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Crew Team: A Guide to Classic Sweatshirts

By Christopher Blomquist Updated August 6, 2021

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.)

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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…

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