Ask ten people in the UK what a sweatshirt is and you will get a few different answers. Some will picture a grey crew neck, some will say it is just another word for a jumper, and some will include hoodies. When you are ordering branded clothing for a team, school or business, the difference matters: it changes how the garment looks, how warm it is, what it costs and whether your logo should be printed or embroidered. Here is a plain-English guide.
Quick answer
A sweatshirt is a long-sleeved pullover made from sweatshirt fabric: a soft knitted cotton or polycotton jersey with a looped or brushed fleece back on the inside. It usually has a crew neck and ribbed cuffs and waistband. A jumper is knitted from yarn (wool, acrylic or cotton) in a visible knit pattern, and a hoodie is simply a sweatshirt with a hood, usually with a front pouch pocket.
What makes a sweatshirt a sweatshirt?
The fabric is what defines it. Sweatshirt fabric (often called sweat fleece or loopback) is knitted on large circular machines into a smooth face and a textured back. On loopback fabric the inside is a mass of small loops; on brushed fleece those loops are brushed until they turn soft and fluffy, which traps more warmth.
Typical features of a sweatshirt:
- Crew neck (sometimes a quarter-zip or V-notch)
- Ribbed cuffs and hem that hold their shape
- Cotton, polycotton (often around 80% cotton / 20% polyester) or recycled blends
- A fabric weight usually between about 240 and 350gsm
The garment dates back to the 1920s, when American sportswear makers began producing cotton pullovers as a more comfortable alternative to itchy wool training jerseys. The name came from what people did in them: sweat.
Sweatshirt vs jumper: the real difference
In everyday British English the two words overlap, which is where the confusion comes from. Technically they are different garments.
| Sweatshirt | Jumper | |
|---|---|---|
| How it is made | Cut and sewn from sweatshirt fabric | Knitted from yarn, often shaped on the machine |
| Feel | Smooth outside, soft fleece inside | Visible knit texture, inside and out |
| Typical fibres | Cotton, polycotton | Wool, acrylic, cotton, blends |
| Look | Casual, sporty | Smarter, more traditional |
| Care | Machine wash at 30–40°C | Often cooler washes; wool may need hand washing |
The easiest test: look closely at the outside. If you can see rows of knitted stitches, it is a jumper. If it is smooth like a T-shirt but thicker, it is a sweatshirt.
UK schools are a good example of both in use. Many primary schools specify a polycotton sweatshirt or cardigan, while secondary schools often specify a fine-knit acrylic or wool-blend V-neck jumper. Both are school uniform; they are simply different garments.
Sweatshirt vs hoodie
A hoodie is a sweatshirt with a hood. The body is normally made from exactly the same fabric. The differences are practical:
- Hood and pocket – most hoodies have a lined or single-layer hood with drawcords and a kangaroo pouch pocket.
- Zip options – hoodies come in pullover and full-zip versions; zip sweatshirts exist but are less common.
- Formality – a crew-neck sweatshirt reads smarter, sits better under a jacket and is easier to wear with a collared shirt underneath. A hoodie reads more casual and sporty.
- Branding space – a hoodie gives you extra positions, such as the side of the hood, and the pouch pocket interrupts the lower front.
Which should you choose for branded clothing?
For anyone ordering in bulk, here is how the three garments usually shake out:
- Office and customer-facing staff: crew-neck sweatshirts. Smart, warm and they layer over a shirt or polo.
- Trades, warehouse and outdoor staff: heavier sweatshirts or work hoodies, ideally in darker colours that hide marks.
- Sports clubs and societies: hoodies, which people wear socially as well as at training.
- Schools: sweatshirts or knitted jumpers for uniform; hoodies for PE, trips and leavers.
- Events and promotions: lighter polycotton sweatshirts or hoodies keep the unit cost down when the garment will be worn a handful of times.
If you are leaning towards hoodies, our custom hoodies page covers styles, decoration options and ordering. For crew necks, browse our sweatshirts range.
Printing and embroidery: what works on each
Sweatshirts and hoodies take both printing and embroidery well. Embroidery suits a left-chest logo or crest and lasts as long as the garment. Printing suits large designs, full-colour artwork and names across the back. The fleece-backed fabric gives embroidery a stable base, especially on heavier weights.
Knitted jumpers are a different story. Printing does not sit well on a knitted surface, so jumpers are almost always embroidered. Fine-gauge knits, like most school jumpers, embroider cleanly; chunky knits can swallow small lettering, so keep logos simple and a little larger.
For a full breakdown, see our garment-by-garment guide to embroidery or print.
What does gsm mean on a sweatshirt?
GSM stands for grams per square metre and measures the fabric weight. As a rough guide:
- Under 250gsm – lightweight. Fine for events and layering, but thinner and less durable.
- 250–300gsm – the sweet spot for most staff, school and club orders. Warm, holds its shape and takes embroidery well.
- Over 300gsm – heavyweight and premium. Excellent for outdoor work and fashion-led merchandise, but costs more and is bulkier.
Our guide to hoodie fabrics and GSM goes into cotton versus polycotton in more detail.
FAQ
Is a sweatshirt the same as a jumper?
Not strictly. A sweatshirt is cut and sewn from fleece-backed jersey fabric; a jumper is knitted from yarn. In casual British English people use the words interchangeably.
Is a hoodie a sweatshirt?
Yes. A hoodie is a sweatshirt with a hood, usually with a pouch pocket and drawcords.
Are sweatshirts warmer than jumpers?
It depends on weight and fibre. A heavy brushed-fleece sweatshirt is warmer than a fine acrylic jumper, but a thick wool jumper is warmer than a lightweight sweatshirt and handles damp better.
Can you embroider a logo on a jumper?
Yes. Fine-knit jumpers embroider well. Printing is not recommended on knitwear.
Should sweatshirts be washed inside out?
Yes, especially if they are printed. Wash inside out at 30°C and avoid high-heat tumble drying to keep prints and colours looking new.
