Street to Runway
How to be Fashionable with a Hoodie
Maybe you're ready to sashay down the runway at New York Fashion Week. Or maybe you're a budding fashionista, still figuring it out. No matter who you are, chances are, you wear hoodies. But did you know this comfy staple isn't just for hanging out and watching movies? Some of the most fashionable people in the world, including fashion models and celebrities, wear hoodies.
The difference is how they wear them. You've probably seen a celeb dolled up in a sweatshirt, looking cool and iconic. How can you get that look? It doesn't take an entourage, a movie deal, or an ego (thank goodness!). All you need is our "How to be Fashionable with a Hoodie" guide. We're about to teach you how to be fashionable with a hoodie. While they might not immediately scream "high fashion," it's pretty easy to elevate this humble article of clothing. Here's how:
Style Your Hoodie
The average couch potato covered in three-day-old cookie crumbs wears a hoodie. Fashionable people (like you) style a hoodie.
We're not just playing word games here. This is actually the big secret to how the frequently paparazzied look effortlessly stylish, even when wearing the kinds of clothes you dash out to grab the mail-in. It's literally a mindset shift.
When you wear a hoodie, you're throwing on a piece of clothing and calling it a day. When you style, you're thinking of your hoodie as part of an overall style or aesthetic you're working to create. Think of it this way: your hoodie is an ingredient that allows you to create an overall look. Start thinking this way, and you're taking your first big step toward learning how to be fashionable with a hoodie.
Consider Shape
Men's hoodies tend to be built to accommodate wider shoulders, while women's hoodies are more fitted. Choose the right shape of the hoodie to fit your body type. A good shape won't look too baggy, unstructured, or too tight.
Pay attention to the shape around the wrists and waist, too. The right shape doesn't poof out in these areas, adding ten pounds. It falls naturally over your body. Try on a few hoodies and try walking, sitting, and standing in them. The right shape and a quality hoodie won't bunch or pull in weird ways. The lines will stay clean and simple.
Pay Attention to Fabric
When you see celebrities and fashion industry insiders in sweatshirts and hoodies, you're seeing quality material. Soft fabrics are more comfortable, and quality materials will also wear longer and resist pilling and fading. Cotton or 100% organic cotton are both solid choices. They're soft, and they wear well — even with time. A poly-cotton blend can resist stains, shrinking, and creasing, which can also make it a great option. It comes down to what you prefer.
There's also an exciting solution with polyester now, with some companies creating 100% recycled polyester made from plastic bottles. If you care about the environment and want a blended fabric hoodie, look for this recycled polyester.
Look at the Little Details
Seek out hoodies by major brands, such as Champion and Adidas. These companies have a reputation to uphold and put in more effort to make sure their products are quality, yet they're still affordable compared to designer brands.
Reinforced stitching can create a more durable piece, and durable drawstrings that are knotted at the end won't fray. Also, look for small details in the hoodie, such as a ribbed waist and cuffs, as well as an adjustable drawstring hood. This will let you create different looks with your clothing.
Size it Correctly
Wearing the wrong size will make it all but impossible to look chic. You may need to try on a few different sizes to find one that looks like it was made for you. Avoid anything that you're swimming in or any pieces that hug your body too closely.
The right fit means the sleeves reach your wrists, and the hem hangs just below your waist, though zippered hoodies can run longer. On the other hand, if you're petite, you can also choose children's hoodies to create a cropped look. It's all about what you can pull off!
Think About Style
Zippered hoodies can function more like jackets and blazers, while non-zippered hoodies can take the place of sweaters. If you're going purely for fashion, avoid the hoodies with the front pockets, though. This can add bulk to the midsection, especially if you stash anything in your pockets.
Contrasting color and two-color hoodies are a fashionable option, especially if you select two colors on the opposite ends of a color wheel. These two shades will work beautifully together.
Pay Attention to Color
Speaking of color, think carefully about what shade your hoodie should be. For maximum flexibility, choose neutral colors such as black, white, charcoal, gray, navy, and camel. These colors look good with each other, never go out of style, and can be paired with more shades already in your closet.
But maybe you're a fashion rebel. Choosing a hoodie in this season's "it" color is a terrific way to try a fun-for-now shade without breaking the bank on a more expensive item. Or you can avoid this season's colors and choose a color that works well with your skin tone and hair color. A bright, unexpected pop of color on a hoodie can look sophisticated, especially if the rest of your outfit is muted or neutral.
Accessorize
A hoodie is usually pretty simple, so you can step up your accessories with an oversized bag or luxury backpack, which will contrast nicely with your simpler top. If you wear earrings, simple hoops create an understated look. Or you can go full-out fashionista with a bun, dangling earrings, and a full makeup look.
Tuck or Unzip
Unless you're a man with verrrry tolerant friends who will absolutely not tease, this one's left to the women: tuck your hoodie in. You can tuck your hoodie fully into belted jeans or do a half-tuck, where you tuck just a part of the front of your hoodie into your jeans. Try different looks in the mirror to see what looks best. The nice thing about tucking your hoodie in is that it can highlight your waist.
OK, this next styling tip is for everyone: wear a body-hugging shirt under your hoodie and leave the hoodie unzipped. Have both shirts in contrasting colors. This is one of the simplest and most effective ways to style a hoodie. It almost always looks effortlessly casual and put-together. You could also roll up or push up the sleeves of your hoodie to see if that creates a better look for your body type.
Layer Up and Get Creative
- More can be better. Hoodies look amazing under a big blazer or long coat, especially if the blazer or coat is in a contrasting color. Just leave the jacket open and pull the hood of your hoodie out over the back of the coat. This creates a casual but sophisticated look. We like to call it fashionista-casual.
- Try getting kitchy and ironic! Very fashionable people are cheeky with their fashion. They use what they wear on their bodies to give a little wink at what we consider "cool." They wear something kitschy ironically to make a fun statement. Think couples' hoodies worn together. Or a hoodie with a picture of your pet. Or a hoodie with a quote on it. As long as you wear it ironically, you're one step closer to stylishness.
- Get Inspired by others. Check out runways, fashion magazines, and cool people you see on the street. Follow blogs and news sites to see how your favorite actors and musicians style their hoodies. Then go ahead and try to pull off that cool look you saw. You may suddenly have people turning to you for their style ideas.
- Foget the rules! Deep breath. We know we just told you a bunch of styling rules. And they're amazing. Try 'em, and they really will help you look amazing in a hoodie. But there's a point where you're ready to leave the nest and fly on your own. At that stage, you're ready to make your own styling rules. Once you've tried a few looks with your hoodies, dare to forget the styling ideas you've learned and try something on your own. Pair two colors that shouldn't go together. Choose shoes you'd never wear with a hoodie. Be brave. Sometimes, you'll get it right. Sometimes you won't. But that's the wonderful thing about hoodies: you can always take them off and try them all over again with a brand-new outfit. That's how real fashionistas are born.
Customize
You step up your game when your hoodie doesn't look like anyone else's. Designers break out their sewing machines and change the shape and structure of their hoodies, but you don't have to get all tangled up in thread.
There's an easier way.
With TeamShirts, you can create your own custom hoodies with designs and graphics on the sleeves, front, back, or hood. Put your too-cool, ironic message on your clothes or design an eye-catching graphic. TeamShirts has an easy online designer tool that lets you design your hoodies in minutes. You can even choose from a library of over 30,000 free images to get your creativity flowing. TeamShirts will put your creative vision on your hoodie. Ordering more than five tops? You can get help from our team of professional designers to create your masterpiece.
We have our own printing facility in Las Vegas, so we can print using a variety of styles or can even embroider your hoodie. There's no minimum order size, either, so you can order as many or as few tops as you want. Be sure to check out our quality t-shirts, long-sleeve shirts, athletic apparel, socks, hats and caps, and other clothes, too, for a complete head-to-toe look.
Get Fashionable Now With a Custom Hoodie!
Here's some good news: it doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg to be fashionable. The humble hoodie can become part of some epic outfits, and when you buy from TeamShirts, you enjoy an affordable price. The more you buy, the more you save, with discounts of up to 65%. We also have a price match guarantee, so you can spend less time comparison shopping and more time putting together head-swiveling hot looks. We ship for free anywhere in the continental U.S. on any order. Can't wait? You can choose to rush shipping instead.
TeamShirts brings you the quality you demand as a fashion genius. Whisper-soft cotton, including organic cotton. Quality shirts from top brands like Adidas. And enough selection and sizing to help you find the perfect outfit.
Your look isn't like anyone else's. Why should your hoodie be? Design custom hoodies with TeamShirts for yourself and your friends and family — after all, shouldn't they benefit from your styling powers? Stop buying off-the-rack hoodies and invest in one that's designed by you, for you. Start designing today, and let your creativity fly!
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