3 Stylish Ways to Wear Your Hoodies and Zip-Ups
Hoodies and zip-ups are foolproof garments when it comes to warmth and comfort. However, sometimes it’s all too easy to look like you’re wearing sweats or gym clothes when you’re rocking a hoodie. Fortunately, there are lots of stylish ways to make hoodies work as part of a fashionable wardrobe – you just have to get a little creative.
Option 1: Layer, Layer, Layer
Layering is an easy way to make your hoodie look less athletic and more chic. If your sweatshirt is thin enough, it’s easy to layer it under a fabulous jacket to add just a hint of sporty chic to your ensemble.
Tips for layering with style:
- Make sure your hoodie is not too thick. While warm, heavyweight hoodies are practical, they’re difficult to layer because of the bulk factor. Thinner or worn-in hoodies are best for layering under your cute jackets.
- Be creative! Try out lots of different combinations for maximum layering success. A hoodie under a jacket works well, but what about a pullover hoodie under a zip hoodie? Or a hoodie under a blazer? The options are endless – you just have to try things out to find out what looks best.
Product Information: Hoodie- Uniqlo, Faux Leather Jacket – TopShop, Tee- American Eagle, Skirt- French Connection, Necklace- Fossil, Tights- Gap, Purse- Piperlime, Wedges- TopShop
Option 2: Zip-Up/Dress Combination
I saw a girl on campus the other day wearing a zip-up hoodie with a super girly dress, and I thought it was really inspiring how she juxtaposed the athletic with the romantic. It’s super easy to rock a similar look yourself.
Things to consider:
- How does it look when its zipped? Does your dress look like an awkward skirt? Is it better to just leave it open? If so, do you need to add a scarf or something for added warmth?
- How does the fabric of the zip-up compare with your dress? Be careful about mixing patterns. I think it can be done, but for me personally I go with either a patterned dress with a solid zip-up, or the reverse. If you are interested in mixing patterns, check out this CF article!
Here’s an example outfit to get your creative juices flowing!
Product Information: Zip-Up- Forever 21, Dress- H&M, Tights- Net-a-Porter, Bag- Yes Style, Lipstick- Yes Style, Boots- Forever 21, Necklace- Zappos
Option 3: University Gear with Pizazz
We all have a special relationship with our university hoodies…nothing says “I’m a [insert your university's mascot here]” like sporting your school colors and logo. However, sometimes you can get easily lost in a sea of those same colors and logos, not to mention that university hoodies are not the most stylish articles of clothing around.
For those days when you’re just trying to be casual when studying at the library and really want to rock a university hoodie, here are some tips on how to do it without sacrificing all of your style points.
Mix up your everyday university hoodie by…
- Adding a funky scarf or other comparable accessory. You can even play with your school colors. I’ve seen a lot of plaid scarves that utilize my school colors (which are red, white, and blue).
- Embracing a little D.I.Y. I once saw a girl who even added some paw print patches to her U of A hoodie. It was subtle and very cute. Here’s an example of a customized sweater (although it’s a zip-up, you could use the same method for a hoodie). Be creative and have fun.
Here is an example!
Product Information: Hoodie- Boston University, Jeans- Topshop, Circle Scarf- Net-a-porter, Purse- Urban Outfitters, Flats- Debenhnams
A Penny for Your Thoughts…
What do you think? How do you wear zip-ups and hoodies? Have you gained any new ideas from this post? Which look is your fave? Let us know with a comment!
Posted on on February 22, 2010 / Filed Under: Trends / Tags: Campus Inspiration, Featured, hoodie, Outfits, Sweats, sweatshirts, Tips, zip-up
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Julie
I love to layer this awesome jacket that I bought in Spain with my black Element hoodie. It looks amazing and so much dressed up. I also like to wear my Berkeley sweatshirt (a souvenir from when I was there) with skinny jeans and cute flats.
Callie
This is a great topic. Most college girls that I know have tons of hoodies, and I just love them, but I used to worry that I just looked sloppy and careless when I wear mine. Thanks for showing us how to keep them looking good :)
Ashley
I’m a big fan of this post.
I have so many hoodies left over from my tomboy high school days and I was literally just about to give them all away. Maybe I’ll keep one or two after reading this. Thanks!
Renee
This is a very useful post! since 1 or 2 months Ive been buying and wearing hoodies and kind of things very frequently I love layering them I usually wear hodies like the last outfit: on jeans with flats =) also I get some inspiration from these outfits!
thanks!
CLC
i love this article!! so practical…
Ali-bell
I LOVE wearing hoodies with dresses and skirts. I do it all the time.
but I just got a new hoodie which is really long (like it covers most of my butt) so it looks a bit funny with a skirt. hmm…
jem
I do like wearing a hoodie but for some reason I always feel to dressed down when I wear one. So the only time I wear hoodies is when I am eaither bumming around the house or if I wear one underneth a blazer. Although I think other people are a lot better at rockin a hoodie and not looking to casual.
kristine
I was actually thinking that I wanted to buy a hoodie. My only concerns are.. would it be too bulky around the back of the neck to wear a scarf with a hoodie? And I have long hair so with the hood would my hair always have to be up?
Renn
I liked the first suggestion very much, the only thing I don’t seem to have is that kind of skirt, I should definitely look around for that. I’m not a fan of hoodies, but I seem to have quite a lot of them and I don’t even know from where. I will rethink my whole position on them, great article, guys!
andrea
literally yesterday i was thinking about ways to dress up my sweatshirts and then this article came out. it is almost like this website reads my mind because all the articles have perfect timing relative to my life.
Rose
Random use of the BU sweatshirt, but I most definitely approve, haha (no I’m not a BU alum….).
Caitlin
I love the last outfit– great way to make a university hoodie seem put together and chic with the addition of the scarf and rockin’ leopard print flats. I will definitely be working this look on those jeans-and-hoodie kind of days. You guys are amazing!
Cassandra
Very basic form fitting/tight cotton dark purple mini dress, belted at waist with wide dull-golden-buckled-belt. Thick zip up yellow hoodie layered on top of belt and dress, and over that goes a sleeveless gray cardigan a little longer than dress.
^ One of my favourite outfits to wear in winter, with a scarf , coloured tights and hoodie sleeves suitably rolled up to the elbow :D Plus tall boots/ankle boot heels/additional legwear.
Basically what happens when I get sick of pants despite the snow ( it’s been more than two straight months now of trudging in it !)
A thin gray hoodie under denim or leather jackets looks great. So does wearing a black hoodie on some short (faux)fur jackets – the black acts as a framing ‘border.’ If you have a really, really big hoodie, you could also just belt that and wear it with tights.
d.walker
love the university hoodie set, love rocking my princeton tigers sweatshirt. I usually pair it with faded charcoal leather boots and faded jeans
Elle Maj.
I LOVE the use of a random BU sweatshirt :P I go there, and while I’m not one of the uber-trendy wealthy girls who attend, I make an effort to look nice and put together– but on the days where I just want to wear a hoodie this is really helpful!
avory
love this post! its so useful!
one thing i have to say is that in outfit #2 i think the fancy outfit, especially the heels, does not go with the sporty sweatshirt- id probably ditch the heels and go for some black boots instead. but, everyones got a different style so thats just me.
i happen to love the first and last outfit though :)
Josie
This was pretty helpful.
Where I am, in Sweden, nobody ever wears hoodies to university. I happen to love my sweatshirt and hoodies, but I do feel sloppy when I wear them to lectures… Still, I’ll definitely be pairing mine with a jeans jacket and a floral dress once it gets a bit warmer.
annie
I love wearing hoodies under my lightweight peacoats too. I bought a cute cream colored belted peacoat from Forever 21 awhile ago and I pair it with a similar colored hoodie underneath (leave the peacoat open) and black skinny jeans. Then I add a dark red scarf for a pop of color…I always get compliments on this outfit! :)
Lana
That’s so weird, I was just thinking yesterday that I wanted to e-mail Zephyr about posting an article on how to wear a hoodie without looking sloppy! This article was great, I wish there were a few more examples though! Especially for the last onen (hoodies with logos). I love my club’s hoodie but I don’t want to look like a slob wearing it!
Shannon
BU!!!! <3
Awesome article, extra points for the BU hoodie =]
Gaby
GO BU!!!!!!!!!
love this!!!
aish
thank u so much
i have one thin brown hoodie n wore it only 4 lazy days
these ideas are great
Miriam
Thank you! The first two looks are adorable, the third one is just not my style.
Very useful article. :)
Talent Watcher
Hoodies are a great winter wear item, as the hood that is attached offers protection for the head and ears. Over the years, men’s hoodies have become a fashionable item, as more and more popular designers are throwing their hats into the ring when it comes to designing a great hoodie.
Audrey - Ohio State University
This is awesome! I feel like people don’t give hoodies enough credit! They can be stylish too ;)
I love the hoodie/leather jacket combo.
Katrina
I absolutely love hoodies, in fact, I’m wearing one right now! They add comfort to almost any outfit, and I love the idea of pairing them with a dress. Can’t wait to try it out!
Great post!
Guacira Naves
Great article!
I love my hoodies from Bilby and Moss (their warmer one with thermal fabric, and the Tali hoodie, perfect for the example that you gave, under a leather jacket). Problem is, I couldn’t come up with creative way to wear them.
Thanks for the ideas!
Katherine
I love them with bandage dresses/skirts! super cute
Chanelle
This article is just what I needed this morning. Every few weeks or so, I’ll resort back to a pair of jeans and a simple top.
Micky
What about boys?