Sweatshirts serve as a versatile item in every woman’s closet for all occasions. Almost all apparel brands have developed a vast collection of different sweatshirts for women, ranging from simple and classic to trendy and sophisticated, ensuring that each of their customers will find something that suits them. Enrich your brand’s collection and expand your brand’s reach by choosing from a wide range of sweatshirts that fit with your brand’s aesthetic!
For a startup that is new to the fashion industry, creativity for women’s sweatshirts only stops at different prints and embroidery. However, this is far from the truth. Once you enter the world of sweatshirts, you will find a surprising variety of styles, each with its own unique appeal.
Based on our observations of many great brands in recent years, we’ve put together a thorough guide to 29 women’s sweatshirts for your brand. From classic crewnecks to trend-setting designs, learn about the history, function and styling tips for each type right here!
Different Types of Sweatshirts for Women
Although most women already have sweatshirts in their wardrobes, they look for different types to suit various daily outfit combinations. This is why a brand must offer a variety of sweatshirts—it’s a market segment that no brand can afford to ignore. Please read the information here and choose the sweatshirts that you can add to your brand:
1. Essentials Oversized Crewneck Sweatshirt
The Essentials Oversized Sweatshirt is a wardrobe staple that blends comfort and style seamlessly. Known for its relaxed fit and minimalist design, this sweatshirt is perfect for those who prioritize both comfort and fashion. Made from soft, durable fabrics like heavyweight cotton or cotton blends, it’s designed to provide warmth without sacrificing breathability. The oversized fitting gives it a laid-back feeling, making it a versatile piece that can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion.
2. Cropped Sweatshirt
The cropped sweatshirt emerged as a fashion staple in the 1980s, coinciding with the fitness boom and the rise of athleisure. Celebrities and style icons started sporting cut-off sweatshirts during workouts, creating a look that was both athletic and stylish. Over the years, the cropped swe
atshirt has evolved beyond the gym, becoming a versatile piece that bridges the gap between streetwear and casual chic.
3. Quarter Zip Sweatshirt
The quarter zip Sweatshirt is a utility garment that combines style and practicality with a front quarter zipper. This sweatshirt combines the comfort of a classic pullover with the convenience of an adjustable neckline, making it ideal for layering or temperature regulation.
Quarter-zip sweatshirts became popular in the 1970s and 1980s and were originally designed for outdoor enthusiasts and athletes who needed functional, comfortable and durable clothing for all weather conditions. The zipper design allowed for quick ventilation while exercising, while the sweatshirt fabric kept you warm
4. Graphic Sweatshirt
Graphic sweatshirts are casual, comfortable garments with eye-catching patterns, logos, artwork or text printed on the fabric. This style of sweater allows for self-expression and is therefore popular with those who want to show their personality, interests or brand identity through their clothing.
If you want to make a large batch of graphic sweatshirts, you can consider using screen printing, which makes a clear print and keeps the clothes breathable, while the cost of the mold fee spread over each piece of clothing is low because of the large number of orders. If you want to customize small quantities of graphic sweatshirts, you can consider digital printing, the benefit of this printing is no need for the mold fee, but its unit price will be higher, at the same time it will slightly affect the breathability of the printed position, but the impact of this is ignored for thick fabrics.
5. Puff Sleeve Sweatshirt
Puff sleeve sweatshirt combines the casual comfort of a traditional sweatshirt with the romantic and dramatic flair of puff sleeves, creating a unique and stylish garment. This fusion adds a feminine and playful twist to an otherwise laid-back piece, making it both trendy and versatile. The puff sleeves add volume and dimension to the upper body, creating a visually interesting silhouette that can range from subtly voluminous to boldly exaggerated, depending on the design.
To style a puff-sleeved sweatshirt, balance the volume with fitted or high-waisted bottoms like skinny jeans, leggings, or tailored trousers to create a flattering silhouette. For a more feminine or bohemian look, pairing it with a flowy midi or maxi skirt can add movement and softness. Footwear choices like sneakers and flat boots can maintain a casual vibe, while heeled boots or pumps can elevate the outfit for a more polished appearance. Minimalist accessories are ideal for letting the puff sleeves stand out, ensuring the sweatshirt remains the focal point of the ensemble.
6. Henley Collar Sweatshirt
A Henley collar on a sweatshirt adds a touch of subtle refinement to a casual garment. Featuring a round neckline with a short buttoned placket, the Henley collar provides a classic, vintage-inspired detail that enhances the sweatshirt’s visual interest. This design bridges the gap between a basic crewneck and a more formal polo or button-down shirt, making the sweatshirt both versatile and stylish.
The Henley collar originated from the traditional rowing uniforms worn by rowers in the English town of Henley-on-Thames in the 19th century. Initially designed as an undershirt, the Henley collar featured a round neckline with a short buttoned placket, providing a functional and comfortable style for athletes.
7. Off Shoulder Sweatshirt
An off-shoulder sweatshirt combines the casual comfort of a traditional sweatshirt with a stylish and feminine twist, featuring a neckline that drapes below the shoulders to expose them. This design adds a romantic and playful touch to the garment, highlighting the collarbone and shoulders for a subtly sensual and relaxed look. The off-shoulder style creates an asymmetrical silhouette that adds visual interest and draws attention to the upper body.
The off-shoulder design has a long history that dates back to the early 19th century, particularly during the Regency and Victorian eras. This style became popular with women’s fashion as it was seen in ball gowns and evening dresses, emphasizing femininity and elegance by exposing the shoulders and neckline. In recent years, the off-shoulder design has become a popular choice in sweatshirts.
8. Stripe Sweatshirt
Stripe sweatshirts are a common design, enhancing the garment’s casual nature with a touch of sophistication or playfulness. Stripes, whether horizontal, vertical, or diagonal, can vary in width and color, allowing for different visual effects. Horizontal stripes tend to create a relaxed, sporty visual effects, while vertical stripes can lengthen the figure and add a more beautiful look.
9. Raglan Sleeve Sweatshirt
A raglan sleeve on a sweatshirt offers a relaxed, sporty aesthetic with greater freedom of movement, making it ideal for casual and athletic wear. The diagonal seam lines create a unique visual contrast, especially when different colors are used for the sleeves and body. This versatile design can be styled with jeans or joggers for a casual look or layered over a collared shirt for a more polished appearance. Originating in the 19th century for military purposes, the raglan sleeve has evolved into a popular fashion element, appreciated for its comfort and flexibility.
10. Short Sleeve Sweatshirt
A short sleeve on a sweatshirt combines the comfort and casual nature of a sweatshirt with the breathability and ease of a short-sleeved design. This unique blend creates a relaxed, sporty look that is perfect for transitional weather or for layering in cooler temperatures. The short sleeves offer a more laid-back and versatile alternative to the traditional long-sleeved sweatshirt, making it suitable for a variety of casual settings, from running errands to casual outings.
11. Appliqué Sweatshirt
Appliqué on a sweatshirt involves sewing or embroidering additional pieces of fabric or embellishments onto the garment, creating a raised, textured design. This decorative technique adds visual interest and a unique, artistic flair to the sweatshirt, transforming a simple piece into a statement item. Appliqué can range from bold, graphic motifs to subtle, intricate patterns, making it versatile for different styles and preferences. This design element brings a creative, personalized touch to casual wear.
Appliqué is a centuries-old technique that originated as a practical method for repairing or reinforcing fabric, often used in quilts and clothing. Over time, it evolved into a decorative art form, particularly in cultures where fabric and embroidery played a significant role in artistic expression, such as in African, Indian, and European traditions. In fashion, appliqué became popular for its ability to add texture, color, and dimension to garments, transforming them into unique, visually appealing pieces.
12. Contrast Stitch Sweatshirt
A contrast stitch design on a sweatshirt involves using a thread color that starkly contrasts with the fabric to highlight the seams and construction details. This technique adds a subtle yet eye-catching element to the garment, emphasizing its structure and creating a more tailored, finished appearance. The contrasting stitches outline the sweatshirt’s design lines, adding definition and depth without overwhelming the garment. This can make a simple sweatshirt appear more dynamic and thoughtfully designed.
13. Funnel Neck Sweatshirt
A funnel neck on a sweatshirt features a high, loose-fitting collar that extends upwards from the neckline without folding over, providing extra coverage and warmth around the neck. This design element adds a stylish and practical touch to the garment, making it ideal for cooler weather. The funnel neck gives the sweatshirt a sleek and modern look, offering a more polished and refined alternative to the classic crewneck or hoodie.
The funnel neck design has its origins in outerwear and sportswear, where it was initially used for practical purposes, such as providing warmth and protection from the elements. The style gained popularity in the mid-20th century as a functional element in military and outdoor garments, later making its way into casual and everyday fashion.
14. V-Neck Sweatshirt
V-neck sweatshirts provide a flattering, elongating effect that enhances the garment’s overall aesthetic by adding a touch of refinement to a casual piece. This design makes the sweatshirt versatile, suitable for both sporty and sophisticated styles. It can be layered over collared shirts for a preppy look or worn on its own for a relaxed yet polished outfit. Pairing it with jeans or tailored pants and choosing complementary footwear like sneakers or loafers allows the V-neck sweatshirt to transition effortlessly between different occasions and settings.
15. Mixed Media Sweatshirt
A mixed media sweatshirt combines different fabrics, textures, or materials within a single garment, creating a unique and dynamic look. This design approach often blends traditional sweatshirt fabrics like cotton or fleece with contrasting elements such as poplin. The result is a visually striking piece that stands out due to its varied textures and materials, adding depth and dimension to a simple silhouette. Mixed media sweatshirts offer a contemporary, fashion-forward aesthetic that merges comfort with an innovative edge.
16. Inside Out Sweatshirt
An inside-out sweatshirt is a design that deliberately showcases the interior construction details of the garment on the outside. This unconventional style flips the sweatshirt inside out, exposing seams, raw edges, and often the textured reverse side of the fabric. The inside-out look creates a unique, deconstructed aesthetic that adds an element of grunge and streetwear to the garment, playing on themes of rebellion and anti-fashion. This style challenges traditional notions of garment construction and presentation, making it a bold statement piece.
17. Turtleneck Sweatshirt
The turtleneck originated in the late 19th century as a practical garment for sailors, athletes, and workers who needed protection against the cold. It gained popularity in the 1920s and 1930s as a fashionable alternative to the collared shirt, often worn by intellectuals, artists, and avant-garde individuals. By the mid-20th century, the turtleneck had become a symbol of counterculture and rebellion, favored by figures like Steve Jobs and Marilyn Monroe for its sleek, minimalist design.
The turtleneck sweatshirt brings a clean, streamlined appearance that is both functional and stylish, ideal for cooler weather. It can be paired with jeans or leggings for a cozy, laid-back outfit, perfect for casual outings or weekend wear.
18. Colorblock Sweatshirt
Colorblock sweatshirt features bold blocks or panels of contrasting colors, creating a visually striking and dynamic design. This style plays with color placement and often combines multiple shades in geometric patterns, adding a modern, vibrant touch to a classic sweatshirt. The use of distinct color sections can emphasize certain parts of the garment, enhance its overall structure, and bring a fresh, youthful vibe to an outfit, making it a standout piece that can add visual interest and dimension to casual wear. It can be paired with simple, neutral bottoms like jeans or joggers to let the bold colors shine and maintain balance in the outfit.
19. Raw Edge Sweatshirt
Raw edge sweatshirt is characterized by its unfinished hems and exposed seams, giving the garment a rugged, deconstructed look. This design intentionally leaves the fabric edges frayed or unhemmed, creating a casual, edgy aesthetic that breaks away from using traditional RIB. The raw edges provide a sense of spontaneity and nonchalance, making the sweatshirt appear more laid-back and effortlessly cool. This style is often associated with streetwear and grunge fashion, emphasizing an undone, anti-fashion vibe that challenges conventional norms of garment construction.
The aesthetic of a raw edge sweatshirt is versatile and can easily fit into various casual settings. It pairs well with distressed jeans or joggers for a cohesive, relaxed look that embraces the sweatshirt’s deconstructed style.
20. Embroidered Sweatshirt
Embroidered sweatshirt features decorative stitching that adds unique designs or patterns, elevating the garment’s aesthetic with an artistic touch. This embroidery introduces texture and visual interest, transforming a basic sweatshirt into a statement piece. To style an embroidered sweatshirt, it can be paired with neutral bottoms like jeans or tailored pants to keep the focus on the embroidery, or layered over a collared shirt for a more polished look. Footwear such as sneakers or loafers complements the versatile, refined vibe, while minimal accessories ensure the embroidered details remain the highlight of the outfit.
21. Acid Wash Sweatshirt
Acid wash sweatshirt features a unique, distressed pattern created by treating the fabric with a bleach or acid solution, resulting in a faded, mottled appearance. This technique produces a distinctive, vintage-inspired look that is reminiscent of 1980s and 1990s fashion, evoking a sense of nostalgia and rebellious style. The irregular, washed-out effect adds depth and texture to the fabric, giving the sweatshirt a lived-in, edgy vibe that stands out from more traditional, uniform-colored garments.
22. Balloon Sleeve Sweatshirt
The balloon sleeve has a long history in fashion, dating back to the Renaissance and Baroque periods, where it was used in both men’s and women’s clothing to signify wealth and status. This voluminous sleeve style re-emerged in the Victorian era, where it was often seen in blouses and dresses, adding a romantic and exaggerated silhouette. The balloon sleeve made another comeback in the 1980s, characterized by its bold, exaggerated shape as part of the era’s penchant for oversized and dramatic fashion. Today, the balloon sleeve continues to be a popular design choice for women’s sweatshirts, bringing a blend of vintage elegance and contemporary style to modern fashion.
23. Lace Sweatshirt
Lace sweatshirt combines the casual comfort of a sweatshirt with the delicate, feminine appeal of lace detailing. This design typically features lace inserts, overlays, or panels, which can appear on the sleeves, neckline, or body of the sweatshirt. The addition of lace brings a touch of elegance and sophistication to a traditionally relaxed garment, creating a unique contrast between the soft, cozy fabric and the intricate, decorative lace. This combination results in a versatile piece that adds a romantic, chic to any casual outfit.
24. Jacquard Sweatshirt
Jacquard sweatshirts are distinguished by their intricate woven patterns, created using a jacquard loom that weaves complex designs directly into the fabric rather than printing or embroidering them on the surface. The patterns range from subtle geometric designs to bold and lush patterns that add texture and visual depth to the garment. The jacquard technique adds a luxurious, sophisticated touch to the sweatshirt, making it a standout piece that effortlessly combines comfort and elegance. To style a jacquard sweatshirt, it can be paired with jeans or leggings for a relaxed look or dressed up with tailored trousers or skirts.
25. Velour Sweatshirt
Velour sweatshirt is made from a plush, velvet-like fabric that has a soft, luxurious texture and a subtle sheen. This fabric adds a rich, elegant feel to the traditional sweatshirt, making it a stylish choice for those who want to blend comfort with a touch of glamour. The velour material captures and reflects light in a unique way, creating a visual depth and enhancing the overall look of the garment. A velour sweatshirt brings a retro-inspired, cozy aesthetic to any outfit, reminiscent of the popular tracksuits and loungewear of the early 2000s. The velour sweatshirt is versatile and can be styled for both casual and more dressed-up occasions.
26. Embossed Sweatshirt
An embossed sweatshirt features raised patterns or designs created through a special technique that adds texture and dimension to the fabric. This design approach results in a visually striking garment that stands out due to its three-dimensional elements, which can range from subtle geometric shapes to bold logos or intricate motifs.
Entrepreneurs who want to make custom embossed sweatshirts for their brand need to be aware of the fact that custom embossing requires the creation of specialized molds, which results in the cost of custom embossed sweatshirts being expensive in small quantities. If you don’t have a specific requirement for a pattern, you can also ask your manufacturer if they have existing embossing molds from which you can pick a pattern.
27. Cowl Neck Sweatshirt
Cowl neck sweatshirt features a loose, draped neckline that adds a sophisticated, cozy touch to a classic sweatshirt. This design provides extra warmth and a flowing silhouette that flatters the upper body, making it ideal for both casual and polished looks. It can be styled with fitted jeans, leggings, tailored pants or paired with a midi skirt.
The cowl neck design has roots in ancient Greece and Rome, where draped fabrics were a staple of clothing for both men and women. The style was later popularized in the 1930s by fashion designer Madeleine Vionnet, who used bias-cut fabrics to create garments that draped elegantly around the body. The cowl neck gained prominence in the 1970s as part of the relaxed, flowing silhouettes that defined the era’s fashion, symbolizing comfort and effortless style. Today, the cowl neck remains a popular design element, appreciated for its ability to blend comfort with a sophisticated
28. PU Sweatshirt
PU fabric is a fabric that is rarely used in sweatshirts, so when people see PU sweatshirts, they will feel new. The PU fabric mimics the appearance of genuine leather, offering a sleek, shiny finish that gives the garment a modern and bold feeling. Usually PU sweatshirts are used in a loose fit, which reduces the impact of the non-breathable PU fabric.
29. Johnny Collar Sweatshirt
A Johnny collar sweatshirt features a V-neckline with a small, pointed collar, adding a retro-inspired, slightly preppy touch to the classic sweatshirt. This design brings a blend of casual comfort and vintage sophistication, making it versatile for both laid-back and more refined outfits. It can be styled with jeans or joggers for a relaxed look or with tailored trousers or skirts.
The Johnny collar has its roots in mid-20th century fashion, emerging in the 1950s and 1960s as a popular design feature in men’s and women’s casual wear. Originally seen on polo shirts and knitwear, the Johnny collar became associated with a sporty, preppy style that emphasized clean lines and a neat, open neckline. Over time, this collar style transitioned into various garments, including sweatshirts, offering a blend of relaxed comfort and vintage-inspired sophistication.
Conclusion
Not offering a variety of sweatshirts to customers can be a missed opportunity for clothing brands. Sweatshirts are an essential part of a woman’s wardrobe, providing comfort and style across different occasions. While they may appear straightforward, sweatshirts are among the most versatile and popular items, frequently purchased by shoppers seeking both functionality and fashion. Their relatively low production cost and high demand make them a valuable addition to any collection, ensuring steady market growth.
Customers are always on the lookout for unique sweatshirt styles that reflect their personal tastes and lifestyle. Therefore, understanding which sweatshirt designs to offer while aligning with your brand’s aesthetic is crucial. If you’re interested in creating any of the sweatshirt styles mentioned above for your brand, please feel free to contact us!
