up Hoodies
Eventually, zippers made their way to hoodies and allowed the design to be donned and doffed more easily. It also made the hoodie more flexible in terms of temperature control. But more than that, it also turned the hoodie into a more dynamic layering piece. Not only could you style the hoodie underneath a jacket or coat, you could even show off your prized graphic tee or burly flannel underneath. The last time zip-up hoodies had their reign was during the 2000s, when emo and indie music was gaining steam. Thanks to a resurgence of Y2k style, indie sleaze, and the advanced layering the zip hoodie affords, the style has come back into prominence.
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