22 Cooler-Than-Cool Crewneck Sweatshirts to Add to Your Closet
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MAKE NO mistake: Crewneck sweatshirts are a menswear wardrobe essential, not merely a streetwear trope as perceived by some abominable stereotypes. In fact, men's crews are what the rebels as well as the bourgeoisie wear, what the Funkytown and the townhouse people shop for. Why? Versatility, folks—they're as much style as they are substance. Layer a crewneck sweatshirt over a workout shirt and jogger on chilly mornings for running errands, or wear it on its own to boast your minimalist style or good eyes for graphic prints. Moreover, in those unexpected cold weather, they will come in clutch since the best crewneck sweatshirts for men are often made from cozy cotton.
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You certainly already have a crewneck sweatshirt stuffed at the bottom of your dresser, but we implore you to add a few better ones that you'll actually want to wear. Some of today's best men's clothing brands have updated this staple to a sleeker profile with impressive details, while some have a vintage feel; but the best crews for men often come with functionalities made for all kinds of weather. They're rugged and stout on the outside, yet internally warm and caring. Hence, from sportswear-inspired to performance-minded to handsomely designed, we present the 22 best crewneck sweatshirts for men below from hands-on experience and years of wearing.
Best Sweaters | Best Hoodies | Best Zip-Up Hoodies | Best Puffer Jackets | Best Leather Jackets | Best Parkas | Best Winter Vests
Interloop Crew Sweatshirt
This crewneck has the feel of your college varsity crewneck and the sophisticated look of a Ph.D. professor, thanks to the dense, mid-weight cotton French terry that's also pre-washed for a lived-in feel. The shape holds up extremely well, even after multiple washes. From the first wear, it has that broken-in texture that will make you reach for it over and over again.
Sur Sweatshirt
The Sur Sweatshirt is ideal for when you want to look a little bit more sophisticated but still want to look like you. The blend of organic cotton and hemp, the ribbed lines, brushed back fleece—everything about it—makes it one you'll want to wear all day, with jeans and whatnot.
Midweight Pocket Sweatshirt
If you're in a sweatshirt rut because it's seemingly impossible to find the right look, well then, here's the right look—a timeless salt and pepper garment dyed piece. Plus, this crewneck is made with loopback French Terry and adorned with Archival Champion details such as a raglan sleeve and left chest pocket.
Logo-Appliquéd Cotton-Blend Jersey Sweatshirt
Here's a crew that flaunts its streetwear grit. It's a sure bet for lounging, WFH, light activities, and of course, showing off your style in a similarly toned sweatpant. (And who can resist this sand hue, really?) Just don't wait too long to grab it, Fear of God is notorious for selling out of each drop pretty quick.
The ReTrack Crewneck Sweatshirt
If you like more of an athletic fit, the ReTrack Crewneck Sweatshirt from Everlane is a great buy. Made from renewable materials and cleaner cotton with a classic crew neckline, this sweatshirt has that premium feel at a fraction of the cost and will look good on everyone.
ACE Crew Neck Sweatshirt
Mack Weldon's crew is, forgive us, all aces. Design-wise, it's elevated monochrome—and you'll love the stretchy rib side panels. Comfort-wise, where do we even begin? The Ace crew is made from the divinely soft micro-brushed French terry. It'll look great with every outfit you can possibly muster, and make you feel great on every possible day.
Men's Katahdin Iron Works Sweatshirt, Crewneck
L.L.Bean's take on the rugged crewneck sweatshirt is a visual delight. This option has high-quality texture and a slim-fit silhouette that will show off your build. But most importantly, the heavyweight fabric and brush interior keep you warm. So definitely toss this one in your bag before your next outdoor trip.
Heritage 14 oz. fleece sweatshirt
Here you'll find a crewneck made in hard-wearing, heavier-weight fleece and designed in a varsity-inspired profile. The traditional athletic cut ensures a snug fit that looks nice with everything. It's also cut on the cross grain which prevents shrinking and is capable of keeping you warm. And it will only look better the more you wear it.
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Renown Heavy Weight Crew Neck Pullover
There are sweatshirts that you wear out. Then there are sweatshirts that you wear at home. Alo's solidly belongs to the latter camp as a lounging essential. It's incredibly cozy and toasty with a ribbed texture and even comes a chill, drop shoulder fit. Round it out with the matching sweatpants, then you'll never have any regret about being a homebody.
Powerblend Fleece Crew, C Logo
Just like Champion's notoriously cozy hoodies, its fleece sweatshirts feel just as nice, thanks to its cotton-polyester blend that's smooth to the touch. But don't let its premium comfort fool you: the crewneck is tough and durable, and can stand up to stains and keep its shape after plenty of washes.
Surplus Waffle Crew
A waffle crewneck sweatshirt, simply put, is a thermal shirt. Faherty take on that cold season layering piece. This crewneck has soft and lightweight fabric that moves with you. The material is a bit thin that you might mistake it for an undershirt—which makes it easy to pair with any kind of outerwear and trousers. It also hugs the body for a more casual look that still feels elevated.
Engineered Warmth Long Sleeve Crew
Combining the eternal warmth and durability of merino wool and the four-way stretch fabric that attunes to your every move, Lululemon's crewneck is as winter-ready and outdoorsy as sweatshirts can get. The 3D knit texture also beefs up softness, making this thermal-regulating crew a boon for all those chilly, breezy days.
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Ponto Performance Crew
Vuori, the brand that has won the likes of Harry Styles, Zac Efron, Ben Affleck, and more, makes one of our favorite sweatshirts. It's moisture-wicking and quick-drying. Stretchy and warm. Workout-friendly and lounging-compatible. And it's made in Vuori's signature DreamKnit ™ fabric, earning its title as the world's softest crew—see that for yourself. Bonus: There's even a side zip pocket.
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Essential Crew Sweatshirt
For an option you can wear to run basic errands, we recommend the Essential Crew Sweatshirt from Abercrombie & Fitch, which is made with fabric that's soft AF. You can easily throw it on before an early morning run when the air is still cold and feel snug.
Textured-Jersey Sweatshirt
COS offers quiet luxury in their assortment of men's apparel. And the same applies for this crewneck sweatshirt made in a washed-blue hue. The body is crafted from textured cotton-blend jersey, while the cuffs, hem and neckline feature a neat ribbed finish. Whether you go for a casual look or smarten it with pants, this will be a classic piece in your wardrobe for seasons to come.
Men's Sportswear Tech Fleece Crew
Nike put a spin on this classic crewneck for a modern streetwear-inspired look. Made with sustainable materials, the laid-back piece is easy to wear alone for lounging or with outerwear. The contemporary feel and soft cotton material will cement this sweatshirt as a go-to airport 'fit—paired with joggers and some Nike sneakers for a uniform look.
365 Midweight Sweatshirt
Oh, to have Pangaia in our daily wardrobe lineup. The distinguished gentleman that you are. No really, even Harry Styles co-signed for the UK brand. Anywho, this genderless crewneck sweatshirt is perfect for going out on the town, running errands or curling up on the couch.
Loopback Sweatshirt
Sunspel is known for its iconic Loopback crew, but we actually think its Loopwheel sweatshirt is its best crew. Everything screams quality here, from the time-honored Japanese loopwheel knitting technique to the dreamlike softness to the subtle stitches to the sporty profile.
How Should a Crewneck Sweatshirt Fit?
A crewneck sweatshirt should fit close enough to your neck and body, but not completely skin tight. You want to have a bit of movement and room to layer underneath—not to mention, breathe. But at the end of the day, how you want your crewneck sweatshirt to fit is at your discretion. Crewneck sweaters come in a few styles: classic, slim-fit, oversized.
How To Style a Crewneck Sweatshirt
Whether you're aiming for a street-ready look or taking the formal route, the best crewneck sweatshirts should add comfort and versatility to your wardrobe. Check out some simple outfit ideas you can tie in with your new crewneck.
Dress It Up: Layer your crewneck over a button-down shirt and pair with some pants or chinos. The collar of shirt should hang outside the sweatshirt—folded downward. This particular fit could work for the office or date night.
Keep It Casual: Chill is always good, so dark jeans and sneakers would make a laid-back look come together. This style can take you from day to night.
Make It Business Casual: Show you mean business by putting a blazer on top of your crewneck sweatshirt—as long as it's not a rugged style. Choose a dark blazer if your crewneck is light and vice versa.
Why Trust Us
At Men's Health, we take great pride in providing our readers with reliable and trustworthy product recommendations. We believe that our readers deserve the best, which is why we always make sure to conduct thorough research and testing before making any recommendations.
In addition, we have a whole fashion closet in our NYC office dedicated to calling in, trying out, and selecting the best and newest menswear products. We put them on stylish, fit guys to hear their opinions and see how the items look on them before making our final decision. And as style editors, we constantly go into the fashion closet to test out the products.
Lastly, you can trust our opinions on shopping recommendations, whether it’s the products, styling tips, or trends. Not only do we have Fashion Director Ted Stafford and Deputy Editor, Commerce Christian Gollyan, but we also have a panel of style experts—including stylists, fashion influencers, designers, etc.—whom we regularly seek shopping guides from.
How We Selected
For the past few years, we consulted with Men's Health's Style editors on the top crewneck sweatshirts for men. We put more than 30 men’s crewneck sweatshirts to the test throughout all four seasons, evaluating each one with careful scrutiny. We paid particular attention every little detail, from the fabrics to the cut to the durability to the overall style, and made notes on what works and what doesn't live up to its promises. The list above represents our honest picks of the best crewneck sweatshirts for men in 2023.
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