Best women's sweatshirts: cool, comfy and stylish picks to buy now

Let’s face it, not many of us are ready to kick our loungewear habit just yet. Two years of comfiness has revealed a penchant for sweatshirts that shows no sign of abating, and the shops are stuffed with stylish options right now.

Though they originated as sportswear, sweatshirts have grown to be one of the most versatile items in our wardrobes. Paired with leggings or a pencil skirt, a sweatshirt is always appropriate.

While our heads might be easily turned by a good-looking sweatshirt, it’s the ones that are softest and cosiest that end up getting worn day in, day out and season after season. We all have a favourite go-to sweatshirt, and, never ones to hold a lukewarm opinion, Mumsnetters are on hand to evangelise about the sweatshirts they rate most highly.

Here are the best women’s sweatshirts to buy this year.

1. Best overall sweatshirt: Scamp & Dude Leopard Sweatshirt

Price: £55 | Buy now from Scamp & Dude

"I live in Scamp & Dude sweatshirts for most of the year, they wash really well" - recommended by Mumsnet user, Lorelaithe1st

"Scamp & Dude are the softest cosiest sweatshirts I own, and they are long enough in the body and arm. Worth the price tag" - tried and tested by Mumsnet user, ProfessorInkling

"Honestly, just get a Scamp and Dude, they're really lovely" - rated by Mumsnet user, TokyoSushi

With their lovely soft, thick fabric and eye-popping patterns, Scamp & Dude are runaway favourites with Mumsnetters. We love this neutral leopard print style with a raspberry collar and cuffs, featuring the signature Scamp & Dude embroidered "superpower button" - which gives the wearer a burst of metaphorical superpowers. If you like to match, this sweatshirt is also available in kids’ sizes.

Key specs

• Material: Organic cotton

• Size range: XXS-XXXL

2. Best budget sweatshirt: Fruit of the Loom Lightweight Heather Sweatshirt

Price: From £7 | Buy now from Amazon

"Try Fruit of the Loom on Amazon for plain, cotton, sensible hoodies" - recommended by Mumsnet user, gaggiagirl

No wardrobe is complete without a heather grey sweatshirt, and this one from Fruit of the Loom is a classic. Featuring raglan sleeves and a slightly tailored waist, these run small so it’s best to size up if you’re looking for a relaxed, slouchy fit. The fabric is soft and fleecy on the inside, and not too thick, making this a great top for layering in cold weather or chucking on on chilly summer evenings.

Key specs

• Material: Cotton and polyester

• Size range: XS-XXL

3. Best quality sweatshirt: Sweaty Betty After Class Cropped Sweatshirt

Price: £60 | Buy now from Sweaty Betty

"I have a cropped Sweaty Betty one that I bought recently from their sale and love how soft it is and how long the sleeves are - they also have thumbs holes to help keep my hands warm" - recommended by Mumsnet user, SirSidneyRuffDiamond

"Sweaty Betty - the nicest but very expensive, feels like cashmere but is just cotton" - rated by Mumsnet user, ExConstance

Made from incredibly soft, silky organic cotton, this cropped sweatshirt from Sweaty Betty is a thing of beauty. Designed to be worn after a workout, it’s got a roomy, boxy cut and cute thumb holes at the cuffs. While it’s at the higher end price-wise, this is a sweatshirt where you can really tell the difference, and Mumsnetters say it’s worth the extra pennies.

Key specs

• Material: Organic cotton

• Size range: XXS-XXL

4. Best crewneck sweatshirt: Amazon Essentials French Terry Crewneck Sweatshirt

Price: £10 | Buy now from Amazon

"Thick, fleecy on the inside, wash and wear well, inexpensive for multiple purchases, and quite a few colours/variants" - recommended by Mumsnet user, OhLordyWhatNow

Available in 30 colours, this classic sweatshirt from Amazon Essentials is sure to be a wardrobe staple. We love this chic striped number, which we’d pair with slouchy jeans. The sweatshirt is made from French terry fleece, which has a looser weave than traditional sweatshirt fabric, giving a subtly draped fit.

Key specs

• Material: Cotton and polyester

• Size range: XS-XXL

5. Best hooded sweatshirt: Regatta Meakin Sweater

Price: From £16 | Buy now from Amazon

"Regatta do nice plain ones, well fitting, reasonable price" - recommended by CloudsCanLookLikeSheep

"I have a Regatta one that is mega warm and all their stuff seems to wash and wear well" - rated by Mumsnet user, QueenPaw

This practical, sporty hoodie from Regatta is perfect for layering. Made from a poly-cotton blend, it’s warm and breathable without being bulky, making it really versatile. We love the zip-up pockets for keeping your essentials from getting lost while you’re out walking, and the zip comes right up over your chin, keeping the hood in place and the cold out.

Key specs

• Material: Polyester, cotton and elastane

• Size range: 8-20

6. Best sustainable sweatshirt: BAM Nattadon Mid Layer Sweatshirt

Price: £55 | Buy now from BAM

"Bam do a really good range of staple t-shirts and lightweight sweater-ish tops. They wash well & tumble dry on cool setting with no problems" - recommended by Mumsnet user, MeandT

"I have one from BAM that I took a punt on and LOVE" - tried and tested by Mumsnet user, SunnyUpNorth

Not just for socks and pandas, bamboo is now taking over the wardrobe of eco-conscious Mumsnetters. BAM specialises in the sustainable wonder-fabric and this seafoam sweatshirt is one of their greatest hits. The bamboo viscose fabric is gorgeously soft and the cut is flattering - as with all bamboo clothing, it’s moisture wicking, making this a great workout sweatshirt.

Key specs

• Material: Bamboo viscose, cotton and elastane

• Size range: 8-16

7. Best printed sweatshirt: Neon Marl Leopard Bolt Flash Sweatshirt

Price: £40 | Buy now from Neon Marl

"Check out Neon Marl online, I've got a couple of theirs and they are lovely and soft and cosy" - recommended by Mumsnet user, strawberrie

"Have you looked at Neon Marl, they do some lovely sweatshirts, hoodies and t's. It's all they sell, loads of colours and designs." - rated by Mumsnet user, Rina66

Want to look like an off-duty superhero? This flashy lightning bolt sweatshirt from Neon Marl is just the thing. Known for its compliment-attracting abilities, Mumsnetters love Neon Marl’s colourful designs and great quality fabrics. Our favourite is this jade green one, but there are five other colours to choose from. If you prefer a fitted look, size down as this one’s designed to be slouchy.

Key specs

• Material: Cotton and polyester

• Size range: XS-XXL

8. Best striped sweatshirt: Joules Harlton Funnel Sweatshirt

Price: £36 | Buy now from Amazon

"I have bought a few Joules things and the quality has always been good and they have lasted well. I bought a hoodie sweatshirt about 10 years ago from there and its still in decent condition" - recommended by Mumsnet user, 5foot5

A preppy take on the classic sweatshirt, we love the rugby-shirt-esque details on this Harlton sweatshirt. There’s a cosy kangaroo pocket and the drawstring isn’t just for show - you can adjust the funnel neck when you need a bit of extra warmth - making it a brilliant layering piece for dog walks or blustery beach trips.

Key specs

• Material: Cotton

• Size range: 6-20

9. Best soft sweatshirt: Kin by John Lewis Panelled Sweatshirt

Price: £49 | Buy now from John Lewis & Partners

"Kin from John Lewis. Their own brand. Lovely and washes up great" - recommended by Mumsnet user, copperoliver

Made from 100% cotton, this cool, boxy sweatshirt from John Lewis’s Kin range makes a tangy addition to any wardrobe. There’s nothing worse than a brand new, soft sweatshirt turning crispy after its first wash, and Mumsnetters say this one won’t let you down in that department. It’s cut to be oversized, so pick a size down if you like a slinkier fit.

Key specs

• Material: Cotton

• Size range: XS-XL

10. Best longline sweatshirt: Puma Elongated Hoodie

Price: £35 | Buy now from Amazon

"I got 2 from the Puma website 2 weeks ago. It's a 'boyfriend' type cut. They're so comfortable and cosy" - recommended by Mumsnet user, ConfusedcomMum

For a sporty look and a bit of extra coverage, this hoodie by Puma is a great choice. Cut long to cover your hips and bum, it goes well with leggings. The length makes this one even cosier, plus it’s made with 30% recycled fabrics and is part of the Better Cotton Initiative, so it scores eco-friendly points too.

Key specs

• Material: Cotton and polyester

• Size range: XS-XXL

What to look for when buying a sweatshirt

A comfortable fit is the number one priority when sweatshirt shopping. Sizing can vary wildly, as some labels cut their sweatshirts for a baggier, oversized fit, so it’s a good idea to try on your sweatshirt, order a couple of sizes, check out reviews or roundups like this one before you settle on your new chill-out uniform.

What’s the best material for a women’s sweatshirt?

A high cotton content with a bit of stretch is the best type of fabric mix for sweatshirts. A thick cotton jersey is the classic sweatshirt fabric, while French terry is a slightly slouchier alternative.

What’s the best women’s sweatshirt to buy?

Scamp & Dude is a clear favourite among Mumsnetters. The brand's cool sweatshirts combine comfort and style by the bucketload.

How we chose our recommendations

Because we know that there’s nothing like a real recommendation from a real fashionista, we first headed to the Mumsnet forums to find out which sweatshirts were rated by stylish Mumsnet users. We compiled a list of the best sweatshirts for women they loved for fit, comfort, style and value-for-money.

We then did some research across the wider web, looking at which sweatshirts were recommended by fashion experts and bloggers - and what customer reviews said about them too.

Having collated all that information, we picked the best sweatshirts that we thought would make the best buys.

Why you should trust us

We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.