Top trend: the textured sweatshirt

It seems far-fetched that no so long ago (and say that I’m not the only one in this) I wouldn’t have dared to get dressed in track pants and sweatshirts outside the gym club. However, at the moment, they are at the top of my shopping list; I just have to have them (or make them if I can remember how to sew). Due to those visionary high-end designers the sportswear staples have been revived to glam chic level: last year the baseball jackets and fancy drawstring pants were all over fashion magazines, this spring season the It-status belongs to sweatshirts and sneaker shoes.

Speaking of sweatshirts, a designer name on the stitched label won’t suffice; hence, the Creatives have come up with subtle ways of modifying the classic pattern or they revamped it with modern fabrics; and, finally, biggest news this spring is the sweatshirt with eye-catching texture, be it unique prints, embroidery or sparkling appliqué.

You could reasonably ask what’s with all the fuss about just a plain cotton blouse that is quite unflattering. Well the secret lays in the embellishment of the said basic garment, more so, the modernized patterns with a fitted silhouette or, on the contrary, a loose shape, with a wider scoop neck and shorter sleeves, guarantee a stylish “street-cred” look.

Depending on fabric and cut, a sweatshirt can be worn as an elegant blouse or as outerwear. Avant-garde labels known for their ingenious prints including Mary Katrantzou, Erdem or Peter Pilotto brought in their spring 2014 collections fine sweat tops covered in striking imagery. These are no ordinary gray cotton sweatshirts so their paring bottoms should be in the same category of polished, functional chic: structured skirts, tailored trousers or shorts.

Other fashion houses, with a more androgynous, urban style such as Acne or Jonathan Simkhai, highlighted the sporty quality with details like leather monograms and geometric color-block print on neoprene or scuba jersey fabrics, reminiscent of university sweatshirts. These look great over a pair of skinny jeans or leather pants.(Although I would avoid sweatshirt+jeans combo, as it seems a bit too early 90's for me).

Bejeweled, embroidered and printed sweatshirts dress up simple outfits, for example a white shirt + cropped trousers, and are the ideal match for a structured/pleated skirt. Complete the look with high-heels or with the latest trends in chic flats (pointed-toe ballet shoes, slip-on sneakers or gladiator sandals) and you’re good to go (to that froufrou brunch of yours).

Artistically decorated sweatshirts (collage prints and sequins panels) were seen as early as last autumn, when stylists and trendsetters paraded at the spring 2014 fashion week shows. Some of the looks are a little over the top, but that is the charm of fashion week, and more importantly it is a comfortable trend, easy to translate in day-to-day outfits.

Embellished sweatshirts at the Spring 2014 fashion weeks, photo by Tommy Ton @ style.com

panels and prints on sweatshirts: fashion week streetstyle

If you’re a sewing savvy, thrilled at the thought of hunting for gorgeous materials, there are several patterns available online as well as tips and tutorials that can help you in making your own custom sweatshirt. You can choose from classic sweatshirt patterns at Old Patterns and Pattern Review to modern designs at Burda Style and Kwik Sew, and you can learn useful tips on how to create the finishing touches with hand embroidery and appliqué, via two inspiring craft blogs: A Beautiful Mess and Inspiration&Realisation.

A certain thing is that the textured sweatshirt is here to stay - at least for the next season too; pre-fall 2014 collections have shown various sweatshirts designs with leather appliqué, pop-art prints and fuzzy fabrics.

Textured sweatshirt trend, pre-fall 2014 collections