Skip to content
Fashion glossary

What is a sweatshirt: types, materials, and what to wear it with

Olena Kovalenko 2 min read

What is a sweatshirt?

Sweatshirt — is a spacious knitted sweater with long sleeves, originally created as an element of sports equipment for keeping warm.

Read also our full guide: Types of Sweaters: How to Choose the Perfect Knitwear
Толстовка - 1
The texture of dense cotton fleece with a looped backing and knitted ribbing.

Historically, the term is associated with the loose men's shirt worn outside (kosovorotka), as worn by the writer Leo Tolstoy. In modern Russian, the meaning of the word has evolved, and it has become a generic term for various types of sportswear.

Traditionally, sweatshirts are made from dense knit fabric. Most commonly used are fleece with a soft brushed interior or looped backing, as well as fleece, which provides a high degree of thermal insulation.

Main types

Modern fashion distinguishes several independent styles, united by the general concept of a sweatshirt.

Толстовка - 2
Classic grey loose fit hoodie with kangaroo pocket.

Hoodie It's a hooded sweatshirt. This style typically has no fastenings and is complemented by a solid "kangaroo" patch pocket on the stomach.

Толстовка - 3
Burgundy sweatshirt with a round neck and elastic cuffs without additional details.

Sweatshirt — a minimalist style without a hood, pockets, or zippers. It features a round neckline and thick ribbed cuffs and hem.

Zip-up hoodie — a variation of the hooded sweatshirt, equipped with a pass-through zipper at the front. Its design allows it to be worn either zipped or unzipped over T-shirts or tops.

What to combine with

The sweatshirt easily integrates into your wardrobe thanks to its variety of textures and cuts.

For a casual, sporty look, pair a monochrome sweatshirt with joggers in the same fleece, chunky sneakers, and a baseball cap.

Толстовка - 4
Pair a basic hoodie with a classic blazer, straight-leg jeans and loafers for a smart-casual look.

Smart casual style utilizes textures. A basic, solid-color hoodie is worn under a structured, classic blazer, a straight-cut trench coat, or a wool coat paired with straight-leg jeans.

A feminine contrast is achieved by pairing a voluminous top with lightweight bottoms. An oversized sweatshirt is paired with a flowing lingerie-style skirt (slip skirt) or pleated skirt, and rugged leather boots complete the look.

Какие ошибки в стиле ты допускаешь?

Честный тест: узнай свои слабые места в гардеробе и как их исправить

About the author

O
Olena Kovalenko

Stylist with 14 years of experience. Specializes in capsule wardrobes and seasonal style transitions. Has helped over 500 women find their personal style and dress with confidence every day.

Try MioLook
for free

Start creating perfect outfits with artificial intelligence

Get started free