Our Favorite Crewnecks for Retro Winter Style

Best Crewneck Sweatshirts

Our Favorite Crewnecks for Retro Winter Style

Menswear these days is about lots of things getting flipped on their head or turned around, and the best crewneck sweatshirts are a pretty spot-on example of this. The crewneck sweatshirt was most commonly a gym-going staple, with a sturdy collar, cuffs at the wrist and waist to ensure a snug fit, and a V-shaped stitch at the collar (to help with elasticity and to absorb sweat).

What does this all have to do with wearing a crewneck sweatshirt stylishly these days? Well, actually, quite a lot. You see, crewneck sweatshirts are now being made for plenty of places beyond the gym (although it’s still clear to see why Rocky trusted the humble crewneck decades ago). Crewneck sweatshirts are made with more vibrant colors, better fabric and the still-classic design touches you need (like the V-stitching at the collar).

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But they’re all the more versatile, seeing as how so many stylish guys now wear athletic staples like tapered jogger sweatpants outside the office. Trust us, we’ve worn plenty of crewneck sweatshirts in the process of layering up for winter. You can wear your crewneck sweatshirt for weekend lounging, but you can also add it into your next office look beneath an unstructured tan herringbone blazer in place of a V-neck sweater. The styling choices are yours, so use these picks for the best crewneck sweatshirts to get your next winter look in order.

Todd Snyder x Champion Midweight Pocket Sweatshirt

Todd Snyder x Champion

The crewneck sweatshirt first started coming back into vogue about a decade ago, when designers like the Midwest-born Todd Snyder took the staples of their youth and made them into pieces stylish guys in major cities would want to wear. That’s why we still love it (and wear it ourselves) as often as possible. His ongoing partnership with Champion hits all the right details, from the traditional V-stitched collar to the addition of a visually interesting chest pocket. Pick from a range of cooler-than-average colors, and layer this one atop an Oxford shirt or underneath a flannel workshirt for cozy, rugged warmth.

$127 at ToddSnyder.com

Relwen Micro Waffle Crew

Relwen

Some crewneck sweatshirts go all-in on more athletic details, but Relwen has taken a slightly different approach that makes it no less worthy of your wardrobe. They’ve modeled this thermal crewneck sweatshirt off something you might find at a basecamp or worn far afield, with an oversized and highly useful snap chest pocket, plus a super soft cotton jersey fabric interior. It’s the kind of crewneck made to be worn with cozy sweatpants on the weekend in front of the fire, but you can also wear it beneath a waxed lined jacket when winter adventures come calling.

$89.98 at Huckberry.com

Flint and Tinder Speckle Fleece Crew

Flint and Tinder

The good folks at Flint and Tinder (one of the in-house brands at lauded San Fran retailer Huckberry, your one-stop shop for rugged gear) have done it again. This cotton-blend crewneck hits on timeless crewneck sweatshirt details, like the diagonal raglan-sleeve stitching for ease of movement, not to mention textured fabric. The real icing on the cake? Off-the-wall, 1970s-esque colors like Straw Yellow.

$78 at Huckberry.com

Goodlife Micro Terry Crew Sweatshirt

Goodlife

Super-soft fabric has long been the name of the game with Goodlife, the brand that makes ultra-comfortable tees, sweatpants and of course, this crewneck sweatshirt. The soft stretch fabric makes it easy to layer over a Goodlife tee or henley, while sharp colorways like the brand’s Goodlife Navy inject a shot of office-ready style into your casual layering (even if your office is at home these days).

$58.40 at Nordstrom.com

Amazon Essentials French Terry Crewneck Sweatshirt

Amazon Essentials

When you need reliable shipping and reliable gear at a moment’s notice, Amazon has a clothing line for you. The aptly named Amazon Essentials line won’t break the bank, and it’s a wise move if you want to try out wearing a crewneck sweatshirt in place of a V-neck sweater. The lightweight French terry cotton provides plenty of layering ability. Wear this one atop a thermal shirt and beneath a waxed trucker jacket for weekend outings from brunch to coffee. At that price, go right ahead and pick up more than one.

From $17.28 at Amazon.com

L.L. Bean Quilted Crewneck Sweatshirt

L.L. Bean

L.L. Bean takes what you thought you knew about the crewneck sweatshirt and turns it on its head, using a quilted design blending layering-ready polyester with cotton. It’s an ideal sweatshirt to wear outdoors on day hikes or as a mid-layer hauling brush or taking care of winter yard work. Of course, in true retro fashion, it features an eye-catching chest logo patch, just like you might have seen on the brand’s gear over the years.

$64.95 at Nordstrom.com

Gildan Fleece Crewneck Sweatshirt

Gildan

Gildan has been a trusted name in crafting athletic gear for decades, which is why it’s so hard to pass up its trusted and best-selling crewneck sweatshirt. Sure, you can wear a timeless sweatshirt like this to work out or on camping or hiking trips, but why wouldn’t you wear it underneath a sherpa jacket as an added, rugged layer on blustery winter nights at your favorite watering hole? Again, the unbeatable price also makes it tough to pass up.

From $8.56 at Amazon.com

Adidas Originals Trefoil Crewneck Sweatshirt

Adidas

One of the biggest keys in embracing the retro style you get from a crewneck sweatshirt? Really leaning into the “throwback vibes,” the kind of nostalgic feeling you get when you see the Adidas Trefoil logo – for instance. This understated sweatshirt is the kind you can wear casually with faded jeans when you want to inject a bit of an old-school look into your winter ensembles. It’s simple, sure, but it shows you know how to embrace a trend without going overboard.

From $41.94 at Amazon.com

Fruit of the Loom Sofspun Fleece Sweatshirt

Fruit of the Loom

We trust Fruit of the Loom to round out our basics drawer, from tees to boxer briefs, and we’d bet you feel the same way. Turn to the famed brand to outfit you in another way for winter with this super-soft, aptly named fleece sweatshirt. Featuring that classic V-notch detailing at the neck, you’ve got the run of the mill in terms of color options (we like Royal Blue to shake up the drab days of winter).

From $12.97 at Amazon.com

Carhartt Crewneck Pocket Sweatshirt

Carhartt

Carhartt has been a trusted brand in the workwear space for years, with gear made to brave chilly winters in Michigan (and now, worldwide). But they’re also a brand that’s grown in mainstream popularity as more consumers turn to workwear in their everyday lives. So, what does that mean for you? It means this Carhartt sweatshirt is both classic and ready for work, yet perfectly well-suited for off-duty wear with dark indigo jeans and broken-in leather lace-up boots.

From $38.24 at Amazon.com

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