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Throwing on an oversized hoodie is a great way to stay warm and comfy while looking effortlessly cool—just look at Zoe Kravitz shopping in SoHo or Ariana Grande, well, always. But finding the best sweatshirt (a.k.a. not your threadbare college souvenir) can take time and countless returns.
Luckily, we’ve had tried hundreds of hoodies, crewnecks, and quarter-zips over the years. Here, we’re sharing our classic favorites and some newer SELF-approved styles, all tested by our team of 11 editors (who wear sizes S to XXL). After putting in the hours lounging, sleeping, shopping, and working out in these sweatshirts, we’re confident they’re the cream of the crop.
Our top picks
- Best Overall: Lululemon Scuba Oversized Funnel-Neck Half Zip, $118
- Best Budget Pick: Champion Crewneck Sweatshirt, $60
- Best Splurge: Anine Bing Spencer Sweater, $200
- Best Hoodie: Nike by TOGETHXR Everyone Watches Sports Pullover Hoodie, $100
- Best Oversized Hoodie: Abercrombie Essential Popover Hoodie, $80
- Best Quarter Zip: Athleta Forever Fleece ¼ Zip Sweatshirt, $99
- Best Lightweight: Free People All Star Solid Pullover, $98
- Best for Travel: Spanx AirEssentials Half-Zip, $118
- Best Oversized Crewneck: Alo Accolade Crewneck Pullover, $128
Shop the best sweatshirts
Warning: These might be tough to take off.
Best Overall: Lululemon Scuba Oversized Funnel-Neck Half Zip
“This is everything that a sweatshirt should be: soft, roomy, and warm,” SELF's former commerce director, Abbey Stone, says. She adds that it’s designed with comfort in mind: “The waistband of this Lulu pullover is nice and loose—if you hold the sweatshirt up, you can see that its shape slightly flares at the bottom, rather than being a rectangle like most sweatshirts are (the culprit for dreaded tightness around my hips).”
Other small details really set this sweatshirt apart, like a high-quality metal zipper, ribbed panels under the arms that add stretch and texture, and a high collar that doesn’t feel too tight—even when it’s zipped all the way up (important!). Stone also appreciates that the long sleeves have thumbholes to cover her wrists—and that there’s a hidden opening for your phone inside the kangaroo pocket, to keep it from slipping out.
FYI: We noticed that the Scuba Half Zip runs large, so we recommend ordering your usual size (rather than sizing up). Our tester often wears a size large, so she ordered the XL/XXL for a cozy feel—turns out, it was a little too roomy.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Flares out at waistband for a roomier fit around your hips | May run large |
| Kangaroo pocket has a phone sleeve | |
| Metal zipper feels luxe |
Product specs
Material: Nylon, elastane, cotton, polyester | Sizes: XS/S to XL/XXL
Best Budget Pick: Champion Crewneck Sweatshirt
This simple sweatshirt is a staple, according to SELF's senior commerce writer, Sara Coughlin: “I love how not-flashy it is. It’s a crewneck. It’s black. It’s boxy and roomy,” she says. “It’s not reinventing the wheel by any means, but it goes with everything I own, has a wonderfully heavy-weight feel, and has lasted me years,” she adds.
Although it’s basic, this pullover still has some nice details, like ribbed wrist cuffs and a wide waistband. Plus, judging by our tester’s experience, it’s well worth the under-$60 price tag. “It honestly looks as good now as it did when I got it back in 2017 or 2018,” she says. “That’s another thing—Champion never goes out of style!”
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Simple design goes with everything | Amazon reviewers say some colors look different in person |
| Comfortable weight | |
| Comes in a bunch of colors |
Product specs
Material: Cotton, polyester | Sizes: XS to 3XL
Best Splurge: Anine Bing Spencer Sweater
Anine Bing's Spencer Sweater has truly made the rounds: They're everywhere online, and I've spotted my fair share of them IRL too. Turns out, their popularity isn't a fluke—they really are that good (and well worth the investment). “Anine Bing sweaters are amazing—especially the 100% cotton ones,” SELF's commerce director, Shanna Shipin, says. “My first sweater lasted for seven years of constant, consistent use and tons of washing—and tumble drying!”
Even better? While it feels perfectly slouchy and cozy, it's also breathable. “I tend to run cold—but since I live in a warm climate, I need sweaters that aren't lined with fleece, as that would be too hot for everyday wear,” Shipin says. Lightweight, oversized, and cool girl chic? Sign me up.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Durable (can be washed often) | Limited sizes |
| Not as heavyweight as some other options on this list | |
| 100% cotton |
Product specs
Material: Cotton, polyester | Sizes: XS to L
Best Hoodie: Nike by TOGETHXR Everyone Watches Sports Pullover Hoodie
This Nike hoodie has a message we can get behind. The fact that it's perfectly oversized, warm, and not too heavyweight? Just another bonus.
“My Togethxr sweatshirt is easily my favorite hoodie I own,” SELF's associate social media manager, Katie Gunderman, says. “I wear it around the house, running errands, and even dress it up when I'm out and about. I also never fail to get plenty of compliments on it from fellow women's sports fans!”
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Cute design | Color fades a little over time |
| Slightly oversized | |
| Has adjustable drawstrings in the hood |
Product specs
Material: Cotton, spandex | Sizes: XXS to XXL
Best Oversized Hoodie: Abercrombie Essential Popover Hoodie
We also love this no-frills Abercrombie hoodie, which has an extra roomy fit. The kangaroo pocket is the perfect size to drop your phone into, while the oversized hood is deep enough to accommodate a ponytail, bun, or claw clip (just ask our tester, senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin). “I can even wear the hood with my hair up!” she says, adding that the sweatshirt is “super warm and fleecy inside.”
She also notes that this hoodie runs large, so you may want to order your usual size (instead of sizing up).
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Lots of colors and designs to choose from | No drawstrings to adjust the hood |
| Comes in tall sizes | Runs large |
| Extra deep hood |
Product specs
Material: N/A | Sizes: XXS to XXXL
Best Quarter Zip: Athleta Forever Fleece ¼ Zip Sweatshirt
“I literally lived in this all winter long and can’t recommend it enough,” Dana Leigh Smith, vice president and content lead at Condé Nast Health, confesses. “The quarter zip neckline looks presentable on Zoom calls, while the long length gives cozy vibes.” With regular, tall, and petite sizes available, this sweatshirt will cover your butt without drowning you in fabric.
While our tester loved wearing it around the house, she says it also comes in handy for running errands and walking her dog because it has a barely noticeable kangaroo pocket that’s large enough to hold her phone or keys. Plus, it’s “super fuzzy and warm, but doesn’t feel heavy,” Leigh Smith says, so it can be your grab-and-go jacket on chilly mornings.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Large kangaroo pocket | Some Athleta reviewers say it runs large |
| Comes in regular, tall, and petite sizes |
Product specs
Material: Cotton, polyester, spandex | Sizes: XXS to 3X
Best Lightweight: Free People All Star Solid Pullover
This crewneck is the perfect blank canvas for any outfit. The interior is terry cloth instead of warm fleece, so it layers well under a denim jacket without suffocating me. I also really appreciate the relaxed waistband—it has slits, so it doesn’t sit tight around my hips. And one of my favorite features has to be the hidden side pockets, which blend right in with the sweatshirt's side seams.
I typically wear a size medium or large in tops, but Free People is known for oversized fits, so I went with a medium (spoiler: it fits perfectly). I just wish it was a little longer, to cover more of my butt when I wear leggings.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Lightweight | Not very warm |
| Doesn’t hug your hips | May run large |
| Comes in a lot of colors |
Product specs
Material: Cotton, polyester | Sizes: XS to XL
Best for Travel: AirEssentials Half Zip
Not to be dramatic, but when I first tried this Spanx half-zip on, it blew my mind. The Tencel modal fabric is incredibly soft on the outside, but smooth and almost cool to the touch on the inside—perfect for anyone who runs hot. It also looks super sleek on, thanks to the long collar that folds over and seams that run up the sides to give the sweatshirt more structure. I’d wear it pretty much everywhere—to work, the airport, or a casual dinner.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Sleek design | Pricey |
| Breathable fabric | |
| Super soft, smooth feel |
Product specs
Material: Tencel, modal, polyester | Sizes: XS to 3X
Best Oversized: Alo Accolade Crewneck Pullover
Paired with biker shorts, Alo’s Accolade Crewneck is serving sporty casual vibes, a la Princess Diana. A 2023 SELF Activewear Award winner, it’s already oversized, but you can still size up for an even slouchier silhouette.
Our testers loved the pre-worn feel that comes from its light French terry: “It’s the perfect weight to throw over a sports bra when you’re commuting to and from your workout,” one said. “The inside is soft, and it’s roomy, but not so much that it looks frumpy."
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Roomy fit | Colors come and go quickly |
| Medium weight |
Product specs
Material: Cotton, polyester | Sizes: XXS to 2XL
More great sweatshirts
Some of these sweatshirts have rave reviews, while we’re currently testing others to make sure they live up to the online hype. Either way, we still think they’re worth considering.
Vuori Halo Performance Hoodie 2.0
Plenty of SELF staffers swear by Vuori’s activewear (I live in the AllTheFeels Leggings, and our fitness director loves the Performance Joggers), so we’re not surprised that the Halo Performance Hoodie 2.0 has so many fans. It’s made with polyester, a synthetic material that’ll wick moisture away from your body to keep you cool. Plus, it's thin and stretchy, making it a great layer for sweaty activities like hiking or playing tennis.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Sweat-wicking | May run large, according to REI reviewers |
| Comes in a lot of colors |
Product specs
Material: Polyester, elastane | Sizes: XXS to XXL
Skims Cotton Fleece Classic Zip Up Hoodie
Skims continues to recruit die-hard fans—including our senior commerce editor, who can’t get enough of the brand’s Fits Everybody Scoop Bralette—and you might be a convert too, after trying this zip-up hoodie. We’re more impressed by what this sweatshirt doesn’t have: There are no weird seams, obnoxious branding, clunky zippers, or chunky drawstrings. It’s plain as can be, in a very chic way.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Zipper matches the fabric | Limited color range |
| Wide size range |
Product specs
Material: Cotton, polyester | Sizes: XXS to 4X
Aritzia Sweatfleece Cozy Fleece Mega Raglan Hoodie
This is the gray hoodie I’ve been wanting my whole life. I love that it has raglan sleeves, meaning the seams run from the armpit up to the collar bone rather than off the shoulder, because it gives the sweatshirt a much better shape than others I’ve worn in the past. Also, it runs large and the waistband is relaxed, so it sits on my hips without digging into them.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Comes in a bunch of colors | Runs very large |
| Loose waistband | On the pricey side |
| Deep hood |
Product specs
Material: Cotton, polyester, elastane | Sizes: 2XS to 2XL
What to consider when shopping for the best sweatshirt
To help you find a sweatshirt you’ll wear on repeat, we recommend keeping these factors in mind.
Style
On our list, you’ll find hoodies, crewnecks, quarter-zips, half-zips, and full-zips. Crewnecks are nice to nap in, since they don’t have a hood or zippers, while full-zips are easier to slip on and off. The choice comes down to your personal style, how you like to layer, and how much room you have in your closet.
Fit
An oversized sweatshirt feels extra cozy when all you want to do is sink into the couch and binge-watch Love Island. But if you’re going on a run or bundling up with a coat over your sweatshirt, you might want something more fitted. Either way, double-checking reviews to see if your pick runs true to size is always a good idea.
Material
Most high-quality sweatshirts are made from natural fibers (like cotton) that are woven into a thick, heavyweight fabric, Preeti Arya, an assistant professor in the textile and marketing department at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), tells SELF. You might also see options made from French terry—another great material, Arya says, because it’s warm, durable, and mostly made of cotton. But if you’re looking for a sweatshirt you can sweat in, go for a synthetic, moisture-wicking fabric like polyester instead.
How we tested the best sweatshirts
The SELF team has tested dozens of sweatshirts. It doesn't matter what style—hoodie, crewneck, quarter zip—if it's comfy, we want it in our closets. So, when it came time to name the best sweatshirts, I asked around to see which sweatshirts our editors reach for over and over again. These are the ones we can't live without—if we lost them, they'd be an instant repurchase.
Related:
- Super-Soft Robes To Make Your Mornings More Luxurious
- Comfy, Supportive Bralettes You’ll Want to Wear Every Single Day
- Office-Friendly Sneakers You Can Add to Your Workwear Rotation
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