The best sweatshirts for men are more than just any old fleece crewneck. These days, you’ll find sweatshirts worn in pretty much any context—chilling at home with jack squat to do, out and about running errands, in the office, on dates, and … well, now we’re just naming any situation we can think of. You could get by without a sweatshirt in your wardrobe, sure, but why doom yourself to a life of cozy deficiency?
More than that, sweatshirts have evolved into a whole ecosystem: hoodies, full-zips, quarter-zips, you name it. There’s truly sweat for every guy. From heavyweight hoodies to gym-ready zip-ups, the sweatshirt of your dreams is waiting for you. The ever-shopping GQ Recommends team combed through the field and distilled the best of the best into this tidy guide. All that's left for you is to scroll.
The Sweatshirt Hit List
Crewneck Sweatshirts
The crewneck sweatshirt was born in the 1930s, when professional football player Benjamin Russell, Jr. had the bright idea of swapping scratchy wool uniforms for a soft cotton fleece pullover. 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
Once zippers hit hoodies, everything changed. Suddenly they could donned and doffed with ease, which turned the garment 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.
Futher shopping: The Best Zip Hoodies for Men
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.
Futher shopping: The Best Quarter Zip Sweatshirts
Graphic Sweatshirts
Today's sweatshirts are practically synonymous with splashy graphics and box logos. We have streetwear to thank for that. Brands like Supreme and Stüssy helped turn hoodies and sweatshirts into canvases for art, self-expression, and virtue signalling. Now designers are pushing things even further with trippy dye techniques and next-level printing. Like graphic tees, graphic sweats broadcast who you are. And even if there’s no deeper personal connection to the graphic you’re rocking, the coolest ones can still add a ton of style to your outfit.
Turtleneck Sweatshirts
Turtleneck and mockneck sweatshirts are rare, but they are out there. They give off a certain late ‘80s aura that could easily pair with some light wash jeans and retro sneakers. But if you don’t want to be mistaken for a character from Family Matters or Full House, try styling these offbeat sweatshirts with a cropped jacket and some cords.
Short-Sleeve Sweatshirts
This might be the rarest and most advanced kind of sweatshirt out there. Short-sleeved sweatshirts have been around forever but have never made it to mainstream status because, well, they’re kind of a paradox—kind of like wearing Uggs with shorts. Our suggestion might be to go with a throwback look with some vintage 501s and Converse sneakers. Or, lean into something a little more edgy like layering it over a thermal and thrashed jeans and boots.
