Photo Credits: Ashley Olsen- 1, Alexander Wang model- 2, Kyla’s street style look- 3
Sweatshirts, at their most basic, aren’t really challenging to wear- but they ARE challenging to style in a fashion-friendly way. With everyone and their cousin wearing their VS Pink sweatshirts around campus, it’s hard to stand out from the crowd when rocking a sweatshirt.
That said, it’s not impossible to make a sweatshirt more stylish. A few simple updates can help you get the sporty look just right. Are you up to the Fashion Challenge?
Tips and Tricks for Wearing Sweatshirts Fashionably:
- Make a commitment. Go either completely sporty-casual like Kyla in picture 3 above, or dress up your sweats with girly extras like Ashley Olsen’s feminine-chic neutrals or this tiered skirt:
- Show off your style. This is a perfect opportunity to express your personal style. You can rock anything from a printed sweatshirt to a basic grey pullover. Throw it over jeans, leggings, or even layer it with a dress.
- Keep the weather in mind. Sweatshirts are, well, warm. With spring weather right around the corner (and already here for some of you), they might be a bit too warm for spring. Pair your sweatshirt with shorts and sandals for a sun-friendly look.
Get The Look
Product Information: Sweatshirt: Urban Outfitters, Shorts – Topshop, Necklace – Forever 21, Bag – Forever 21, Shoes – Old Navy
Balance out the heavy texture of a striped sweatshirt with a pair of silky shorts and metallic accessories. Add a neutral bag (a great way to work in another spring trend) and the outfit looks polished. You could switch out the flat sandals for heels and a more elaborate necklace for a night-friendly look as well.
More Sweatshirt Fashion Tips
For even more on rocking hooded and zip-up sweatshirts with style, see our article 3 Stylish Ways to Wear Your Hoodies and Zip-Ups. It should help give you even more inspiration!
So, will you take the fashion challenge?
Do you love the look of this casual basic, or do you shy away from sweatshirts? What is your favorite way to make a sweatshirt fashion-friendly? Already work this trend? Send us pictures of you in your favorite sweatshirt look and we’ll feature them here! And, as always, we are open to suggestions for future challenges in the comments! We’d love to hear from you!
I was inspired by this article to put together a new look of my own. Check it out!
http://wp.me/pKRf2-6Z
Thanks, CF!
Hannah,
I love the look! That sweatshirt looks super comfy and I want those sandals soooo badly! Perfect for the warmer weather!
I love this look too, a great way to contrast different styles in one outfit. I’m really liking this series, it’s got some great ideas. A trend I’ve been running into for spring a lot that would be a great challenge is gold dresses/ sequined pieces. These are really fun trends, but they’re hard to rock day to day and I already have half a dozen dresses in my closet that I can only wear for clubbing/night out occasions. Anyway, thanks for the great series!
I love sporty sweatshirts! I like tucking them in high waisted shorts, skirts, or dark jeans for a classic look.
As long as those sweatshirts aren’t the vs pink ones, or the school ones, or the a&f, hollister, aero ones…. The brand names on the sweatshirts make them look cheap.
Love it – I wear these types of sweatshirts alot around campus, they’re comfortable and stylish if you wear them right 🙂
I completely agree with ginny though…the sweatshirts that have the brand names on them like aero and hollister scream ’15 year old high school kid’.
I’ve been looking for some khaki shorts.. and I think I just fell in love with those from Topshop! Thanks!
I love the look you chose! Very European!
I own the sweater in the fourth photo. It’s deliciously comfortable. I like to wear it with a pastel floral print A-line skirt to bring out the purple in the print. It’s a great transition piece, too; in the summer, I wear it with white shorts and sandals (not flip-flops) for a slightly more refined take on the basic sweatshirt.
i love this trend, i love breezy light cut up looking or just basic worn in sporty crew neck sweat shirts with skinny jeans and sandals and tons of jewlry, it makes for a great casual outfit!
I’m totally a fan of this look. If I can get away looking cute while being comfy Im totally down for it! The thinner the sweatshirt the better. However, I dont like mixing it with dressy skirts like the one above..I think you need to keep an overall relaxed feel. Sweathirt does not = dressed up
I’d LOVE these ideas! I’d honestly would’ve never have thought I could wear my sweatshirts outside my house where I lay around. :3 ~These ideas are great! However, I also think it’s hard to pull off. I just read the article last night and tried to make an outfit based on the ones above, but I was stumped. I’d like to see a gallery for ideas.
yes yes YES. i love sweatshirts. you can get great vintage sports team ones these days from ebay and such. not as soft, but still really comfy.
i love this!
in my school (high school) about 97% of the girls own a couple of sporty sweatshirts. majority of them are from american apparel (they have a great selection of them). we have to wear skirts so most of the days our outfits consist of a knee length skirt , sporty sweatshirt with flats, converse or (unfortunatly) uggs. i admit its kinda getting old for me but i cant help but love the look and feel of it – so comfortable!
anyways, love the post especially the outfit you put together!!
I’ve loved this look since Alex Wang showed those perfectly distressed sweatpants a few years ago. It’s such an easy way to dress down a fancy bottom and make it more wearable for day.
I don’t think I’m a fan of this trend… I just don’t think I can pull it off, haha. But I do like the idea of tucking it into a high waisted skirt. Sounds like it could be cute.