Hoodie, Sweatshirt or Jumper: What's the Difference (and Which to Choose)?

Hoodie, sweater, sweatshirt, jumper, pullover… In shops and online these words get mixed up all the time. Yet there are real differences, and they determine how warm, comfortable and versatile your piece of clothing is. Here's a plain-language explanation of what's what, and when to choose which.

Sweater and sweatshirt: the same thing

A sweatshirt (often simply called a sweater) is a long-sleeved top made from a soft jersey-type fabric, usually cotton or a cotton-polyester blend. The inside is often lightly brushed, which makes it feel soft and warm.

Features:

• round neck (crewneck);
• ribbed cuffs and hem;
• sewn from pieces of fabric, not knitted.

Hoodie: a sweatshirt with a hood

A hoodie is basically a sweatshirt with a hood. It usually also has a kangaroo pocket at the front where you can keep your hands. That makes a hoodie feel a bit more casual and "outdoorsy".

The hood is more than a detail: in wind or a light shower it keeps your head and neck warm. A double-layered hood keeps its shape better and is warmer.

Jumper: knitted

A jumper (or knitted sweater) is knitted, from wool, acrylic or a blend. Think of a classic cable-knit. Jumpers are often warm and airy, but more prone to pilling and shrinking.

The difference in one table

What does 280 g/m² mean?

With sweatshirts and hoodies you often see a number like 280 g/m². That's the fabric weight: how much one square metre of fabric weighs.

• Up to around 200 g/m²: light, for spring and cooler summer evenings.
• Around 250-300 g/m²: mid-weight, sturdy and warm but not heavy. Ideal for autumn and winter.
• Above around 350 g/m²: heavy, very warm, but also stiff.

Our sweatshirts and hoodies are 280 g/m², made of 80% cotton and 20% polyester. The cotton makes them soft and pleasant on your skin; the polyester helps them keep their shape and shrink less. The hoodies also have a fleece lining, a double-layered hood and a kangaroo pocket.

When to choose what?

Choose a sweatshirt if…

• you want something that looks slightly smarter, for example over a shirt or under a coat;
• you prefer a clean neckline without a hood on your back;
• you often wear it under a jacket that has its own hood.

Choose a hoodie if…

• you're outside a lot: walking, by the campfire, on a terrace;
• you like keeping your hands warm in a pocket;
• you want a bit of extra protection against wind on your neck.

Choose a jumper if…

• you want maximum warmth in dry, cold weather;
• you love the classic knitted look.

How to keep your hoodie or sweatshirt looking good

Printed clothing lasts much longer with a little care:

1. Turn it inside out before washing.
2. Wash at 30 °C maximum, with similar colours.
3. No tumble dryer: let it air dry.
4. Don't iron the print. If you must iron, do it inside out.

That way the print and the fabric stay beautiful for years.

Which size should you take?

Our sweatshirts and hoodies have a regular fit: not tight, not oversized. If you like a roomy, loose look, go one size up. Every product page has a size chart with the exact measurements.

Frequently asked questions

Is a sweatshirt the same as a jumper?

Not quite. A sweatshirt is sewn from jersey fabric; a jumper is knitted. In everyday language, though, the words are often used interchangeably.

Which is warmer: a hoodie or a sweatshirt?

With the same fabric, a hoodie is slightly warmer thanks to the hood and the extra layer around your neck. A hoodie with a fleece lining is the warmest.

Does a cotton hoodie shrink?

Cotton can shrink a little, especially in the tumble dryer or when washed hot. A blend with polyester, such as 80/20, shrinks less. Wash at 30 °C and let it air dry.

Find your favourite

From the Pine Dusk Hoodie with a row of pine trees to the Crescent Peak Sweatshirt with a crescent moon above the mountains: most of our designs are available as both a hoodie and a sweatshirt. So you can choose what suits you best.