“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.)
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)
French Terry Crew in Officer’s Blue by AMERICAN GIANT ($59)
Oh, L’Amour Sweatshirt by A.P.C. ($180)
Ray Sweatshirt by A.P.C. ($180)
Shine Sweatshirt by A.P.C. ($210)
French Terry Raglan Sleeve Sweatshirt by BROOKS BROTHERS RED FLEECE ($69.50)
Supima Cotton Crewneck Sweatshirt by BROOKS BROTHERS ($118)
Workshop Coho Sweatshirt in Granite by FINISTERRE ($82.50)
Reversible French Terry Sweatshirt by FLINT AND TINDER ($68)
Athletic French Terry Crew by GRAYERS ($53.98)
Brushed Loopback Terry Pullover by MICHAEL STARS ($128)
Apollo Crew by OUTERKNOWN ($285)
Crewneck in Navy by REIGNING CHAMP ($115)
Cove Ringer Sweatshirt by TAKUYA DUNCAN ($125)
Seville Orange 30 Year Sweatshirt by TOM CRIDLAND (£65 – approx. $81)
The Crewneck Classic Sweatshirt by UNIFORM ($38)
