Banned from shopping centres, name-checked by politicians, and adored by music and fashion royalty – the hoodie is a true menswear staple with a cultural history like no other.
Invented back in the 1930s by American sportswear brand Champion for its workers in cold New York warehouses, the hoodies’ workwear roots are a sign of its enduring appeal. It’s a piece that you can trust –hardwearing, versatile, and now, after some aforementioned awkward years in between, timeless.
What makes some hoodies stand out from the rest then? Well, logos and graphics are a start, even if plain options are easier to style. Comfort is a priority, as is fit, with a lot of modern-day hoodies straying into oversized territories.
When styling these stylishly designed baggier sweats, remember to balance out the look with a slimmer fit elsewhere, and buy oversized, not bigger – purposefully oversized pieces provide the structure you need to avoid looking like your mum’s waiting for you to grow into them.
Here’s a tried and tested guide to nine of the best hoodies then – a jumping board, if you will, into this enduring staple.
Read more:
How we tested
For this piece we tried to review hoodies from across the menswear spectrum, so you’ll see pieces that go from sportswear and streetwear, to potentially more formal options. Each one has been put through its paces during a range of activities and situations, with the quality of the material, fit and details closely studied. Price was a major consideration, as was versatility. We want you to be getting as much wear out of your new purchase as possible and that requires a hoodie that transitions well throughout your day.
The best men’s hoodies for 2022 are: