What sets a hoodie apart from a sweatshirt

Short answer: What is a hoodie? It is a sweatshirt with a hood, usually with a kangaroo pocket at the front and a drawstring for the hood. A sweatshirt has no hood and lies calmer around the neck. Here are the differences, so you can choose what suits your day.

What a hoodie is and what makes it special

If you ask what a hoodie is, the answer is fairly simple. It is a top in soft sweat fabric with a hood that sits at the neck and can be pulled over the head. Many also have a large pocket at the front for the hands. The hood is what sets it apart from an ordinary sweatshirt.

How a sweatshirt is built

A sweatshirt has a round neck instead of a hood and is therefore more uniform in shape. It often has ribbed edges at the neck, sleeves and hem, so it stays in place. Many choose it when they want a calmer top that does not add bulk at the neck. See bamboo sweatwear if you want to compare the models.

The hood and what it is for

The hood is practical when it is windy or drizzling, and it gives a feeling of shelter. It can also rest at the neck like a soft collar. Check that the hood is not so big that it pulls the top backwards when it is down, and that the drawstring sits firmly without lying unevenly across the chest.

The kangaroo pocket and other pockets

Many hoodies have a large pocket at the front, where the hands can rest and where you can keep a phone and keys. That makes them popular for everyday wear. A sweatshirt rarely has pockets, which gives a cleaner look. Choose by whether you want practical pockets or a cleaner front.

Fit and how they sit differently

Both hoodie and sweatshirt can fit loose or close, but the hood means a hoodie often takes up more space at the neck and shoulders. The sweatshirt lies closer around the neck and can feel lighter under a jacket. Try both and feel which suits your body and your clothes. It is taste, not right or wrong.

Combinations with tops and jackets

A hoodie adds bulk at the neck, so it suits best under a jacket without a big collar or on its own. A sweatshirt is easier to wear under a jacket, because there is no hood that has to settle. Under both you can wear a thin top, for example bamboo tops for women, which lie flat and do not add volume.

When to choose which

Choose a hoodie when you want shelter at the neck, pockets for the hands and a relaxed look for walks and everyday life. Choose a sweatshirt when you want a calmer, more unified look or wear it under jackets. Many have both and switch by the day. Take a look at bamboo hoodie for women.

Washing and caring for both types

Hoodie and sweatshirt are washed almost the same way. Follow the care label, turn them inside out and avoid very high heat in the tumble dryer, which can make fabric shrink. The hood and ribbed edges dry slowly, so let them dry fully before you put them away. That way both keep their fit and softness.

Frequently asked questions

What is a hoodie?

A hoodie is a sweatshirt with a hood, often with a kangaroo pocket at the front and a drawstring for the hood. It is made of soft sweat fabric and worn for everyday life, walks and relaxing.

What is the difference between a hoodie and a sweatshirt?

The only fixed difference is the hood. A hoodie has a hood and often a large pocket at the front, while a sweatshirt has a round neck and a calmer look.

Which is warmer, a hoodie or a sweatshirt?

It depends on the thickness of the fabric and the fit. The hood shelters the neck, but a sweatshirt can be just as thick. Compare the thickness in the product description.

See our range of men's bamboo sweater.