Stylists Agree: You *Absolutely* Need These Hoodies For Cozy Season

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

Hoodies are a rare category of clothing that surpassed the world they once exclusively lived in. What started as mere loungewear has evolved into a powerful street style statement to define the very essence of cool—now appropriate for social outings and even business casual settings. You can thank Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande and the Kardashian crew for that. From layering under a winter coat, topping off your leggings and T-shirts, or pairing with a sweet pair of jeans, a hoodie can be incorporated to any outfit, making appear cooler, more casual and obviously more comfortable. I like to throw one on over a silky slip dress from Amazon or ruffled skirt for a juxtaposition of what I like to call "effortless-chic."

Hoodies come in all shapes and sizes and shopping for the best ones directly relate to their purpose, so a blind buy is not the recipe to success. As a fashion editor and celebrity stylist, I know a thing or two about the best hoodies for every style occasion. From an oversized fleece-lined option for cozy comfort, to a boxy fit to accentuate the waist, or a thin yet soft material for the best type of layering—there’s several boxes to check off when shopping for a new hoodie. Ranging from sportier styles for your active needs to luxe fashion statements, the hoodies shared ahead run the gamut of purpose. We'll cover crew neck styles, zip-ups, quarter crops, and more. Read on to discover the best hoodies and sweatshirts of 2023 for every style, purpose, and price point—perfect for your shopping cart through fall sweater season and beyond!

NeoKNIT Wedge Popover Hoodie

They key to the best crop hoodies is to strike a balance between a relaxed shoulder drop without feeling bulky. Not only does this style from Abercrombie's activewear line do just that, it nails the material too. It's sweat friendly with a nice sheen that feels modern and technical without compromising style.

Sprint to the Finish Hoodie

FP masters the art of slouchy fashion, making this oversized style feel as comfortable as wearing your favorite blanket. The adjustable drawstrings and drop-shoulder sleeves with banded hemlines give structure to this cozy bag.

Sierra Pullover

Lauren Moshi makes the most comfortable sweats on the planet. This pullover needs no break in period. It's out of package comfort that you'll never want to take off—and in the coolest designs. Pair them with your fave sweatpants or joggers for a cozy look.

Off-Duty Cashmere Hoodie

Affordable, long lasting cashmere isn't easy to find but Naadam specializes in it. This ultra soft hoodie can be dressed up like a sweater or down with sweats and denim. It's thin enough to layer under blazers, jackets, and vests and provides cozy warmth without the bulk.

Restore Half Zip Jacket Hoodie

Anyone that knows Vuori raves about how buttery soft their materials are. This half zip hoodie is made with organic brushed French terry for supremely soft comfort, breathability, and a fitted style.

Premium Fleece Oversized Hoodie

It's rare to achieve the oversized effect in a zip hoodie without feeling like you're swimming in materials, but Victoria's Secret nails it. The cotton-polyester blend feels luxurious with just enough weight, giving texture and shape to the relaxed silhouette. This is true to size.

Accolade Hoodie

Alo Yoga' Accolade Hoodie feels like a flex every time you wear it. Sporting one of the hottest activewear logos right now on an oversized boxy fit gives a care free comfy (but rich) attitude. Size down if you prefer a more slim style of fit.

Black 1971 Speedway Crew Neck Sweatshirt

Pac Sun's crew neck sweatshirt is for when you want to be comfy in fleece but you don't want to look like you're entirely wearing sweats. The retro vintage design is like a graphic tee but make it winter.

Heritage Fleece Hoodie

J.Crew's Heritage Fleece Hoodie is the perfect combination of classic and cool. The fleece is super soft, cozy, and warm while the washed color puts a pop of fun fashion into your day. It's great for layering with denim, sneakers, loafers, and turtlenecks.

Classic Hoodie

The quickest way to achieve the Kardashian sweatpants look is to buy Skims. Even in a full on grow-fit, they somehow appear so sleek and put together. The fit of this style is pristine, updated with a roomier neck, longer length, and their softest fleece yet.

365 Heavyweight Hoodie

Pangaia is known for a super modern yet minimal design, recycled materials and natural dyes. The 365 Heavyweight Hoodie is bold, bright, and one of the most comfortable toppers you'll ever wear.

Core Hoodie

Elwood hoodies are like no other. The material is durable and structured but not bulky. It's a cult-favorite, in-the-know brand that exudes a certain type of coolness. Rooted in skate culture with a laidback vibe, this logo-less hoodie somehow feels hot.

Sports Printed Cotton-Jersey Sweatshirt

This half-zip gives 90s country club tennis match and we're here or it. The collar feels sophisticated while the zip adds breathability and the lining is made of a luxurious fleece.

Reverse Weave Oversized Fleece Crewneck

Sometimes the best sweats are the simplest. Champion's Crewneck sweatshirt is a must-have Amazon purchase. It's affordable, cozy, and is cool enough to run around in. It has over 1,000 perfect reviews on Amazon so you know it's worthy of your shopping cart.

Scuba Oversized Funnel Neck Half-Zip

Lululemon's Scuba fabrics are truly the best for any type of gym run or light activity. It gives lightweight warmth that feels a little more polished than a traditional hooded sweatshirt. The cut is oversized and roomy without feeling too cropped or too long.

Feel Good Mini Zip-up Hoodie

The coolest hoodies feel structured but slightly lived in with a vintage effect, and this fleece is a top selling product for that reason. Not only does it come in a wide array of colors (so you'll want to pick up a few), it's ultra soft, cozy and perfectly mid-weight without bulk. Plus, the crop is slight so you're not showing off too much skin.

5-Stripe Zip Hoodie

If you've spent anytime in Southern California, you know that Aviator Nation is all the rage. And if you ever wonder if Aviator Nation sweats live up to the hype, the answer is yes. The design is feels luxe with a lightweight fleece lined interior. Each piece is thin but warm, making it appropriate for chilly nights, but not super cold weather. With each wash, each piece feels more lived in—the epitome of California cool.

Vintage Soft Hoodie

Gap hoodies need no explanation of how iconic they are, but this Vintage Soft Hoodie is in improvement to the OG logo style we all know and love. It's softer, feels more broken in, and it comes in a variety of cool colors ranging from neutral to statement and of course a few logo versions.

Cropped Hoodie

The best cropped hoodies juxtapose the length with a roomy neck and arms. This one from House-ID is made from heavyweight cotton, feels extra soft, and is the perfect topper for activities. It's performance ready but cozy enough to lounge in.

Classics Fleece Hoodie

MadHappy is a buzzy internet brand that makes the coolest, high quality, luxury hoodies with an underlying positive message prioritizing mental haelth and open conversation.

The Classic Fleece is made with combed cotton which feels light in weight while appearing heavy duty. Design details like the hood stitch and ribbed cuffs make it feel extra special.

What to Look for in hoodies

The most important thing to consider are the materials and fit. The goal is to strike the perfect balance of soft, cozy, plush and shape. Cotton is likely the most breathable material, but most hoodies come in a cotton/polyester blend. In these cases, look for higher cotton percentages. Jersey or elastane add a sportier element to any hoodie making it stretchier and performance ready.

How we selected the best hoodies for women

Vanessa Powell is a seasoned stylist and fashion writer with more than a decade of experience. Previously, she was a fashion editor for People Magazine and Health Magazine, and has styled celebrities including Sydney Sweeney, Bailee Madison, Hilary Duff, and more. For this story, she evaluated over 80 hoodies that she's personally tested and styled with in the past year, judging their fit, comfort level, and just how great they looked. She regularly uses most of the hoodies on this list.

Shop more of our athleisure essentials

Comfortable Sneakers | Exercise Dresses | High-Waisted Leggings | High-Impact Sports Bras | Joggers | Yoga Pants

You Might Also Like

• Jennifer Garner Swears By This Retinol Eye Cream

• These New Kicks Will Help You Smash Your Cross-Training Goals