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With more home and office working hybrids, men are desperately trying to find the balance between comfort while at the same time remaining presentable. Items like suits or formal shirts have become less of a necessity. But, that doesn't mean you should reach for the tatty joggers and t-shirt when the boss isn't looking.
The routine of actively getting ready in the morning (like we would for work) can switch our mindset and improve productivity and mental health. In the same way, picking the right clothing can make us look and feel more presentable.
A key piece that borders the line perfectly between functionality and comfort during work hours is the sweatshirt. Specifically a crewneck sweatshirt in grey, navy or black. Worn by iconic stars on the big screen like Steve McQueen (Great Escape) and John Travolta (Grease). It has a canny ability to look rugged, comfortable, relaxed and stylish all at the same time.
Much of this though is down to finding the right fit. Due to its chameleon-like ability to integrate into a man's outfit choices, it is still as popular as ever. More so with the explosion in athleisure. The result is every man and his gran is selling a sweatshirt and the quality doesn't always match up with the price.
Read on to find out how to style your sweatshirt and which menswear brands are the best to be buying from in 2022.
Manufactured in Japan their sweatshirts have raglan sleeves and come in 100% cotton. Due to the tighter neckline and double V, it is recommended to go one size up when buying.
Sweatshirts from British brand, Sunspel are crafted from soft loopback cotton. They have a neat silhouette with subtle detailing on the collar and cuffs.
Meaning "god from the machine" Deus produces culture-leading clothing. Their heavyweight 350gm cotton tops are in a standard raglan fit adorned with a Deus Tokyo Address print on the front and back.
The classic French terry sweatshirts from Arket are manufactured from a midweight 340gm cotton with ribbed trimmings. Available in five different colours the looped interior enables it to remain soft and airy.
A robust and heavyweight 480g loopback jersey cotton. Good Measure is manufactured in the UK with items produced on a limited run. This traditional fit sweatshirt has double thickness rib inserts and has been strengthened internally on the shoulders to last longer.
As part of the brand's foundation pieces collection, Uniform, it comes with a 365-day guarantee. To stand up to their claims of unrivalled durability, Everlane worked with a fabric expert to produce this deluxe French terry sweatshirt.
Sustainably made in the UK, Community Clothing was founded by Patrick Grant of Savile Row tailors Norton & Sons. The sweatshirts they sell are 470g premium thickness in 100% loopback cotton and are definitely built to last.
Expertly crafted on original 1920s 4-needle loop-wheel looms, this garment type is somewhat of a rarity in modern menswear. The classic sweater is made from 440gsm cotton and has contrasting white seams throughout.
An exact replica of an archival garment from the 1930s, this sweatshirt is made from ultra-soft fleece cotton. With a standard V neck detail and ribbed edges, it is as classic as they come.
The basic crewneck sweatshirt was made in Portugal from 100% fleece back jersey cotton. It has a washed vintage feel to it and a woven brand patch on the front.
The brand has used vintage American loopback machines to create this everyday grey sweatshirt. In a lighter weight French terry weave cotton, it is reasonably priced at the sub £30 mark.
The brand's name is an acronym for Truth, Symmetry, Pleasure, Taste and Recognition. This sweatshirt features a reproduction of the US Navy Seabees print and is a premium weight jumper, crafted from 100% Portuguese cotton.
When creating their sweatshirts, Sunray uses a loopwheel technique in their Japanese factory. It means every item takes 1 1/2 hours to be made, but the seamless finish on the torso will ensure it lasts longer than other jumpers.
Priding itself on crafting modern menswear essentials, this French terry sweat falls firmly into that camp. The brand works with some of the finest UK and European factories. This is an Italian cotton sweatshirt completed with their signature ottoman rib detail.
This is a lightweight sweatshirt made from sustainably sourced 100% organic cotton. The print design is a nod to the home of Finisterre and it would make an ideal mid-level layer.
Asket has produced this sweatshirt from a custom-developed, unbrushed loopback fabric made of 100% Egyptian cotton fibres. For the neckline, cuffs and bottom, they've personally developed a lycra-reinforced rib-knit that provides stretch without losing the garment's shape.
Taking a slightly different approach, Form & Thread uses a diagonal fleece as opposed to the traditional loopback fleece other brands might. The result is a cleaner and softer fabric crafted from a tightly knitted, long-staple yarn made from cotton farmed in the US.
Described by the brand as 'the perfect sweatshirt', it is handmade in Portugal from a heavyweight 400gsm cotton. The custom-made fabric has a classic unbrushed feel to the inside, while overall diagonal knit production makes the garment last longer. To get the ideal fit you can personalise the size and length for true work from home comfort.
A mix of cotton and polyester, this isn't the most sustainable sweatshirt on the list. But the heavyweight gauge and robust construction you come to expect from workwear specialist Carharrt mean it won't let you down.
