It’s a little ridiculous to be writing this in the aftermath of a heat dome that absolutely decimated any plans I had a few weeks ago, but hear me out: These hot summer nights won’t last forever. The nice weather is here to stay, but those cooler summer nights are going to be coming sooner rather than later.
Here in Pittsburgh, it’s not uncommon that it stays fairly temperate into late October, which always leaves me wanting versatile pieces that can stand up to multiple shifts in temperature throughout the day. This is in addition to my daily struggle going into the office, where I have to weigh the outside temperature (boiling-lava hot) with the unchangeable temperature of my office (frigid like the Antarctic research station from John Carpenter’s The Thing).
I find that I often don’t want to wear a button-up in the summer (or when I do I want to wear one, it tends be a thinner material that doesn’t really keep me warm), and a light jacket seems a little excessive for the season, which leaves me wanting something that I can throw on and take off without thinking too much about it.
Enter the crewneck sweatshirt. I resisted crewnecks for a long time, but I genuinely find they’re one of the most versatile pieces in my wardrobe—I can pair them with basically anything I want and still feel comfortable no matter the outfit.
So, we’ve picked out our favorite sweatshirts for cool summer nights. These picks favor breathable fabrics (very important when it’s warm out) and for the most part are easy to care for (also important when you’re throwing them in a backpack).
The 5 Best Crewneck Sweatshirts
Goodwear S-Curve Raglan Sleeve Crew
For a throwback fit at a killer price, check out Goodwear’s selection. Founded in 1983 and still USA-made, the S-Curve Raglan Sleeve Crew is a great option if you’re looking for something simple that you can throw on regardless of the weather. Its longer ribbed hems and cuffs are perfect for a retro look, and its fleece interior is guaranteed to keep you warm if you end up in blustery winds or unseasonably cool nights.
Buy: $32
Reigning Champ Midweight Terry Relaxed Crewneck
We’re all about the relaxed fits these days, and this super-cozy terry sweatshirt from comfort-couture gods Reigning Champ absolutely delivers the goods. We’d go as far as to call it the perfect fit for 2024—just billowy enough without ever looking clownish.
Buy: $95
Todd Snyder + Champion Midweight Pocket Sweatshirt
I own several Champion brand sweatshirts and one Todd Snyder sweatshirt in a faded black that I absolutely adore, and I’d highly recommend picking up one of these collab sweatshirts if you’re looking to dip your toe into athleticwear and favor brand recognition. After years of pretty heavy wear, my Champion sweatshirts have a good bit of fraying around the cuffs, but my Todd Snyder sweatshirt is still in near-perfect condition. This collab sweatshirt also has a looped French terry interior as opposed to the Champion sweatshirt’s fleece-lined interior, which may cool you down a little bit more if the temperature ends up being warmer than you anticipated.
Buy: $98
J. Crew 1988 Heritage Cotton Rollneck Sweater
For a slightly more maritime twist on the pullover, the J. Crew cotton rollneck is a great choice. Borrowing its design from the ’80s and ’90s, the rollneck is a burly piece that’s fairly breathable thanks to its knit and 100% cotton construction. I love a rollneck because I don’t have the confidence to pull off a turtleneck but I still find the high collar great for keeping out gusts of wind and making a bit of a statement. Best of all, this piece is machine washable, which means you can toss it in the wash and not have to worry about it getting destroyed.
Buy: $98
Taylor Stitch Apres Crew
Visibly, this is very similar to the Todd Snyder piece I mentioned earlier—a garment-dyed crew sweatshirt that’s now sadly discontinued. It features similar side ribbing and smaller collar that create a flattering silhouette while still being understated enough to dress up or down. Much like the Todd Snyder + Champion, it’s made of French terry and Taylor Stitch’s commitment to small batch manufacturing also means that this may become a collector’s item when it sells out.
Buy: $108
Merz b. Schwanen Men’s Waffle Pullover
Out of all the crewneck pullovers I own, this is the one that I wear the most, bar none. Merz b. Schwanen has garnered a lot of buzz by being the proprietor behind one of Carmy’s expertly styled shirts on The Bear and the quality is evident in this piece as well. The waffle pullover is warm without being overly hot, it has a roomy fit that’s easy to layer, and its cotton/cashmere blend makes it exquisitely soft while still being breathable. I really can’t say enough good things about this crewneck—it gets me nothing but compliments whenever I wear it. The pattern makes it easy to style with a variety of different pieces and it can easily be dressed up or down without much trouble. If you’re willing to spring for a premium, the Merz waffle pullover is a piece you can keep in your wardrobe for the rest of your life. And even better? It’s still machine washable.
Buy: $198
