Outerknown
Also on an equally never-ending quest for clothing supremacy is Outerknown. The clothing brand from American professional surfer Kelly Slater, Outerknown strives to produce clothes as sustainably and ethically as possible.
If anything, it makes the quality of Outerknown's clothing incredibly high. Sweatshirts are made from organic cotton and definitely rock a much more beachy vibe than some others on this list (given it's founder, it's hardly surprising).
Rhone
We're big fans of brands that disrupt the fashion-sphere, giving the big names a serious run for their money with regards to all aspects of clothing: quality, selection and pricing. Rhone is one such brand that succeeds at all three. The American clothier positions itself as an activewear brand, but its clothing is suitable for everyday wear too.
Rhone's sweatshirts don't take on the traditional shape, instead offering a 1/4 zip design, but this makes it an even more professional-looking layering piece under a blazer. Alternatively, they can easily be dressed down with a pair of jeans and a t-shirt at the weekend for out-of-office cool.
Everlane
Everlane is a genuine favourite brand of ours here at DMARGE. We not only love the range of clothing on offer and the quality your receive for the price you pay (helped by its direct to consumer model) but also the sustainable and ethical measures it instils to ensure workers are paid and treated fairly.
Everlane's sweatshirts employ French Terry fabric that has been specially developed by the brand to make it ultra-durable. With a vast range of colours to choose from as well, you can stock up until your wardrobe is bursting.
Olivers Apparel
Californian startup is forever on a mission to revolutionise menswear essentials one piece at a time. Whether it's crafting what it considers to be the perfect t-shirt or conceiving a well-fitting pair of shorts, the brand will never stop looking for new ways to innovate.
Being in the business of menswear essentials means Olivers' sweatshirts rock classic silhouettes with barely any branding (and definitely no prints or patterns) in sight. What you get instead is incredibly well-made sweaters in a curated selection of seasonal colours, made from 100 per cent Japanese Supima cotton.
Hugo Boss
If big name brands are really important to you then Hugo Boss surely needs to be a consideration. The German clothier has remained at the forefront of men's fashion ever since its founding in 1924.
Sweatshirts tend to feature prominent branding, but with a brand name like Boss, you're going to want to shout about it to those around you. Expect supersoft sweaters in a range of colours and fits, along with high-quality craftsmanship that more than justifies the price tag.
Gymshark
Fitness fanatics rejoice, Gymshark is here to provide you with a range of clothing that can be used both in and out of the gym, alongside other collections that are geared more towards casual wear, but still let others know you're dedicated to pumping iron. Low prices, great quality and blanket advertising through Instagram have made this sportswear company a force to be reckoned with.
For classically styled sweatshirts that offer a simple look and solid comfort, Gymshark has you covered. Throw one on for your morning walk or after a gym session to cover up your sweat-drenched tee, it's completely versatile.
Lululemon
Equally adept at merging worlds of sport and everyday casual wear is Lululemon. The Canadian brand is best-associated with yoga but its clothing can also be used in the gym or just casually from day-to-day. Fabrics used are designed to allow for full movement no matter what you find yourself doing, and breathable too, helping you to remain cool.
Those same fabrics are used for Lululemon's range of sweatshirts to effectively wick sweat away from your body, while rocking a conventional silhouette that would look great in or out of the office.
Saturdays NYC
Saturdays NYC, founded in none other than New York City, was originally intended to be a surfing brand. However, plans soon changed and the team behind the label set out to create one of the coolest menswear brands launched in recent memory. It's often hard to pinpoint what it is that gives a brand a certain je ne said quois, and that's true of Saturdays. The brand just gets it right.
Take its sweatshirt range. Classic crew styles presented with various logos, colours and patterns, and a collaboration or two thrown in for good measure. You might not get super technical fabrics like you do with some other brands, but you get pieces that can be paired with a variety of outfits.
AllSaints
Exhibiting effortless cool on the other side of the pond to Saturdays NYC is British-based fashion brand AllSaints. Founded in 1994 but not seeing genuine growth until it was 15 years old, the label now has a firm footing internationally and is renowned for its quality leather pieces and quirky prints and patterns used on t-shirts, shirts and everything else in between.
AllSaints tends to play it safe with the sweatshirt range (its the hoodies where it likes to experiment) with simple colours and silhouettes that just work. Colours are always on point, being the exact right shades that blend well with chinos, jeans and shorts of varying colours. Quality has come on leaps and bounds too, so now you're getting something that you know will last.
Unbound Merino
With some of the finest Merino wool being sourced from Australia, Canadian brand Unbound Merino occupies a space practically to itself. Taking the oft-forgotten material and using it to create a complete range of good-looking and capable clothing, it's a perfect brand for men who like to spend time outdoors in comfort.
The company's rather luxurious sweatshirt is well-fitting and requires fewer washes than others you might own, thanks to its naturally antibacterial properties. It'll keep you warm without overheating you thanks to temperature regulating properties, and its supremely comfortable.
Faherty Brand
Faherty Brand was founded by brothers Alex and Mike, who wanted to create a clothing brand that would take the menswear essentials but give them a distinctly laidback, beachside vibe. This hippie-like aesthetic also means the brand is committed to being as sustainable as possible and admits its always learning something new everyday.
Faherty's sweatshirt range is a little different to the majority of other brands in this list, as you'll be hard pushed to find a crew-neck style in sight. Instead, the brand offers quarter-zip pullover pieces which are more akin to the sort of sweatshirt you'd put on around a campfire once the sun goes down.
Todd Snyder x Champion
Todd Snyder knows how to deliver New York-style cool through his menswear collections. The American designer has previously held positions at Ralph Lauren and J. Crew, so is well versed is how to take the menswear essentials and give them a more premium elevation, while managing to keep the cost to you the consumer, low.
Todd has maintained a longstanding partnership with Champion for some time, keeping a regular stock of sweatshirts and hoodies made in collaboration with the American sportswear brand. Designs are available in a wide range of colours, with some receiving various patterns or prints. Heavyweight French Terry fabric is used across the range for comfort and durability and they're all made in the USA.
J. Crew
American brand J. Crew is the one to turn to for classic 'preppy' style. Quarter-zip sweaters, chinos and shirts are the company's forte, and the brand is also one to turn to for a variety of fabrics and patterns. Best of all, J. Crew commits to being as sustainable and ethical as possible, which is exemplified through the quality of the clothing.
Sweatshirts, for example, are made from French Terry, ideal comfort, warmth and durability, and are available in a multitude of colours that make them the perfect casual piece.
Carhartt
For heavy-duty workwear-inspired clothing look no further than Carhartt. The long-established American brand knows how to make clothes that truly do last a lifetime yet don't sacrifice style in the process. Definitely geared more towards casual outfits than the work environment, Carhartt is a brand enjoyed by both streetwear-fanatics and those who simply know good clothing.
Sweatshirts range from midwight to heavyweight cotton, which, if you wish to, can easily be worn on the jobsite. Comfortable and warm with a hint of spandex stretch to allow for greater movement, Carhartt's sweatshirts are also available in a good range of colours to pair with most casual outfits.
Sunspel
Sunspel is easily one of the most revered names in fashion. Founded in 1860 as a champion of luxury underwear, the brand has only gone from strength to strength in the luxury fashion industry. Materials and fabrics are handpicked and manipulated in such a way that the result is a softness unmatched by the majority of other brands.
Sweatshirts may appear to be similar to others on the market, rocking classically simple, clean silhouettes, but those others don't rock the same high-level quality offered by Sunspel.
James Perse
Before James Perse launched his eponymous label he grew up living and breathing fashion due to his dad owning a boutique store in LA that helped pave the way for the city's now-global presence on the fashion stage. Today, James Perse is known for perfectly bringing together the worlds of luxe and casual fashion, making high-quality clothing accessible to all.
Sweatshirts employ a variety of fabrics, making them suitable for a number of uses. For warmth and softness there's Supima cotton while for more active uses you can opt for stretch jersey raglan. Regardless of material, quality is up there with the very best, fits are on point and colours are on trend.
Ellesse
Ellesse has been around since 1959 and became increasingly popular in the 1970s for its ski and tennis clothing collections. While the brand has always held a solid footing within the sporting world, it's only been in recent years that youth culture has adopted it in their hordes. Unwilling to change its design approach, however, Ellesse clothing retains retro styling and prominent branding.
The majority of Ellesse's sweatshirt collection comprises a couple of more simple pieces. Expect classic fits, block colouring and fleece linings for sweet sweet comfort.
Uniqlo
For simple, reliable and on-trend essentials, Japanese retailer Uniqlo is hard to beat. Seasonal collections are always made to a level of quality that belie their price and are incredibly versatile, being suited to all occasions. Not only are the basic neutral colours taken care of, but Uniqlo also offers the majority of its pieces in less common hues that allow you to inject some originality into your looks too.
Uniqlo's sweatshirts come in both minimal and more adventurous styles. Minimal pieces are made from supersoft cotton and make great additions to capsule collections, but for a little bit of fun you can check out the brand's collaboration pieces that bring with them funky designs and colours.
Nike
Do we really need to introduce Nike? The American sportswear brand is easily one of the biggest names in the world thanks its use of innovative technologies, well-designed essentials and reliability.
Nike's sweatshirt range is vast, ticking off sports-specific pieces, collaborations and basics that can be worn by anyone and everyone. A full rainbow of colours is up for grabs too, making Nike one of the most dependable brands out there.
ASOS Design
For some of the most extensive and diverse clothing collections anywhere, you have to check out ASOS Design. The eponymous label from the huge online retailer caters to pretty much every single demographic, style and fit you can think of, so if you can think of a particular piece you want for a look, chances are ASOS will stock it.
That's especially true of sweatshirts. Crew neck, quarter-zip, oversized, short sleeve, fleece, printed, muscle-fit, the list is almost endless. Better still, prices are incredibly affordable and quality doesn't take a hit.
Acne Studios
Swedish label Acne Studios has become renowned for its understated collections, taking traditional menswear pieces and giving them a unique overhaul that results in some of the most stylish and cool clothing around. Acne Studios clothing does demand a higher price that a fair few of the other retailers on this list, but the level of dedication and degree of thought that goes into each piece makes them worth every cent.
Sweatshirts are just as eclectic as you'd expect, covering minimal pieces with subtle logo and branding, to more 'in your face' collections with images, prints and detailing that will give your outfits an alternative edge.
John Elliott
John Elliott is another luxury clothier that takes all the essentials guys could need and gives them a premium upcycle, resulting in some of the most desirable pieces available on the market. It's not just the style-minded gents that John has found affinity with, as all manner of celebrities are regularly seen rocking his collections, adding weight to their quality and reputation.
John Elliott's sweatshirt collection is one of our favourites here at DMARGE. Colour choice is spot on, fits are perfect (even oversized looks suitably tailored) and materials are some of the finest available. If you only get yourself one sweatshirt from this list, we seriously recommend it be a John Elliot.
Dsquared2
Italian label Dsquared2, founded by Canadian-born twins Dean and Dan Caten, has cemented itself as being one of the most influential brands of the day. Collections often veer towards more outlandish territory, but pieces never go so far as to make you want to avoid them completely. You'll struggle to find greater quality too, which is why you'll need to part with a larger sum of money in order to bring the brand into your home.
