Buying the Right Sweatshirt

A good sweatshirt isn't just a staple in your closet, it’s a necessity to every wardrobe. Whether it's for work, going on a hike, or just hanging out, a good sweatshirt is so integral. And while it seems straightforward, there are several types of sweatshirts, and knowing the difference can help you get the right one. Here we will break down the weight, fabrication, and function, and help you select the right sweatshirt for the right activity.

Lighter Weight:

Sweatshirts can vary greatly in weight, but the most common sweats you will find out there vary between 8 ounces (per square yard of fabric) to 14 ounces. While that 6-ounce difference doesn't sound like a lot, it does in fact make a big difference in feel when you put it on. The most common kinds of lightweight sweatshirts are a knitted face that's smooth and feels like cotton and the interior is a napped fleece; that is the fuzzy fabric inside. At Dave's, we carry a few pieces from the brand Jerzees, like their full-zip hooded sweatshirt in a 9-ounce, 50% cotton / 50% polyester blend. The blend gives it a lighter feel as well as a bit of softness to the inside that feels great as a layer on top of a t-shirt. This sweatshirt is pretty light and great as the weather changes from warm days to cooler evenings.

Midweight:

This is where you will find the bulk of the sweatshirts in our store. The midweight options are approximately 10-ounces fabric weight and they blend heft and comfort in a great way. While there are some differences from brand to brand, the 10-ounce weight is the go-to for everyday use. It's not too heavy or bulky as an under-layer, but has enough body to the sweatshirt that it can also be used as an outer layer. The versatility of a good 10-ounce sweatshirt is that it can go from morning to evening and stay comfortable. The two main sweatshirts that we have in our store is the Carhartt Midweight collection and the Dave's Vintage Logo sweatshirts. While they are both 10-ounces, they do differ slightly, so we will give you a quick breakdown of each.

The Carhartt Midweight sweatshirts come in several styles: a crew neck, a pullover hoodie, and full-zip sweatshirt. They are all made of the same open-end 10-ounce, 50% cotton/50% poly blend. They feature a smooth-front with a napped fleece interior for softness and comfort. The open-end cotton that is used in these sweatshirts is great for durability. It has a slightly rougher hand that helps it stand up to the rigors of a workday. The open-end cotton also gives the sweatshirt a bit of a stiffer feel, where you instantly feel a sense of toughness that can withstand a jobsite or a weekend journey.

We also have our line of Vintage Logo sweatshirts that come in a hoodie or in a crew neck. They are also 10 ounces in weight, but they are slightly different in how they are fabricated. The Dave's sweatshirts are made with something called three-end yarn that allows the outer part to be made with 100% ring-spun combed cotton for an unreal softness that you can feel immediately. The interior is a blend of 50% cotton/50% poly with a napped fleece back (like the Carhartt), but ours using the ring-spun cotton gives it a level of comfort that open-end cotton cannot. We also want to make it a great everyday sweatshirt, so we use a cotton jersey lining in the hoodie version so that the fleece stays off your head. We have found that this 10-ounce blend is a great weight for all-day use, and it has surprising durability for such a soft sweatshirt.

Heavyweight:

Heavyweight sweatshirts can range from 12 to 14 ounces in weight, or they may also feature a lining like thermal or sherpa. These pieces are more like top-layers when you don't want to wear a jacket, but definitely need to cover up. Carhartt has a line of sweatshirts in this weight range that are great for the colder, windy, and even wetter weather. Since these pieces are more like outerwear, they feature a DWR (durable water repellent) coating to help make them water-resistant. The series known to us (and formerly named by Carhartt) as the Paxton series is a set of pullover, full-zip, and half-zip hooded sweatshirts that are 13-ounce fabric and all feature that DWR coating. They are great as stand-alone outerwear pieces when you want flexibility and durability but don't want to wear a nylon or canvas jacket. The heavyweight series is rugged to the touch and has features like jersey-lined hoods, heavier zippers, security pockets, and heavy rib-knit cuffs and waistband. 

We also put the insulated sweatshirts in this category that feature a mid-weight fabric combined with an insulated lining that help keep you warm in the coldest weather. The lined sweatshirts can usually take you down to almost freezing temps, and they are especially great when worn over a flannel or even a midweight sweatshirt. The insulated sweatshirts that we carry either have sherpa lining or thermal lining, and they are both zipper-front sweatshirts so that they can easily get over the other layers that you have on. If you are out in the winter and need something to help protect you from the cold, but also need the comfort and flexibility of a cotton sweatshirt, then an insulated zipper-hoodie may be the best choice for you.

There are definitely many different options when it comes to sweatshirts, and there are even more options in our store than what are listed here. Having a few options in different weights or styles can make any of your sweats your go-to. Depending on what you are going to do that day, you may need comfort, durability, or warmth. The goal isn't to have more, but to be prepared so that you can be confident in what you are wearing.

SHOP OUR SWEATSHIRT COLLECTION

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us at info@davesnewyork.com or stop by our store and chat with our staff.