Stay Comfy with These Women’s Sweatshirts

A sweatshirt is defined as a type of pullover that is loose-fitting with long sleeves and close-fitting cuffs. They’re usually made of soft and absorbent fabrics. Sweatshirts were originally designed to be worn during workouts and athletic endeavors for warmth or to encourage sweating, but due to their loose fit and softness, they’ve become a common item of clothing for lounging and everyday wear as well. Many people use the terms “sweatshirt” and “hoodie” interchangeably, but this isn’t completely accurate. A hoodie is a hooded sweatshirt often with drawstrings, a large front pocket, and sometimes a full-length zipper. In other words, all hoodies are sweatshirts, but not all sweatshirts are hoodies. If you’re looking to buy a women’s sweatshirt for yourself, a friend, or a loved one, here are a few we recommend.

What to Consider in a Women’s Sweatshirt

Here are a few things to think about before buying a sweatshirt:

• Fabric: As mentioned, all sweatshirts will be made of a soft and absorbent material. Cotton, cotton jersey, and cotton blends, usually with polyester, are the most common fabrics. Polyester sweatshirts are also quite common. Some of the more athletically oriented sweatshirts may be blended with spandex. Cold-weather sweatshirts may also be lined with fleece or similar material for extra warmth.
• Weight: Like many other items of clothing, sweatshirts can be lightweight or heavyweight or somewhere in between. Most sweatshirts and hoodies will weigh somewhere between 6.5 and 10.5 ounces. Generally, the heavier the sweatshirt, the warmer it will be. Some people prefer the additional warmth of a heavier sweatshirt; others want the additional layer of a lighter sweatshirt that doesn’t add extra bulk.
• Design: There are hundreds of colors and designs to choose from when picking a sweatshirt. There are solid colors, multicolored options, tie-dyes, patterns like stripes, team or school logos, single prints like hearts or trees, and more. There are also some that will have patterns or designs or extra colors just on the sleeves. Some colors, like navy or gray, will be more common than others. You can also have the design choice between a full-length zipper, lace-up, and raw split V-neck to add small stylistic variety.

Top Choice: Hanes Women’s V-Notch Sweatshirt

This quintessential long-sleeved, pullover women’s sweatshirt has all the softness and comfort they’re known for. Made of 50% cotton and 50% polyester (up to 5% made out of recycled plastic bottles) has a mid-weight of 7.5 ounces, comfortable for just about any temperature and climate. The sweatshirt is designed to sit just below your waistline. The ribbed hem and cuffs are designed to hold their shape, while the V-notch stitching provides a small, subtle stylistic detail. The sweatshirt also has high stitch density in order to prevent piling and is tag-free for bonus, itch-free comfort. It’s machine washable for your convenience and comes in 12 colors and five size options from S to XXL.

Most Size Options: Carhartt Women’s Clarksburg Sweatshirt

This hoodie-style sweatshirt comes in a wide array of sizes, including several plus sizes. Sizing starts at XS and extends up to 3XL Plus for a total of 12 sizes. The cotton-polyester blend weighs in at 10.5 ounces for a thick, cozy pullover that will keep you warm in colder temperatures. The relaxed fit, the attached three-piece hood with drawstrings, and the front pouch pocket combine functionality and comfort in one sweatshirt. It’s also machine washable and comes in black, navy, henna heather, or fudge heather shades.

Best Athletic: Hanes Sport Women’s Performance Pullover

Plenty of people like to wear sweatshirts for outdoor or even indoor workouts, from running to yoga to rock climbing. This hoodie-style, pullover sweatshirt is specifically designed for athletic activities. The 100% polyester fabric is nice and cool, able to wick away sweat to keep you dry, comfortable, and sweat-free during even your most intense workouts. The high-low hem provides a modern, slightly asymmetrical look while also providing you extra coverage for your peace of mind. The drawstring cord lets you adjust the hood so that it stays on your head while you exercise, and the large front pouch gives you a convenient place to store your personal belongings. This sweatshirt is machine washable for your convenience and comes without a tag, so there won’t be any scratching or itching during your workout. It’s available in three colors, one multicolored option, and five different sizes.

Best Design: SweatyRocks Women’s Casual Print Sweatshirt

Sweatshirts can even be a fashionable piece of everyday clothing. If you want a sweatshirt that provides a more stylish look, this graphic sweatshirt provides multiple cute and colorful design options. There are 18 total choices, ranging from solid-colored sweatshirts with a heart or rose logo to multiple tie-dyed colors. Made of polyester blended with a touch of spandex to give it some stretch, this pullover sweatshirt has long sleeves and a drop shoulder for a charming look that will go well with any leggings, jeans, or shorts. The drawstrings allow you to adjust the hood to better fit your head and neck, while the kangaroo-style front pocket gives you a convenient place to keep your hands warm or store plenty of belongings. Weighing around 10.5 ounces, this sweatshirt is both warm and cozy as well as cute. Sizes range from XS to XL.