You are currently viewing A Guide to Wear a Hoodie for Various Occasions and Personal Styles
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Ever since the rise of athleisure fashion, hoodies are mainstream fashion and no longer just for sport like in the 1970s. Whether you are dressing for the office, a casual outing, or going out, there is a hoodie look for every occasion. Because they are very versatile, a hooded sweatshirt can be a workhorse in your wardrobe. Furthermore, the versality of cuts adds to the possibilities of wearing a garment that can cover your head when needed.

When you wonder about ways to wear a hoodie, you’re lucky. This ultimate guide namely shows various ways what to wear with a hoodie! Read how to dress this sweatshirt with hood up or down, and embrace the many different types of hooded garments. This guide answers the question “what should I wear with a hoodie”, and provides inspirations to style a hoodie at any age to look effortlessly chic. Discover how to wear a hoodie in style where, when, for which occasions at any age, no matter of your personal style.

 

 

What Are the Different Types of Hoodies?

This garment is all about embracing comfort and functionality. Hoodies have become popular due to their versatility. Tops with a hood namely come in form of jackets, sweaters, vests, dresses, capes and even as hooded leather jackets. There exist cropped and long styles, oversize and tailored cuts. Sleeves come in all lengths including the grunge-style thumb-hole.

 

Why to Wear a Hoodie When You Work Out?

Originally, the attire was designed for workout. Therefore, a hoodie is in style as a sporty, athletic laid-back look with leggings for the gym or track-pants for jogging. The combination with track pants or leggings for the gym and running is a natural, instance style. It’s the easiest way to don the garment at any age.

Furthermore, pieces designed for high activity consist of moisture-wicking material. Such fabrics are best to achieve the required cooling from evaporation of your sweat.

 

Is It in Fashion to Wear a Hoodie with Sportswear Bottoms in Public?

Yes, it’s a Do. But how to style a hoodie and leggings or other sport gear inspired bottoms for comfort in public, for instance, on travel?  Exactly like Victoria Song who wore an outfit with printed leggings, aviator jacket and baseball cap. Instead of leggings try a sleek, trendy ensemble with jogging pants. Doing so  take an inspiration from Wu Jinyan who combined a long front-zipper jacket-version that covers the bum with joggers and combat boots.

Tip: Beyond the gym, the hoodie-leggings or hoodie-joggers combination with sleek street sneakers is great for running errands in style.

 

examples how to wear a top with hood with sport pants
Left: Chinese actress Wu Jinyan arrives at the Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, China, 6 April 2019. Left middle: Chinese singer and actress Victoria Song or Song Qian at the Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport in Shanghai, China, 24 January 2018. Her outfit is an example for how to wear a too large hoodie. Her look is also a great way how to style an oversized hood jacket casually. Both photos by ChinaImages. Source: deposit.com. Middle right and right: Me wearing an ensemble with sequin  joggers and camouflage joggers.

 

Can You Wear a Hoodie for Work?

How to style a hoodie for work is easiest by adding a tailored piece in a neutral color of your personal season. You can wear a hooded top with a tailored blazer or jacket, dress pants and sleek boots or heels for a posh Casual Friday outfit. Finish the look with a man’s or minimalist watch. The look also works for a casual office setting or a startup firm’s business casual event.

 

How to Style a Hoodie and Jeans

Pair a hoodie with jeans, sneakers or ankle boots for a casual running errands or grabbing-coffee with friends outfit. When your style is Grunge, use a distressed pair and add (Dr. Martens) combat or platform boots. A slim-fitting style in a neutral color with medium- to dark-wash boot-cut jeans, wood-sandals, fedora, guitar shoulder-band leather tote or straw bag and a biker leather jacket for a comfortable, carefree California Casual look.

 

4 outfit inspirations of hoodies and jeans
Outfit ideas with jeans of different cuts, and wash/color. Cuts: Cape, mini-dress or tunic, sweater, vest.

 

Tip: Try different washes, colored denim or leather pants instead of the classic indigo jeans.

 

Cute Ways to Style a Hoodie for the Weekend

Try them with leggings or joggers with ballet flats and pumps, respectively. Embrace the sporty chic trend by pairing your sweater with hood with satin or leather joggers. Try an oversized version with skinnies or tuxedo pants that have a sequin stripe along the outer legs. It’s a perfect look for watching movies with friends or family on Thanksgiving or Christmas Day too.

Cape-hoodies look cute with shorts and patterned tights.

 

How Can You Wear Your Hoodie with a Skirt or Dress?

Tip: Create a contrast between soft, flowy fabrics and the casual, relaxed vibe of the hoodie to make a statement.

When your personal style is Bohemian style wear your hoodie with a flowy maxi skirt or over a maxi dress. Chunky boots, clogs or sturdy heels complete the look. The romantic style lady may try the pieces in a pastel with a floral print dress and ballet flats. For a feminine preppy style try it with a pleated midi skirt and pumps.

Tip: Combine different textures for a cool, trendy look for a night on the town.

If you love street style, edgy or eclectic outfits, pair your hoodie with a leather-, sequin-  or a denim skirt. Add ankle boots for a tough, edgy vibe, strappy heels to elevate an eclectic style outfit. Finish the hoodie and skirt combination with statement jewelry and a trendy bag.

 

 

4 examples how to wear a hooded sweater with a skirt or dress
Hoodie outfit ideas (from left to right) zipped up over a dress  with pointy toe flats, and pendant necklace; as top with a midi skirt, pantyhose and pumps; as long vest layered over a printed denim jacket with jean shirt, jean skirt, statement belt, beret, tights and fall sandals;  as long vest layered over a suede utility jacket and T-shirt with kilt, tights, chunky tall boots and statement necklace.

 

What to Pair with a Hooded Dress?

Typically, a dress with hood is made from cotton, bamboo, hemp or their blends in single jersey fabric like a sweater dress. Therefore, style it like that-casually with a sneakers, or sandals, and riding boots with tights in the warm and cold season, respectively. Accentuate your waist with a belt or knot a shirt or knit jacket around the waist.

Tip: A hooded dress looks great over straight jeans like a kuspuk.

Style the more expensive versions made of cashmere, wool or blend thereof or wool/cotton blends like you would style a knit dress. However, because of the hood accessorize this loose knit dress with longer pendant or opera-length pearl necklaces or brooches.

 

Mixing and Matching Textures and Patterns with Your Hoodie

Of course, you can mix prints and patterns with your hooded sweatshirt like with any other clothes. Mixing textures looks best when styling a monochromatic outfit. Both styling techniques bring visual interest to your hoodie outfits. When your style is eclectic, try mixing textures and patterns while matching the different colors.

Tip: Choose prints with a similar color palette or complementary color palette and ground your outfit with a neutral color to create a cohesive and well put-together look.

When mixing textures, the matt single jersey paired with soft and fluffy fabrics like faux fur or velvet results in a cozy, casual look. On the contrary, pairing it with sleek, shiny fabrics like silk or satin yields a more polished, sophisticated look.

 

Which Accessories Are Best to Complete a Hoodie Outfit?

Belting is perfect to define your waist and create a feminine silhouette. Layering dainty necklaces or bracelets or adding an arm party can add a touch of glam.

Tip: Chop your sleeves to 3/4 length to showcase the arm party.

When it comes to enhancing your look with earrings go for a short style like studs or pearls. They namely reduce the risk to be tangled up with the cord.

Carry a bag that reflects your personal style or underlines the vibe of the look you go for. When in doubt, a minimalist crossbody bag is a great option.

 

Tip: When the garment has no front (kangaroo) pocket to warm your hands create a waist with a belt or shirt.

 

Can You Wear a Hat with a Hoodie?

Yes, it’s in fashion. While not necessary, add a beanie or baseball cap for a stylish casual, a headband for a romantic, feminine, a brimmed hat for an edgy, or a beret for a gamine style vibe.

 

Which Shoes to Wear with a Hooded Sweatshirt Outfit?

For a casual, laid-back look wear trendy sneakers or ankle boots with your hooded sweatshirt. Create a sophisticated, glamourous outfit with sleek heels or platform boots. Strappy sandals add a feminine, romantic vibe. Chunky shoes work with Bohemian style or street chic outfits.

Tip: When your personal style is eclectic and it rains, wear Wellies.

 

Wearing Your Hoodie as Outerwear for Thermal Comfort in Effortlessly Chic Style

A leopard print faux fur hoodie-vest or hooded down vest outfit over a thick knitted sweater are great options as outerwear for thermal comfort in fall.

Hooded leather jackets, aviator jackets or coats as well as anoraks and parkas are outerwear. Therefore, style your outerwear as typical for these garments.

 

3 hooded outerwear outfit inspiration vest, aviator and leather jacket
Hoodie as outerwear: From left to right puffer vest style over leather bomber, knit dress with chunky boots and beanie hat; aviator jacket over sweater, full skirt with riding boots; leather jacket with sweater, buckled shearling booties, chunky pendant necklace and camouflage pants.

 

 

3 outfit ideas how to style hooded outerwear
Outfit inspirations how to style hooded outerwear.

 

Tip: Try layering a hooded vest over a coat or jacket.

 

 

Outerwear: What to Wear Over a Hoodie?

This question nails down to what coat to pair with a hoodie and the art of layering. Layering is not only incredibly stylish, but also essential for warmth. Therefore, add a blazer or leather jacket over your hoodie sweater or cardigan for a cozy look in spring or fall.

 

2 examples of what coat to pair with a hoodie
What to wear over a hoodie should have a V-neck. This cut permits pulling the hood over the coat’s collar without feeling “strangled” around the neck. Left: Tailored leather coat with faux fur collar. Right: Classic pea coat.

 

Wear a hooded cardigan or sweater with a cropped jean jacket on top for a cool, casual season transition look for hanging out with friends, watching the kids, or walking the dog.

Tip: Try a bold color version as a peek of color when layering in fall or winter with coats and overcoats.

A biker-, aviator (see Victoria Song)  or cropped denim jacket over your kangaroo jacket looks great with distressed jeans or a denim skirt plus sneakers or ankle boots. Don these looks for running errands, grabbing lunch or hanging out with friends.

Tip: Always pull the hood out of the collar of your outerwear to not look like the humpback.

 

Celebrity Hoodie Fashion Inspiration

What can you wear with a hoodie has multiple answers depending on the venue, weather, your personal style and the cut.

Tip: Because celebrities often employ stylists, take a looks at their Instagram feeds for your outfit inspirations.

 

Lauren Storm in Tee with skirt showcasing what to wear with a hoodie
Lauren Storm ensemble at Bogart Backstage 2006 Children’s Choice Awards is a foolproof timeless classic combination. Palladium, Hollywood, CA 11-05-06 — Photo by S. Bukley. Source: depositphotos.com.

 

Casual Yet Stylish

Selena Gomez wears the It piece with leggings or distressed jeans paired with ankle boots and sunglasses.

 

Monochromatic All Black NYC Style

Bella Hadid looks very East Coast Chic in black everything: shorts, socks, sneakers, baseball cap, puffer vest over her kangaroo shirt and sling bag.

 

Effortlessly Cool and Laid-Back

Gigi Hadid wears this athleisure piece with distressed jeans, ankle boots, a leather jacket and wide-brim hat.

 

Chic, Polished, Sophisticated and Put-Together

Kendall Jenner pairs her hooded top with a midi skirt or tailored pants and sleek heels.

 

Sporty Glam Jogger

J. Lo wears a 1980s-inspired gray baggy jogging suit with dirty gym shoes, big modern mirrored shades, big hoops and a ballerina bun. She strikes a very risky balance that probably only a person like her can pull off.

 

Bold, Edgy, Cool, Casual

Rihanna rocks her hooded sweatshirt with high-waisted leather pants or jeans. She accessorizes the ensemble with oversized sunglasses or a chunky necklace.

 

References

Selena Gomez Instagram. Retrieved 12/2023.

Mölders, N., 2023. Discover the Relation between Fashion, Fabrics, Weather, and Comfort. Amazon Publishing Pros.

Who What Wear. Retrieved 12/2023.

 

Photos of me: G. Kramm

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