Soft and comfortable, sportswear-inspired yet thoroughly contemporary, the sweatshirt (and its hooded counterpart, the hoodie) has become a true staple of the modern man's wardrobe. Made from a beautiful, dense and durable jersey, it's even better.
From the classic heather grey sweatshirt to more contemporary styles, we've selected our favourite men's sweatshirt brands for every budget.
Discover our sweatshirts and hoodies, crafted from beautiful European and Japanese fabrics, with comfortable fits and careful attention to detail.
Designed as true everyday essentials, they’re easy to style and made to last, so you can enjoy wearing them for years to come.
When it comes to a sweatshirt, the fabric makes all the difference. We particularly like dense sweatshirt fabrics with good structure and plenty of texture—not smooth, but rather irregular or heathered.
Beyond aesthetics, a good sweatshirt fabric should also feel comfortable to wear and retain its shape over time, even after repeated wear and washing.
A sweatshirt is, by definition, a comfortable garment. We therefore pay close attention to the proportions of ours, aiming for a natural, comfortable fit that is neither too slim nor overly oversized.
On such a minimalist garment, the smallest details become particularly noticeable. We pay close attention to the ribbing at the collar, cuffs and hem. These details enhance comfort, give structure to the silhouette and should retain their shape over time.
As a French brand, we manufacture our garments in Europe, working with trusted workshops with whom we have built long-term relationships. We believe in being transparent about our choices, from the origin of our fabrics and our manufacturing partners to the technical details behind each piece.
Beyond our own collection, many brands make great T-shirts. We've selected our favourites across a range of price points to give you a clear idea of what to look for.
The brands are grouped into indicative price brackets, each representing a different market segment.
Here, you’ll mainly find fairly simple sweatshirt fabrics, often lighter in weight and sometimes blended with synthetic fibres. Some brands nevertheless offer well-executed fits and a great range of colours. It’s a good place to start if you’re looking for a simple, reliable sweatshirt.
Brands to know:
Arket, Carhartt, Colorful Standard, COS, Uniqlo.
Things get more interesting at this price point: denser sweatshirt fabrics, more nuanced heathered textures, more refined fits and greater attention to detail. You’ll also find more European—and even French—manufacturing, as well as a few heritage sweatshirt specialists.
Brands to explore:
Asket, Camber USA, Good On, Le Mahieu, Merz B Schwanen, Norse Projects, Velva Sheen, Warehouse.
Exceptionally dense sweatshirt fabrics, irregular textures, beautifully nuanced heathered finishes and fits that are sometimes shorter and more generous. Some are even made in Japan. Certain brands take their research into vintage knitting machines and traditional manufacturing techniques particularly far.
Standout brands:
Batoner, Buzz Rickson’s, Jackman, Loopwheeler, OrSlow, Studio d’Artisan, Superstitch, The Real McCoy’s, Warehouse & Co.
When buying a second-hand sweatshirt, check its overall condition, particularly for any yellowing around the collar. Also make sure the garment hasn't stretched out too much and that the ribbing isn't overly worn or damaged.
If you're looking for high-quality pieces at a more accessible price, we also recommend browsing our selection on Bonnegueule Second Hand. There, we offer pieces from previous collections as well as lightly worn samples used for photoshoots.
A hoodie is simply a sweatshirt with a hood, usually featuring a kangaroo pocket. A crewneck sweatshirt has a cleaner, more streamlined look and can easily be incorporated into slightly smarter outfits.
Start by looking at the fabric: its density, hand feel and ability to retain its shape. The quality of the ribbing and stitching, as well as the construction of the hood on a hoodie, are also good indicators.
There is no single ideal weight. A lightweight sweatshirt will be more versatile during transitional seasons, while a fabric weighing 400 g/m² or more will create a thicker, more structured garment that is particularly well suited to cooler temperatures.
Brushed fleece has a soft, fluffy inner surface that provides extra warmth and insulation. French terry, on the other hand, has small visible loops on the inside. It is generally less warm and therefore more versatile.
It all depends on the look you're after, but we like a fit with some room through the chest and arms. A sweatshirt that is too tight loses some of its character, while a slightly looser fit helps retain its sportswear roots.
Heather grey is the quintessential sweatshirt colour, directly referencing the garment's American sportswear heritage. Navy is highly versatile and slightly smarter. A bolder colour can be a great addition once you already have these basics covered.
Play with contrasts. Pair it with smarter or more textured pieces, such as wool trousers, a long coat, an unstructured jacket, loafers or Derbies. A well-executed fit and high-quality fabric will also go a long way towards elevating the sweatshirt.
Wash it at a low temperature and avoid tumble drying whenever possible, as this can cause shrinkage and weaken the fibres over time. Wash it inside out, and remember that there is no need to wash it after every wear: this will also help preserve its colour and feel for longer.
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