Men's Sweatshirts and Hoodies

Men's sweatshirts and hoodies are the pieces that carry the most weight in a cold-weather wardrobe — literally and figuratively. This edit covers crew necks, half-zips and hooded styles in brushed-fleece cotton at weights that actually keep you warm, in colourways that work across the full wardrobe without demanding attention.

Sweatshirt or hoodie: how to choose

The choice between a sweatshirt and a hoodie is mostly about context and layering. A men's crew neck sweatshirt — with a clean collar, no hood and a straight hem — is the more considered piece: it layers under a jacket without the hood bunching at the collar, works in more formal casual contexts and reads as deliberate rather than sporty. The men's hoodie is more relaxed in its silhouette and carries more of a casual identity — the kangaroo pocket, the drawstring and the hood make it the right choice for weekends, travel and anywhere a jacket isn't required. The half-zip sweatshirt sits between the two: the collar adds a layer of detail, the zip gives ventilation control and it layers cleanly under an overshirt or a nylon shell.

Fabric weight and what it means in practice

Weight is the specification that matters most in men's sweatshirts and hoodies. Between 280 and 320 g/m² is the range where a sweatshirt becomes genuinely warm rather than just a thicker t-shirt — the brushed-fleece interior traps air against the body and holds warmth through a full day in a Soho office or a long walk through Portobello. Below that weight, a sweatshirt is a transitional piece for mild evenings; above it, it replaces a light jacket. The exterior surface matters too: a smooth face resists light wind better than a heavily textured one, and pilled surfaces mean the cotton wasn't tightly enough spun from the start.

How to wear men's sweatshirts and hoodies

A men's crew neck sweatshirt in grey or navy with dark straight jeans and clean white trainers is the most direct everyday combination — the sweatshirt does its job without demanding styling decisions. Under a denim jacket or an overshirt, the crew neck is visible at the collar and adds a considered layer without bulk. The hoodie with cargo trousers and chunky trainers is the most relaxed version of the format; with dark slim jeans and leather trainers, the same hoodie moves closer to the city. A half-zip men's sweatshirt worn with the zip open halfway, over a plain t-shirt and under a waxed cotton or nylon jacket, is the mid-layer combination that works best in the unpredictable London autumn.

Construction and durability

Pepe Jeans London has been building garment quality since 1973 and the men's sweatshirts and hoodies in this range reflect that: ring-spun cotton that resists pilling after repeated washes, double-stitched side seams that keep the body panel in shape, and ribbed cuffs and hem in double-weight cotton that retain their elasticity through a full season of wear. Printed graphics are applied to withstand washing without cracking at the edges; embroidered logos sit flat against the chest without pulling the fabric. These are sweatshirts built to last more than one winter.

How do I size a men's sweatshirt or hoodie?

Use your chest measurement as the primary reference. For sweatshirts you plan to layer under a jacket, go up one size. The hoodie can feel slightly more generous through the body than a crew neck in the same size due to the added fabric at the hood — if you prefer a clean fit on the hoodie, consider sizing down. Check the shoulder width in the size guide if you're broad across the shoulders.

How do I wash men's sweatshirts and hoodies without them shrinking?

Inside out at 30°C, gentle cycle, no tumble dryer. Cotton fleece can shrink in length on the first wash if washed at high temperature — keeping to cold or cool water prevents this. Air dry hanging from the hem, not the shoulders, to avoid the collar stretching. Iron inside out on a low heat if needed — never directly on a printed graphic.

Can men's sweatshirts and hoodies replace a jacket?

In mild conditions — between 12 and 18°C — a heavyweight sweatshirt or hoodie at 300 g/m² or above works as a single outer layer in a sheltered urban environment. Below that temperature or in wind and rain, it works best as a mid-layer under a shell or jacket. The half-zip is the most effective single-layer sweatshirt because the zip gives ventilation control that a crew neck doesn't.