How to Wear a Short-Sleeve Sweatshirt, A Summer Must-Have for Every Gent

We put together 8 fits featuring the perfect post-pandemic garment, and none will make you look like Bill Belichick

May 24, 2021 11:10 am
The short sleeve sweatshirt: a criminally underrated garment if ever there was one.
The short sleeve sweatshirt: a criminally underrated garment if ever there was one.

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It’s official: we are back out here, y’all. One glance at your correspondent’s Instagram feed last weekend yielded images and clips of friends all around the country gathering in fine weather for all manner of revelry, and I, for one, am super pumped to start dressin’ for good times again.

And thus I am here to recommend what I believe to be a criminally underrated warm-weather garment that will be my go-to as I re-emerge into society: the short sleeve sweatshirt. I refer to all crewneck sweatshirts as a “crewie” (as opposed to a “hoodie,” I’m still hoping the trend will catch on), and in my opinion a s/s crewie is a supremely versatile piece that has been unfairly pigeonholed into vintage gym-rat territory. It fits a wide variety of personal styles and occasions, and is a great transitional top when you want to exercise your right to bare arms but it’s not quite warm enough for just a tee (or when you just want to give the tee a break and change it up).

Lucky for me (and you), the fine folks at Todd Snyder share my enthusiasm for the s/s crewie, which they make in collaboration with legendary sportswear brand Champion in an absolutely silly number of colors — seriously, Todd might be the only dude who rides for this particular garment even harder than I do.

Herewith, my recommendations for eight different ensembles utilizing the s/s crewie, each unique but all a great look for the season. Read on and decide which fits your upcoming social schedule best.

The All-American

Heather grey is the OG of s/s crewie colors, and does have arguably the highest “headed to the ol’ gymnasium” quotient of the bunch. But pair it with dark denim, a lighter denim jacket and a pair of old school Cons? You’re just dialing up nostalgic Americana to supremely stylish effect. 

Todd Snyder Midweight Short Sleeve Sweatshirt in Charcoal Mix

Todd Snyder Midweight Short Sleeve Sweatshirt in Charcoal Mix

Levi's Light Wash Trucker Jacket

Levi’s Light Wash Trucker Jacket

Imogene + Willie Barton Slim Indigo Rigid Denim

Imogene + Willie Barton Slim Indigo Rigid Denim

Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star

The Matching Kit

Grabbing a matching pair of sweat shorts to go with your crewie is a surefire streetwear-y hit, but it helps if you’re working with a left-of-center color like this lilac — it just makes the whole thing seem more intentional, and thus, cooler. Bully for you if you can grab a pair of trainers that feature the same color, and please be advised that a nice bit of wrist jewelry can help to elevate the proceedings.

Todd Snyder Midweight Short Sleeve Sweatshirt in Pale Violet

Todd Snyder Midweight Short Sleeve Sweatshirt in Pale Violet

Todd Snyder 7" Midweight Warmup Short in Pale Violet

Todd Snyder 7″ Midweight Warmup Short in Pale Violet

Nike Air Max 97 By You

Nike Air Max 97 By You

Miansai 3mm ID Chain Bracelet in Gold Vermeil

Miansai 3mm ID Chain Bracelet in Gold Vermeil

The Rock n’ Rolla

Proof that the s/s crewie isn’t purely the domain of sporty looks — in a washed-out dark color like this dirty plum it pairs great with dark jeans and beat-up boots for some rough-and-tumble swagger. A handsome black timepiece with a little edge never hurt, either.

Todd Snyder Midweight Short Sleeve Sweatshirt in Black Plum

Todd Snyder Midweight Short Sleeve Sweatshirt in Black Plum

Uniqlo Selvedge Stretch Slim-Fit Jeans in Black

Uniqlo Selvedge Stretch Slim-Fit Jeans in Black

Frye Tyler Lace-Up Boots

Frye Tyler Lace-Up Boots

TAG Heuer Monaco

TAG Heuer Monaco

The Sporty Throwback

Now, this is not all to say that you have to abandon the athletic roots of the s/s crewie entirely — in fact, it makes for a great addition to a sporty kit like this in that it looks a bit more put together than a T-shirt would when your jacket is off. As for the color scheme, check out a vintage Pepsi can and tell us this ain’t what’s up.

Todd Snyder Midweight Short Sleeve Sweatshirt in Powder Blue

Todd Snyder Midweight Short Sleeve Sweatshirt in Powder Blue

Adidas Adicolor Classics Primeblue SST Track Jacket

Adidas Adicolor Classics Primeblue SST Track Jacket

Todd Snyder Midweight Slim Jogger Pant in Original Navy

Todd Snyder Midweight Slim Jogger Pant in Original Navy

AETHER Dalton Low-Top Sneaker

AETHER Dalton Low-Top Sneaker

The Pink and Tan

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: pink and brown is one of the most slept-on color combinations out there, and more of us need to lean into it. Two great tastes that taste great together, especially when you mix up the deep tan of the chinos with some darker textured suede at the waistline and on your feet. Bonus chill vibes (a perfect fit for the crewie) courtesy of the mocs.

Todd Snyder Midweight Short Sleeve Sweatshirt in Pink Petal

Todd Snyder Midweight Short Sleeve Sweatshirt in Pink Petal

Todd Snyder Slim-Fit 5 Pocket Chino in Barley

Todd Snyder Slim-Fit 5 Pocket Chino in Barley

Minnetonka Double Bottom Hardsole Moccasin

Minnetonka Double Bottom Hardsole Moccasin

Polo Ralph Lauren Suede D-Ring Belt

Polo Ralph Lauren Suede D-Ring Belt

The Artful Fade

In other chromatic news, faded colors = relaxed, beachy feel = perfect for summer. This superlight pastel green is the perfect pairing for your most washed-out denim, which you should then cuff before slipping your feet into a pair of Sabahs (arguably our all-time favorite summer shoe). Add a pop of color at the wrist and you’re good to go.

Todd Snyder Midweight Short Sleeve Sweatshirt in Light Pistachio

Todd Snyder Midweight Short Sleeve Sweatshirt in Light Pistachio

Todd Snyder Slim-Fit Stretch Jean in Bleachout Wash

Todd Snyder Slim-Fit Stretch Jean in Bleachout Wash

Sabahs Ashmore Grey Sabah

Sabahs Ashmore Grey Sabah

Shinola "Silly Putty" Detrola 43mm Watch

Shinola “Silly Putty” Detrola 43mm Watch

The Snazzy Seafarer

Calling all preps and sailing (or just sailing attire) enthusiasts — navy, white and yellow are staples of the nautical flag canon, and slightly subverting expectation by pairing your crewie with some sportier shorts from a brand like Kappa is a great way to execute on it. Matching Sperrys + stylin’ sunnies obviously a must.

Todd Snyder Midweight Short Sleeve Sweatshirt in Original Navy

Todd Snyder Midweight Short Sleeve Sweatshirt in Original Navy

Kappa Banda Coney Nylon Active Shorts

Kappa Banda Coney Nylon Active Shorts

Sperry Authentic Original Cross Lace Seersucker Boat Shoe

Sperry Authentic Original Cross Lace Seersucker Boat Shoe

SPY+ Bewilder Sunglasses

SPY+ Bewilder Sunglasses

The Happy Camper

This one’s for those summer nights ‘round the campfire when you want to maintain a warm core but keep your arms freewheelin’ — and in those scenarios, a camo cap and brawny pair of boots are ideal accoutrement.

Todd Snyder Midweight Short Sleeve Sweatshirt in Mossy Brown

Todd Snyder Midweight Short Sleeve Sweatshirt in Mossy Brown

Filson Featherweight Down Vest

Filson Featherweight Down Vest

Howler Bros. Electric Snapback in Camo

Howler Bros. Electric Snapback in Camo

Wolverine 1,000 Mile Wedge Boot

Wolverine 1,000 Mile Wedge Boot

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