Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Crew Team: A Guide to Classic Sweatshirts

sweatshirts
Image used with permission by copyright holder
“A plain coloured, beautifully made sweatshirt is exactly the type of clothing that would actually be useful to have throughout your lifetime,” British designer/entrepreneur Tom Cridland told The Huffington Post UK in August 2015 upon the launch of his “30 Year Sweatshirt,” his organic cotton take on the apparel staple that is so durable and fade-resistant that he guarantees that it will last three decades.

A longtime and staunch proponent of the classic cotton crew neck pullover sweatshirt (especially versus its younger brother the zip-up hoodie), I couldn’t agree with Mr. Cridland more. Although they were created as training gear for jocks in the 1920s, these now evergreen tops thankfully crossed over into mainstream life in later years. Worn solo or as a layering piece, they are timeless, comfortable, good-looking no-brainers of a guy’s wardrobe, a fact that was even supported by that genius Albert Einstein. (See photographic evidence here.)

Recommended Videos

So whether your favorite sweatshirt has finally given up the ghost after 30 years or you just want to supplement it with a slightly more modern – yet still ageless – model, here are 16 terrific present-day options from which to choose….

Homespun French Terry Sweatshirt by ACE RIVINGTON ($99)

Homespun French Terry Sweatshirt by ACE RIVINGTON
Image used with permission by copyright holder

French Terry Crew in Officer’s Blue by AMERICAN GIANT ($59)

French Terry Crew in Officer's Blue by AMERICAN GIANT
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Oh, L’Amour Sweatshirt by A.P.C. ($180)

Oh, L'Amour Sweatshirt by A.P.C.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Ray Sweatshirt by A.P.C. ($180)

Ray Sweatshirt by A.P.C.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Shine Sweatshirt by A.P.C. ($210)

Shine Sweatshirt by A.P.C.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

French Terry Raglan Sleeve Sweatshirt by BROOKS BROTHERS RED FLEECE ($69.50)

French Terry Raglan Sleeve Sweatshirt by BROOKS BROTHERS RED FLEECE
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Supima Cotton Crewneck Sweatshirt by BROOKS BROTHERS ($118)

Supima Cotton Crewneck Sweatshirt by BROOKS BROTHERS
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Workshop Coho Sweatshirt in Granite by FINISTERRE ($82.50)

Workshop Coho Sweatshirt in Granite by FINISTERRE
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Reversible French Terry Sweatshirt by FLINT AND TINDER ($68)

Reversible French Terry Sweatshirt by FLINT AND TINDER
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Athletic French Terry Crew by GRAYERS ($53.98)

Athletic French Terry Crew by GRAYERS
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Brushed Loopback Terry Pullover by MICHAEL STARS ($128)

Brushed Loopback Terry Pullover by MICHAEL STARS
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Apollo Crew by OUTERKNOWN ($285)

Apollo Crew by OUTERKNOWN
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Crewneck in Navy by REIGNING CHAMP ($115)

crewneck-in-navy-by-reigning-champ
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Cove Ringer Sweatshirt by TAKUYA DUNCAN ($125)

Cove Ringer Sweatshirt by TAKUYA DUNCAN
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Seville Orange 30 Year Sweatshirt by TOM CRIDLAND (£65 – approx. $81)

Seville Orange 30 Year Sweatshirt by TOM CRIDLAND
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Crewneck Classic Sweatshirt by UNIFORM ($38)

The Crewneck Classic Sweatshirt by UNIFORM
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Christopher Blomquist
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Christopher is a native New Yorker who lives and works (mostly) in Manhattan. A longtime fashion journalist, he served as…
The new Omega Seamaster is just as bold as James Bond
A timepiece that was featured on James Bond No Time To Die is finally here in different variants
Omega Seamaster

James Bond has always been an icon of style and elegance. Thanks to his sophisticated taste and style, he’s inspired many brands over the years. Omega is one watch brand that has always been closely aligned with the iconic character. The latest James Bond himself, Daniel Craig, piqued interest at the Paris Olympics, when he was spotted rocking a new Omega model, a black-dialed stainless steel no-date Seamaster 300M.

Now, the wait is over: The watch has officially been rolled out, along with a brushed silver dial and bezel option.

Read more
Luxury has been redefined with Robert Talbott’s new creative director
Sebastian Dollinger takes over for an American icon
Robert Talbott bomber jacket with shirt and tie in the desert

All you need is a supportive family, or so you would think if you witnessed the rise of Robert Talbott, an American icon of menswear. In 1950, when Audrey started making one-of-a-kind bowties for her husband, Robert, in Carmel, California, the ties began to take off and sparked others to want the same stylish neckwear. What followed was a small sewing shop in their garage that grew to be a California-inspired staple in men's shirts and ties. Now, the brand is being rebranded with a new creative director. The Robert Talbott relaunch tapped former Eton shirts Creative Director Sebastian Dollinger to take the company forward.

CEO of Newtimes Brands, Alex Angelchik, who purchased Robert Talbott with the purpose of relaunching the brand spoke on the appointment. "Sebastian Dollinger’s visionary leadership perfectly aligns with our mission to redefine sophistication and style, emphasizing the brand’s commitment to men’s specialty stores and proudly upholding our California heritage."
Redefining an icon

Read more
PAKA redefines transparency in the manufacturing process
Know what your impact is with this alpaca fiber
PAKA team posing

Look, we get it. We all love a great sweater. Nothing beats throwing on your favorite sweater when the fall hits, feeling the crisp air hit every spot of exposed skin, and experiencing the simultaneous protection your best knitwear provides. There is also a deep love for the soft, breathable, luxurious, and incredibly warm alpaca fiber that makes up your favorite sweater. Back up, if you don't know what we are talking about, then stop what you are doing and treat yourself to a quality alpaca sweater. For those of you already in the know, you have a PAKA sweater, hoodie, crew, socks, or hat that you are already wearing (probably at the moment you read this because it is never far away). If you are, look under the bottom hem, there you will find the name of the person that made the sweater handwritten in. While this is one of our favorite features of a PAKA sweater, the company is going even further into the transparency of its operation with PAKA Traceable Alpaca.
Trace your alpaca back to the source

When you buy a sweater from PAKA, you get more than a high-quality shirt that will last; you get the product of thousands of years of culture, knowledge, and craftsmanship. Living in the Andes Mountains for as long as people have populated the area, PAKA employs these creators to make every piece on its shelves. Thanks to a provided QR code, you can now trace exactly where your item came from. Just scan it and sit back, learning the process and origins of your favorite sweater.
PAKA Traceable Alpaca

Read more