Some garments seem to whisper “comfort” from
the very first moment. They wrap around you, walk with you, and become a kind
of refuge. The sweatshirt belongs to that quiet club of pieces that, without
trying too hard, have carved out their own space in the world of style.
It was born to move, to keep us warm, to
embrace the everyday. But over time, it became a style statement—a silent
declaration of relaxed elegance.
From the Gym to the Streets
The story of the sweatshirt begins in the
1930s, when Benjamin Russell Jr., an American football player, sought a more
comfortable alternative to the itchy wool uniforms worn by college athletes.
And so, the first cotton sweatshirt was born: soft, warm, and
practical—designed for training without discomfort.
What started as a functional piece soon crossed
over from the sports world into pop culture. Hollywood embraced it in the
1950s—James Dean, in all his timeless rebellion, already sensed its magnetic
pull—and American college campuses turned it into a symbol of youth.
But it was Lady Di who, decades later, elevated
the sweatshirt into the realm of effortless luxury. With her iconic off-duty
combinations—oversized sweatshirt, cycling shorts, white socks, and
sneakers—she turned casual dressing into an art form. Her natural grace and
understated elegance marked a turning point in the garment’s history.
From then on, the piece born for athletic
performance became an icon of a new kind of sophistication.
Today, we see it on runways and in boutique
windows, reinterpreted by designers who understand that true luxury lies in
well-crafted comfort. The Row offers sweatshirts in noble fabrics with
architectural cuts; Loewe transforms them into sculptural pieces; Totême and
Khaite pair them with midi skirts or tailored trousers, striking that balance
between structure and softness that defines contemporary style.
The sweatshirt has learned to speak fashion’s
language without losing its essence. It can complement a wool coat, elevate a
pair of jeans, or bring balance to a look featuring a satin skirt and tall
boots.
The secret lies in the small details: slightly
rolling up the sleeves, choosing a neutral palette (ash grey, sand, off-white
or slate blue), and pairing it with accessories that create contrast—gold
jewelry, a structured handbag, or a fragrance that evokes calm.
Getting Dressed, Slowly
Because wearing a sweatshirt doesn’t mean
giving up on style—it means reinterpreting it from a different place: one
that’s more authentic, more intimate. It’s the kind of piece that lets you walk
out the door with your hair up and still feel at home.
And perhaps that’s why it’s still so relevant. Because it connects with a slower, more mindful way of living—where well-being and aesthetics are no longer opposites, but two sides of the same beautiful idea.
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