Signs that a sweatshirt needs replacing

Short answer: A sweatshirt needs replacing when the cuffs and hem are slack, the fabric is covered in pilling or thin, holes appear, or it no longer holds its shape. Here we go through the signs, and what you can do to extend its life.

Cuffs and hem lose their grip

The ribbing in the cuffs and bottom edge is there to keep the sweatshirt in place. When it turns slack and wavy, the sleeves slide down over your hands and the hem hangs instead of sitting close. This is often the first sign and hard to put right. Stretch the ribbing lightly and see whether it springs back.

Pilling and lint on the surface

Pilling comes from friction, especially under the arms and along the sides. A little is perfectly normal and can be removed with a fabric shaver. If the whole surface is covered and the fabric feels rough, the fibres have lost their smoothness. The sweatshirt then looks worn and no longer suits places where you want to look tidy.

The fabric has gone thin

Hold the sweatshirt up to the light. A sweatshirt should have some weight, and when the fabric is thin and nearly see-through, especially at the elbows and shoulders, it is worn. Thin areas end in holes. If it no longer feels as warm as it did, the fabric may be worn so that it insulates less.

The seams give way

Check the seams at the shoulders, armholes and neckline. Loose threads can be sewn back in, but if seams are open in several places or pull crooked, the sweatshirt is nearing its end. A small hole in a seam can be mended, while several small holes in the fabric are only the beginning of more.

Fit and shape are gone

A sweatshirt that has grown too long in the body, got crooked shoulders or hangs down from the neck has lost its shape. It happens with time and washing. If you tug at it or would rather pick another, that is a sign. Fit matters as much as fabric.

Colour and print are worn

Faded colours, a grey cast or a print that cracks and peels give a worn look. A little fading is normal and can be part of the charm. But when the colour is blotchy or the print comes off in flakes, the sweatshirt looks neglected and can be demoted to home use.

Give it a different role

Worn out does not mean useless. An old sweatshirt can become a home top, work clothing for painting and the garden, or a warm layer in your sleepwear. If it is worn right through, you can take it to textile recycling if you have access to it. That gives it an ending instead of the bin.

Washing and care that extend its life

Wash according to the label, turn it inside out and use a moderate temperature. Avoid high spin speeds and the tumble dryer when you can. Wash with clothes of the same kind, without zips and hooks. The surface then wears less, and you can wait longer to replace it. See also bamboo sweatshirt for men, bamboo jogging sets for men and socks for men and women.

Frequently asked questions

How often should a sweatshirt be replaced?

It is not a matter of time but of wear. Replace it when the cuffs are slack, the fabric is thin or the seams give way. If you wear it every day, that is usually sooner.

Can pilling be removed?

Yes, with a fabric shaver or a fabric comb. It improves the look, but it does not change the fact that the fabric is worn. Pilling often returns if the friction continues.

What do I do with a worn sweatshirt?

Use it as a home top or work clothing, or cut it into rags. If it is worn right through, you can take it to textile recycling if you have access to it.