Confession: I never thought knowing how to style a hoodie was necessary, until recently. It just wasn’t a piece that worked with my personal style (or so I thought). But as someone who keeps a close eye on the latest street style trends—it is my job, after all—I’ve come to realize that true fashion pros are able to make even the most laid-back garment look elevated and chic. So now every season I study how to style a sweatshirt with the latest trends. And because I don’t believe in gatekeeping, I’m here to share my wealth of sartorial knowledge with you.
I’ll start with my favorite outfit idea for spring: a blazer-and-hoodie combo. This versatile pairing works just as well with your work trousers as it does with athleisure leggings. But if you don’t want your sweatshirt hiding underneath layers of clothing, go ahead and make it the star of the show. Those in the know have made a convincing argument for elevating the loungewear with miniskirts and kitten heels.
Of course, you don’t need to abandon that tried-and-true hoodie you’ve owned for, well, longer than you’d like to admit. A hoodie emblazoned with your high school sports team gives off a cool vintage vibe, especially if you pair it with some old-school Levi’s jeans. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t also shout out the newest sweatshirts on the market. I’m personally fond of all the soft cashmere styles—Tibi is a purveyor of the look—out there right now as well as midriff-baring cropped hoodies.
Still eager for more hoodie styling tips? Keep scrolling for eight outfit formulas worth test-driving this season. Here's how to style a hoodie like the fashion pros this spring.
1.Wear a graphic hoodie with heels.
If you haven’t quite figured out how to style that graphic hoodie stuffed in the back of your closet, here’s an outfit idea: Wear it with culottes, Bermuda shorts, or cropped jeans. Why? So you can show off a pair of statement heels. Because it reads fairly chill otherwise, you’ll instantly elevate this casual look with a pair of leopard-print pumps or leather knee-high boots. A polished handbag adds a sophisticated touch as well.
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2. Layer a hoodie and sweatpants with a coat.
Gone are the days when your hoodie and sweatpants were relegated to the house. Sure, it may be daunting to wear your trusty loungewear out in public, but there’s nothing a chic coat can’t elevate. I’d recommend adding texture to the matching set by layering it with a wool or fuzzy topper, but a trendy trench coat in a relaxed fit works well too.
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3. Balance an oversized hoodie with an itty-bitty miniskirt.
See? Fashion folks love a hoodie-and-miniskirt duo. To make a sporty pullover the pièce de résistance of your look, follow this person’s lead and stick to the same color family elsewhere in your outfit—perhaps one or two shades darker than the hoodie. Lastly, punctuate the getup with a bright clutch or tote. Dark tights and kitten heels also add a fancy flair to this hoodie outfit.
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4. Go for the full monochromatic look.
You can never go wrong with a neutral monochromatic look, whether you’re running errands or going to dinner with friends. And though a black hoodie and matching trousers probably don’t sound groundbreaking, it’s all about how you style the pieces. Here, a leather bomber jacket provided a dose of streetwear edge to the look. You can ditch it when the weather gets warmer and still kick things up a notch with coordinating frames and sneakers. Add a black baseball cap if you want to go full incognito.
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5. Style a gray hoodie with your most colorful pieces.
Allow this street style star to persuade you to style a gray hoodie with your most playful maximalist looks. As it turns out, a hooded sweatshirt in a neutral shade perfectly grounds a bright jacket and trousers ensemble. And why not throw on a coordinating sequined skirt or festive belt while you’re at it? This formula might not be for the faint of heart, but it’s well worth the risk.
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6. Play with volume with a fitted hoodie and baggy jeans.
For a comfy and casual outfit that doesn’t skimp on style, wear a cropped or fitted hoodie with voluminous pants. I wouldn’t blame you if you preferred sweats on the bottom, but a pair of baggy jeans or cargo pants feel a little more dressy without being constricting. Statement booties or heels and a rosy lip will give the look even more intrigue.
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7. Pair a neutral hoodie with a statement blazer.
Call up your grandma and see if she held on to her shoulder-padded blazers from the ’80s. If yes, nab the outerwear while the look is hot. Styling-wise, tone down the attention-grabbing jacket with the help of a pared-back hoodie and tailored trousers. It’s also not a bad idea to work a statement accent, such as an animal-print pump, into this smart-casual outfit.
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8. Break up a denim jacket and jeans with a zip-up hoodie.
There are only so many ways you can rock a denim-on-denim look, right? Wrong. I’d argue that the possibilities are infinite. In fact, I bet you haven’t considered wearing your true blues with a basic hoodie—athleisure is perfect for breaking up your denim jacket and jeans. I’m quite fond of the colorful bag and leather boot add-ons above, but I’ll leave the rest of the outfit up to you.
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9. Balance a dressy skirt with a casual hoodie.
Wearing a hoodie can be as uncomplicated as treating it like any other wardrobe staple in your closet. If a T-shirt and satin skirt are a favorite summer outfit, for example, simply swap in a hoodie for a slightly warmer option. It still has the same effect of transforming a formal skirt into the perfect casual weekend look. And boom: That’s how to style a sweatshirt like the fashion pros.
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10. Style hoodies with white jeans for a warm-weather refresh.
With hoodie outfit ideas, leaning into whatever season you’re in is a fail-safe approach. Layer one with a flannel in the fall, for example, for a grunge vibe that goes well with the falling leaves. And in the spring, you can break out your favorite white jeans or khaki pants to mimic the clean slate the season brings. When the weather is still chilly in March and early April, I’d add a varsity jacket on top for a cool touch that doesn’t feel heavy.
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