Hoodie - why is it so hard? - YouLookFab Forum

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Hoodie - why is it so hard?

Sal

Veteran

My most worn item of clothing would have to be my Underarmour Hoodie which I think dates from about 2012 or 2013..... It is so well worn and still in great condition. Here is a very early WIW featuring the hoodie (I still have the leggings too)

https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....-and-4-nov

While I won't be getting rid of this - after five years of intensive wear I am rather tired of it (as is Jon) and would like to add another one to my gear capsule. I wear this type of top to and from the gym, around the house, walking with friends, sometimes on a bike ride, and occasionally to sports eg watching my son's tennis in the evenings.

This one has some shape to it, to my eye it is more flattering than most. It is not too warm so I can wear it biking, but it is warm enough. I can layer a puffer over the top and not feel too bulky.

I would like something similar but not the same - so not fuschia pink. Also not black, charcoal grey or white - and not polar fleece. Aside from that I am open. I don't mind a hoodie, or a jacket that zips - I do want some shape to the top. I will wear it with leggings, jogger type pants, bike pants, capri style harem pants, occasionally running shorts and occasionally jeans.

Last winter on our South Island adventure I also lost a grey lambswool hoodie that I loved and was very sad to lose.

I am open to online shopping for this as I think I can predict my size pretty well with this type of item.

Anyone got or seen something similar?

Thanks in advance.

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Shopping

20 replies

Latest reply was from Style Fan

Anonymous

It is the desire for "shape" that makes it so hard. Right now, all I see on the US market are square, shapeless items. Wanting something that has some shaping is like wanting a unicorn. Best of luck to you. I'll swing by to see if others have suggestions.

Vildy

Veteran

Sometimes, Gildan products are shaped differently than others. I like their "heavy blend" sweatpants and they're not all that heavy but not flimsy, so they don't sag and bag and keep their shape. Can't tell how thin your favorite hoodie is.
https://www.amazon.com/Gildan-.....B007YJ4MBI

Anonymous

Can you order Lululemon to NZ? Their hoodies are great - fitted to a certain degree, beautifully made, although most have a zip-front if you don't mind that.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I agree with Lisa that Lululemon does good fitted jacket shapes (although a little long for the short-torsoed among us). I have an ancient fleece one by The North Face too. Not sure if Patagonia or Columbia are available there, but sometimes they are good for these things too. Athleta? Do they ship to you?

I have an insane number of hoodies, but I wear them around the house a lot with lounge pants rather than a bathrobe. Most of them are sweatshirt style and shapeless. The ones I wear for workouts are more likely to be fitted, but I also tend to prefer workout jackets without hoods (no flapping on my back while I run).

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

My favorite is an older Eddie Bauer in navy that is not fleece but heavy enough thick cotton to be warm for 50 F or so (for me at least). I would also suggest Athleta maybe for a more fitted option. Don't have experience with Lululemon.

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Sterling, I agree. There are also boxy shorter ones but that is not so great on me.

Vildy I have not heard of that brand so will look it up. Mine is a mid weight slightly shiny fabric which is why it has worn so brilliantly.

Yes Lisa we have Lululemon here (both a few branches and available online). I do like their gear but last time I looked it was all black and charcoal for shaped jackets. I have a black gear bomber, and charcoal fitted jacket already, and a black and white lightweight windbreaker so I want a different colour ideally.... They tend to have nicely shaped tops don't they.

Janet - Columbia is available here, not sure about Patagonia. We have a few local brands too - Kathmandu, MacPac, Icebreaker - I should check them out as I have mostly been looking at Nike, Adidas, New Balance.... I have been casually looking for a while but not on a concerted hunt. Last year I did a Gap/Athleta order which worked fine (I got it shipped to a US Based NZ collection point who ship it on here).

TexStyle - thanks for that. It is getting that magic weight that is warm enough but not too hot. I do love my UnderArmour one but I have worn it so much. A friend of mine who I mostly see walking once said that "I wore a lot of pink" (in a complementary way). I thought about it and came to the conclusion that it was just this one top she sees over and over again....

I will check out those sources tonight!

Anonymous

I just took a quick look at the lulu site, and there are at least 3 hoodies in colours other than black and grey.......

Sal

Veteran

This one is nice...

https://www.lululemon.co.nz/p/.....un&cn

I suspect we have a smaller range available here though sadly than in Canada.

Thanks Lisa.

LaPed

Veteran

My first thought was Icebreaker, if you're in the mood to splurge on merino. Icebreaker tends to be fairly fitted. Patagonia and North Face always have lots of nice hoodies that fall in between technical and casual -- ie technical fabrics, casual stylings. Agree that Athleta and Lulu would be worth a look too. Without knowing the weight and warmth of your UA, it's hard to recommend a specific model. So it's lighter weight than a fleece, more like a polyester jersey? Or is it woven, like a softshell material?

I have noticed a lot of jackets and hoodies running both long and loose -- it must be because everyone's wearing leggings and wants CYA-style tops...

JAileen

Veteran

I have one of these Tek Gear hoodies. It was very inexpensive at Kohl’s. I don’t know if it’s their brand or not. Mine is grey, but they come in a lot of colors.

http://mobile.kohls.com/produc.....hoodie.jsp

It’s funny, I’ve been looking for a new hoodie, too, for our Barrow, AK trip. I want cotton-free, light weight, close fitting hood with zipper that comes up just above my chin, as a layer under insulation and waterproof shell. I found a nearly perfect one from Arcteryx, except for two things : the creepy looking embroidered logo and the cost ($180). I’m not against spending money per se, but in my mind this is a technical sweatshirt, but in their mind it’s a jacket.

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

I thought of Icebreaker too. Not sure if all these styles would be available in NZ but if you need assistance, happy to oblige.

https://ca.icebreaker.com/en/sweaters

Also, Lole, but it doesn't look as if they have what you are looking for right now. https://ca-en.lolewomen.com/co.....ers-hoodie They are between seasons, I suspect. '

This one from NF is kind of interesting, too. https://www.thenorthface.com/s.....ip-sweater

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Probably expensive to get to NZ. It's a Seattle based company.

https://www.prairieunderground.....outerwear/

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Is that your son? Isn't it strange how babies turn so big suddenly?

Anonymous

I have this Columbia one, which is a half zip, no hood. I love it and wear it about as often as you describe wearing your pink one.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/prod.....#038;psc=1

Though I must say the lululemon one you linked to is awfully good-looking!

Sal

Veteran

Comment of the day Shevia - that's my husband!! Haha:)

Beck

I just bought a Macpac merino hoody that is a very tailored fit with a lovely drape and great pockets. There's navy and red in their clearance styles.

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Beck - I had a quick look at Macpac and Kathmandu last night and saw a couple of Macpac's that might work. Will check their clearance!!

Thanks Ryce - these tops are soo useful aren't they - not exactly "fashion" but practical, hard wearing and in my case really visible as I often meet friends for walks or on the sideline.

Anna- I had a really quick look at the website but my internet was super slow yesterday and I will look back. I am open to buying from the US in this instance for the right piece - I do have a US postal address which I can use. But there are NZ companies that make good gear especially merino.

Shevia - I so wish I could like your post. Jon turned 50 last year but he is pretty young looking. The first photo of us as a couple was in this pose and we were recreating it for a laugh later one night. I will add the original pic from my phone later.

Suz - Icebreaker is actually a NZ company - although I think manufacturing is off site. They use South Island merino though. It is good quality but oh so expensive!! I will check out the other ones too - we don't get Lole here (but we do get Lululemon).

JAileen - I find the mid weight tops really useful but I don't like too much bulk as I like to layer over them on really cold days with a puffer and scarf, and on windy or wet days with my rain jacket. I am okay about a bit more cost as I know if I like it it will get really good use.

La Pedestrienne - yes mine is a technical mid weight fabric - not quite soft shell, it is actually an unusual fabric as it is shiny (the label has worn off). I am thinking merino would be a good choice here for mid weight - as I mentioned earlier Icebreaker is a NZ company although here the tops I liked are $299 which is expensive - Lululemon ones are about $150. There are often sales around though:)

I am going to do a bit of online browsing this week as I am keen to get something before the Easter long weekend if possible.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Do you have an Icebreaker outlet in Hamilton? There is one here on the North Shore, it helps a little bit...

Beck

Sal, the one I bought was the Coleridge in black (also comes in green), but I was thinking of this lighter one in red for you when I posted yesterday. My only criticism is that the hood is rather small, but I think it's designed to be fitted -- I have a giant head and I like hoods large enough to lurk in.

Style Fan

Veteran

Sal, I have a few of the Define jackets from Lululemon that you linked to. I love them and wear them to Yoga. They are fitted and lightweight.