The Comprehensive Guide to Sweatshirts (2024)

In the basic hierarchy of wardrobe needs, men's sweatshirts rank just behind T-shirts, underwear, and jeans. Over the decades, they've evolved beyond their origins as sportswear staples, becoming bona fide fashion items lusted after by your hypebeast cousin and his balding dad in equal measure. These days, men's sweatshirts can inject any outfit with enough juice to send you straight to Drip Town: Think Steve McQueen on his motorcycle in a greasy crewneck or Justin Bieber in a baggy-as-hell hoodie and slides. So it follows that in 2022, there are sweatshirts for literally every occasion. There are the sweatshirts you throw on for the morning dog walk, the sweatshirts you wear for heart-pumping, iron-throwing workouts (y'know, the sweatshirts you actually sweat in), even the sweatshirts you set aside to wear with a suit and dress shoes. Today, we're going to run through all of those versions and more.

From basic zip-up hoodies to lush designer interpretations, from heavyweight pullovers to featherlight sleeveless joints, these are the 12 absolute essential men's sweatshirts you need to know. No matter your budget, your taste, or your needs, there's a sweatshirt—maybe a handful of 'em!—included here that's right for you. Fleece yourself up and get your cozy on, folks.

The Best Men's Sweatshirts Shopping Guide

• Crewneck Sweatshirts
• Pullover Hoodies
• Zip-Up Hoodies
• Fractional Zip Sweatshirts
• Graphic Sweatshirts
• Basic Sweatshirts
• Elevated Sweatshirts
• Vintage Sweatshirts
• Turtleneck Sweatshirts
• Lightweight Sweatshirts
• Workout Sweatshirts
• Short-Sleeve Sweatshirts

Crewneck Sweatshirts

The crewneck sweatshirt was invented in the 1930s by Benjamin Russell Jr., a professional football player who wanted a comfortable alternative to his sport's scratchy wool uniforms. His solution, a soft cotton fleece pullover with a crewneck collar, wound up changing the world of fashion forever.

Pullover Hoodies

Another legendary silhouette that needs no real introduction. Hoodies are an off-duty staple, of course, perfect for bundling up on the couch for a long day of hardcore lounging. But they also bring a relaxed ease to just about any fit, and look right at home under a tailored topcoat or a puffy bomber.

Zip-Up Hoodies

Like a loungewear cardigan, zip-up hoodies give you the flexibility to show off whatever you're wearing underneath—be it a killer graphic tee or a hardy flannel button-up—and don't require low-level gymnastics to pull on.

Fractional Zip Sweatshirts

Those half-zips and quarter-zips your pops used to wear when coaching your childhood soccer team? They're cool as all hell right now. Leave ‘em unzipped to show off that wild new necklace you just copped, or zip up straight to the top when a cold wind blows in from nowhere.

Graphic Sweatshirts

When you want your sweatshirt to say more than just “I'm warm and stylish," these streetwear staples have got your back. Think of hoodies and sweatshirts as blank canvases—the only limit is the artist's imagination. Graphic hoodies and sweatshirts can incorporate classic collegiate-style lettering or screenprinted logos or trippy kaleidoscopic dye jobs—sometimes all three! They can give a peek into your own personality and rep everything from your hometown to your favorite band. And just like a good pair of blue jeans, the best graphic hoodies get even better with every wear as the prints crack and fade.

Basic Sweatshirts

We know what you're thinking: Kind of redundant, GQ! Aren't all these sweatshirts basic? We hear you. But this category is our little love letter to the everyday sweatshirts you can stroll into any mall in America and stock up on for less than $50 a pop. The kind you have seven of in your drawer as we speak, that you can pull on anytime for any purpose, that you can always rely on. Basic sweats, we salute you.

Elevated Sweatshirts

From upgraded materials to thoughtful design details, these not-so-basic basics are well worth the price of admission. We adore the cheap and cheerful crewneck, for sure. But upgraded materials like Supima cotton and cashmere, as well as next-level details like loopwheeled construction and flatlock seams, all add up to an experience that's totally distinct from anything under $100.

Vintage Sweatshirts

It can sometimes take years before a sweatshirt looks and feels just right. Buying vintage helps you sidestep that process completely, with hoodies and crewnecks that have gone through the ringer and come out looking incredible on the other side. It can sometimes be a bit of a crapshoot finding the perfect vintage model, but it's well worth the hunt.

Turtleneck Sweatshirts

Consider these a 2-piece scarf-sweater combo. When it's truly frigid outside, you'll want to protect your neck. These mock and turtleneck sweatshirts let you do just that in as cozy a form as possible.

Lightweight Sweatshirts

You don't have to give up on your go-to sweatshirts when spring rolls around. Made from lightweight cottons, linen blends, and even modern synthetic materials, these are the ideal in-between layers for sunny-but-cool days.

Workout Sweatshirts

Whether you're training in inclement weather or simply doing battle with an overzealous air conditioner at the gym, these performance-minded sweatshirts will keep you in tip-top shape. They'll definitely feel different than the classic sweatshirts that Mr. Russell was churning out back in his day—athletic hoodies and sweatshirts are built with fast-drying materials and stretchy fibers to help you maximize those gains.

Short-Sleeved Sweatshirts

Because sometimes, you just gotta go full meathead. Short-sleeved sweatshirts have been around for decades, but they still remain a somewhat advanced move in the sweatshirt world. Layer up with a long-sleeve thermal for a rough-and-tumble look or rock it solo like a regular T-shirt.