Note: this item was provided for review.
Many years ago, I decided to spend real money on a sweatshirt — I never saw the point in spending that much on one before then. They are all the same, right? Simply “sweatshirt material” after all. But once I got my hands on that premium sweatshirt, I realized the multitudes of nuances — a nice sweatshirt simply feels premium and undeniably nice.
While I don’t generally wear sweatshirts day to day, I have been wearing them more than ever with my move to a colder climate, so I was pumped when Gustin offered to send over their Vintage Heavyweight Sweatshirt in Navy. Especially since I have only two nice sweatshirts on hand.
I’ve been wearing this and living in it for a good while now, and it’s fantastic.
Materials & Fit
This is a 100% cotton coming in at a 14oz weight, and which is Made in Canada. This is heavy without being too heavy to wear.
The standout on this really is the feel of it, which is exceptionally hard to capture in words, but Gustin does well explaining it:
Heavy cotton fleece is the answer. Extra burly and dense with a hand that stands out. It starts off with a touch of coarseness. You have to earn your comfort like raw denim, but over time it develops into the perfect mix of weight and suppleness. The finish is a luxuriously brushed backside for comfort. The instant you touch this sweatshirt you’ll get it.
I agree, it felt a little coarse on the face and very soft on the inside the first few wears and washes. The material has a bit of rigidness to it which is only now starting to break in. It’s not stiff, but it’s not floppy either.
The seams are all flat locked, and there are ribbed side panels in addition to the cuffs and collars. Gustin wanted to capture a vintage feel with this all around, and they did just that.
Of the premium sweatshirts I own, and have owned, this certainly feels the most premium.
Wear
I mentioned this above, but the weight on this is interesting. Given the naming I expected this to be very thick and heavy to wear. Perhaps something which is almost too warm to wear indoors. In reality this doesn’t feel any thicker than any other sweatshirt I own, while at the same time it feels so much more dense and substantial in the fabric that it does wear warmer.
Thankfully, this is not too warm to wear indoors. I’ve worn this over a t-shirt, and over some oxfords — it works well for both and is a nice looking sweatshirt.
The navy dying on this sweatshirt has enough depth (this is really an in person thing, but it doesn’t look overly monotonous) that it doesn’t look like a mass-manufactured item which you can go grab from anywhere. There’s character to this entire sweatshirt in very subtle ways. The ribbed sides hint at it being a little special. The cuffs and hem aren’t saggy and loose — they hug you without squeezing you. The collar and neckline is perfect: slim enough for wearing a t-shirt under, and wide enough to let your OCBD collar pop out.
In hand, it feels like something that is going to be more comfortable with each wear. While at the same time, something that is going to be around for an exceptionally long time. It isn’t too bulky to fold, but it’s warm to wear.
I’ve found this to be my go to when I am not sure what to wear, but I am cold. I’ve tossed it on over button downs to head to the store. And over my t-shirt with some joggers to lounge about the house in the evenings. It’s been great for each, and offers a near ideal weight for the cool evenings and days we have here.
Overall
This is easily my favorite sweatshirt, and I might buy another to have on hand. The kicker is, the price is $100 which is an excellent value proposition for what you get. I’m a huge fan of this.