Crewneck Sweatshirt

Are Crewneck Sweatshirts in Style?

Yes, and the reason is the neckline rather than any passing trend. A round ribbed neck sits close to the collarbone, so it frames whatever goes with it: a shirt collar folded out over the rib, a chain on top, a high ponytail. The shape stays put while the detail changes, which is why a crewneck from a few years ago still looks current with this year's jeans. What dates is the decoration, so pick a detail you will still enjoy next fall.

Where the Detail Sits

• On the sleeve. Varsity bands circle the arm, so the body stays one solid block of color and the stripes show every time you reach for something. A floral sleeve does the same with print and leaves a white front that works like a blank tee.
• On the chest. A raised terry bow or scattered sequin bows sit where the eye goes first, and texture catches light in a way flat print cannot.
• Across the front. Holiday letters on a cable textured knit read festive at the party and still look dressed on the drive there.
• On the diagonal. A single rainbow band crossing a cream body pulls the eye sideways and makes the plainest jeans look chosen.

A Collar Under, a Necklace Over

Nothing at a crew neck competes with what you layer, which makes it the easiest sweatshirt to dress up a notch. A collared shirt underneath lets the points sit on the rib and a cuff peek out at the wrist, and suddenly a weekend piece works for a casual office. The roomier varsity cuts have space for that shirt; a closer cut is happier over a tee.

On top, keep jewelry short on a crewneck, a single chain or a small pendant resting right on the ribbing. A long necklace drops onto knit and gets lost.

Washing the Raised Details

Bows, sequins and stitched letters stand proud of the knit, so they meet everything else in the drum first. Turn the sweatshirt inside out every time and wash it cold. The sequin styles go in a mesh laundry bag and dry flat, since dryer heat can warp or dull the sequins. New reds and deep blues may release a little dye at first, so give them their first washes with similar colors and the white stripes stay white.

Pick One for the Day You Have in Mind

For game day, a varsity stripe in your team color says it from the stands with no logo to go out of date. For December, the holiday letters. For an ordinary weekday, the floral sleeve or a striped crew, and for a dinner that wants a little shine, the sequin bows. If you like the shape but want more room through the body, the oversized sweatshirt page gathers the roomier cuts, and the striped sweatshirt page collects the ones built around a stripe.