WORDS BY STEPHEN YU
What do Jonah Hill, Kanye West and Shia Le Boeuf all have in common? They all know how to rock a hoodie and make it look good. But don’t think that you have to be a bonafide hoodie enthusiast to join in on the fun. Whether it’s layered under a wool coat, stuffed under a fleece, or just worn over a t-shirt, what’s great about the best hoodies is that they’re one of the most truly democratic pieces of clothing there is.
Alongside the humble t-shirt, the hoodie is one of the few pieces you’ll see worn by blue-collar workers with workwear but also mixed with high-end fashion on Paris runways. They’re a comfy closet staple that everyone needs with an iconic sportswear aesthetic that never goes out of style. Here’s our edit of this season’s top designer hoodies.
The Best Hoodie Brands For Men This Winter
Moncler
If you’re looking for the warmest hoodie in the world, we reckon Moncler might be where your search ends. Cut with the very same padding that they use in their iconic puffer jackets and constructed from a super soft cotton, this could be a lightweight yet warm outer layer for autumnal days, or provide added insulation as a mid-layer under a jacket. Striped detailing on the arms and snap button closure kangaroo pockets only add to this warm hoodie's premium look and feel.
Shop this style: Moncler Padded Zip-Up Cotton Hoodie
Off-White
Virgil Abloh has been the unofficial king of the graphic hoodie ever since he launched his first brand Pyrex Vision. This Off-White hoodie recaptures that mid-naughties aesthetic with Abloh-approved artwork from legendary Italian painter Caravaggio. If it’s good enough for an art gallery wall, it’s definitely good enough for your wardrobe.
Shop this style: Off-White Caravaggio Painting Hoodie
Balenciaga
Prior to Demna Gvasalia’s arrival at Balenciaga, the best designer hoodies always played second fiddle to other pieces in collections –– but not anymore. Whether they’re branded with playful takes on political logos, graphic hoodies featuring fictional boybands, clean and simple with sans serif typeface or massively oversized in true Vetements style, Gvasalia has elevated the art of the hoodie to new levels of refinement. Coming in a perfect royal blue colourway with an on-trend allover retro font print, this Balenciaga hoodie is the perfect statement piece.
Shop this style: Balenciaga All Over Logo Print Hoodie
Raf Simons
The oversized graphic hoodie has become synonymous with Belgian designer Raf Simons, whether it’s SS02’s sleeveless ‘Kollaps’ hoodie or AW03’s ‘Power, Corruption, Lies’ hoodie featuring graphics from Peter Saville, every single hoodie from Simons gets instant grail item status when it’s sold out. Get ahead of the curve this time, this season Raf serves up this super boxy hoodie silhouette in a washed-out red colourway with raglan construction. It’s finished with his signature distressing and graphics referencing Antwerp University and David Bowie.
Shop this style: Raf Simons Oversized Logo Patch Hoodie
Heron Preston
Kanye West told the Wall Street Journal he’d made the perfect hoodie. Meanwhile, Virgil Abloh is the undisputed king of graphic hoodies. Then Heron Preston comes along and delivers this piece of art. Finished in a camo-print that looks like it was created using spray cans by graffiti legend Futura, this hoodie is finished with Preston’s trademark patch detailing on the sleeve. It’s left us wondering, what exactly are they smoking over at DONDA to make hoodies this damn good.
Shop this style: Heron Preston Camouflage Cotton Hoodie
The North Face
This is no ordinary hoodie, this is a North Face hoodie. Featuring a panelled construction, this classic zip-up hoodie looks closer to a piece of outerwear with its slim fit and TNF branding on the shoulder and chest. The finishing details are custom metal drawstring tips and a label at the hem. Made from 100% cotton it’s as cosy as it is cool, which is exactly what you’d expect from the masters of mixing fashion with functionality.
Shop this style: The North Face Hmlyn Zip-Up Hoodie
Nike
While everyone has owned at least one fleece hoodie from the kings of sportswear over in Portland, the Swoosh’s more technical offerings make for some of the best hoodies on the market. This Nike hoodie is modelled on their classic Windrunner jacket and is made from their innovative tech fleece material that’s waffle knitted so it feels extra warm and cushty on the skin, and it looks just as good on the outside as it feels on the inside.
Shop this style: Nike Waffle Texture Zip Hoodie
Tommy Hilfiger
Nothing screams classic Americana more than a collegiate hoodie. But this Tommy Hilfiger hoodie mixes Ivy League preppy with a heavy dose of hip-hop ostentatiousness –– it features regal crest embroidery on the chest yet is constructed from a luxurious faux-fur for a heavenly texture. Taking on a deconstructed aesthetic, the hoodie is split down the middle to creating a two-tone colourway that only adds to this piece’s rebellious streak.
Shop this style: Tommy Hilfiger Faux Fur Crest Embroidery Hoodie