How a hoodie should fit
A garment that speaks loudly while doing very little, the humble hoodie carries many an association. A sartorial shapeshifter, it’s the uniform for the comfort-led, the outcast in every American drama series circa the noughties, the alley-prowling criminal, the streetwear-savvy, the thieving girlfriend, and the off-duty professional all at once. The hoodie was originally created by American clothing company Champion as a way to keep athletes dry and warm when the weather wouldn’t cooperate. Today, it’s firmly under fashion’s wing as an accepted expression of casual style.
No matter what or who it may label you as, the hoodie is probably the most comfortable piece of clothing in your closet. This makes them very loved indeed, and as we keep saying, when you’re confident and love what you’re wearing, you’re bound to look great. However, unless you’re Justin Bieber or a total streetwear pro, wearing a hoodie that is three sizes too big and comes down to your knees may not be the most wearable style choice. We’ve got a handful of tips from Thread stylist Luke McDonald to ensure your hoodie fits just right.
Fit
“Go for the goldilocks option, right in the middle. It shouldn’t be too baggy or too tight. Seeing as sportswear is in its DNA, a hoodie should be easy to move around in. It needs to be practical, comfortable and also not bulge around your midsection like a kangaroo pocket. The hoodie looks best when it’s tight enough to hold its shape but doesn’t droop. As a general rule, you want it to sit firmly where all the ribbing is, i.e., around the wrist and the hips.”
Length
“Ideally, your hoodie should sit above the fly of your trousers. Proportionally, this looks best. When your hoodie is too long, it makes your legs look shorter.
Sleeves
“The sleeves need to sit at the wrist, around where the cuff of a shirt would. You don’t want it to go over your hands.”
Neck
“It shouldn’t be super loose around your neck so you’re showing lots of chest. Luckily, you can use the drawstrings to adjust.”
