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           ![The Icon: Grey Sweatshirts](https://media.sheerluxe.com/7fgpklNT7Yt38SsyQASrPXgVxZY=/500x221/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F01%2Fsl-site-assets-220125-hero-the-icon-grey-sweatshirt-3.png?itok=pUpKWD1d) 

  

 

 



 

 [Fashion](/fashion)

 /  22 January 2025  

#  The Icon: Grey Sweatshirts  


The grey sweatshirt has come a long way from sportswear essential to high-fashion icon. Once a post-workout comfort, it’s become a cool, versatile wardrobe staple that’s championed by designers like Victoria Beckham. Below, we’re taking a look at its evolution in full…  


ByElaine Loyd Jones

 

[ Save To My Favourites ](/user/0/favourites)

 

 

 

 

  Images: Miu Miu; Victoria Beckham; Shutterstock 

 

 

 

All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however we may make commission on some products.

 

 

 

 ![](https://media.sheerluxe.com/rcww7o3m_CIx8qM9AxwQTA-4f-o=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F01%2Fshutterstock.jpg?itok=xe6-QmZy)

 

 

 Shutterstock 

 



 

 

 

 

 

## The Origins 



  

The grey sweatshirt was first introduced as part of sportswear in the 1920s, when brands like [Champion](https://www.championstore.com/en_gb/) created simple, practical designs to accommodate the growing demand for comfortable, functional sportswear. The grey tone, soft cotton fabric and minimalist aesthetic became the hallmarks of the style.

 

## The Evolution 



  

By the 1950s, the grey sweatshirt was gaining cultural significance thanks to Hollywood icons like Marlon Brando and James Dean, who wore them in films like *On the Waterfront* and *Rebel Without a Cause*. By the 1980s, hip-hop culture had taken on the look, with graphic prints and logos turning sweatshirts into cult items. Norma Kamali's 1981 collection – and in particular, the grey sweatshirt jumpsuit – was a turning point, blurring the lines between sportswear and high fashion. Jennifer Beals’ slashed-neck sweatshirt in *Flashdance* in 1983 further cemented the sweatshirt's pop culture status. By the mid-80s, designers like [Jean-Paul Gaultier](https://www.jeanpaulgaultier.com/uk/en/?srsltid=AfmBOorTJBZEBI0hTtpDyRA2LZLxnPZ_8CCe5HIPePxn14HYJW68-JkI) and [Vivienne Westwood](https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=etT1jgERWYw&mid=40012&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.viviennewestwood.com%2Fen-gb%2Fhome%2F) had incorporated athletic influences into their collections. The 1990s saw the grey sweatshirt firmly established in high fashion, with oversized, minimalist styles popularised by designers like [Calvin Klein](https://www.calvinklein.co.uk/), Kate Moss and the grunge movement. Today, it's an effortless wardrobe staple — still sporty but with a chic, timeless appeal that transcends seasons and demographics.

 

 ![](https://media.sheerluxe.com/GVsM49O4IgIjiEMFg1F-eIkEr5g=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F01%2Fsl-220125-the-icon-grey-sweatshirt-2.jpg?itok=lDoY3yvv)

 

 

 Norma Kamali; Flash Dance 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

## The Look Today 



  

Opt for vintage-inspired fits in classic cotton with high-waisted denim or oversized styles with louche tailoring. Layer it under a tailored blazer for a smart-casual look, or pair it with wide-leg trousers or leather for an easy yet chic vibe. Tuck it into high-waisted, flared jeans for a contemporary take on the 1970s. Prefer a 90s look? Team it with leggings, a leather jacket and cool trainers.

 

## The Brands To Shop 



  

If you’re looking to invest in a grey sweatshirt that combines style and quality, there are a few brands leading the charge. British label [Navygrey](https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=etT1jgERWYw&mid=52755&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fnavygrey.co%2F) offers timeless, minimalist designs that blend seamlessly with a modern wardrobe. Luxury designer [Victoria Beckham](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=28661&awinaffid=69421&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.victoriabeckham.com%2F) continues to elevate the look, often pairing it with tailored separates or her signature denim. Meanwhile, brands like [Colorful Standard](https://colorfulstandard.com/en-gb) deliver simple, casual staples including a sweatshirt in the perfect shade of grey. Whether you're after high-end or independent labels, here are some of the best to shop now...

 

 

 

 ![](https://media.sheerluxe.com/ENDMsNYwPcQKSY1bPKiknvb7GRw=/1920x0/smart/filters:no_upscale()/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F01%2Fsl-220125-the-icon-grey-sweatshirt-3.jpg?itok=lASAIwHe)

 

 

 Gucci SS2024, Miu Miu 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

## SHOP THE EDIT 



 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 ![Oversized Sweatshirt from H&M](https://media.sheerluxe.com/FnQxMPDNGTrPegpmWPwUOqPU7rQ=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F01%2Fbally-suede-blazer_0.jpg?itok=eJ1kjrIB)

 

 

 

[#### Oversized Sweatshirt](https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=etT1jgERWYw&mid=43250&murl=https%3A//www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1243667009.html)

##### H&amp;M, 



£14.99

 

[ Flag this item ](/user/0/favourites "Add product to my favourites")

 

 

 ![Micaela Boxy Sweatshirt from Hush](https://media.sheerluxe.com/ePmVC0w-1lLNUprfQPeOj4C2MU0=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F01%2Fhush-micaela.jpg?itok=UMpdYuq6)

 

 

 

[#### Micaela Boxy Sweatshirt](https://hush.prf.hn/click/camref:1100lAXgo/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hush-uk.com%2Fmicaela-boxy-sweatshirt-grey-marl%2F012311-2923.html)

##### Hush, 



£50 *(was £60)*

 

[ Flag this item ](/user/0/favourites "Add product to my favourites")

 

 

 ![Classic Crew-Neck Sweatshirt from COS](https://media.sheerluxe.com/FyI_smWtFWlOVH19qVPtKapGsV4=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F01%2Fclassic-crew-neck-sweatshirt.jpg?itok=27B0CJr-)

 

 

 

[#### Classic Crew-Neck Sweatshirt](https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=etT1jgERWYw&mid=42840&murl=https%3A//www.cos.com/en_gbp/women/womenswear/tops/product.classic-crew-neck-sweatshirt-grey.1243617001.html)

##### COS, 



£55

 

[ Flag this item ](/user/0/favourites "Add product to my favourites")

 

 

 ![Heavyweight Soft Touch Crew Neck Sweatshirt from Next](https://media.sheerluxe.com/XHIRy-Zg1Gbpa2ieDutvUFarXdE=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F01%2Fgrey-marl-heavyweight-soft-touch-crew-neck-sweatshirt.jpg?itok=Snuyteop)

 

 

 

[#### Heavyweight Soft Touch Crew Neck Sweatshirt](https://www.next.co.uk/style/st801916/b83481#b83481)

##### Next, 



£23

 

[ Flag this item ](/user/0/favourites "Add product to my favourites")

 

 

 



 

 

 

 ![The Relaxed-Fit Sweatshirt from NavyGrey](https://media.sheerluxe.com/HgpIwsdDesVrI4uZlLfr_vU8DSM=/1920x0/smart/filters:no_upscale()/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F01%2Fthe-relaxed-fit-sweatshirt.jpg?itok=4gPplJFc)

 

 

 

[#### The Relaxed-Fit Sweatshirt](https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=etT1jgERWYw&mid=52755&murl=https%3A//navygrey.co/products/the-relaxed-fit-sweatshirt-slate-grey)

##### NavyGrey, 



£140

 

[ Flag this item ](/user/0/favourites "Add product to my favourites")

 

 

 



 

 

 

 ![Drew Vintage Oversized Crewneck Sweatshirt from Reformation](https://media.sheerluxe.com/mIVDPf_5hRlueitjbLECK4giXyw=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F01%2Fdrew-vintage-oversized-crewneck-sweatshirt.jpg?itok=pWQ8TE-A)

 

 

 

[#### Drew Vintage Oversized Crewneck Sweatshirt](https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=etT1jgERWYw&mid=40090&murl=https%3A//www.thereformation.com/products/drew-vintage-oversized-crewneck-sweatshirt/1316414HTR.html)

##### Reformation, 



£108

 

[ Flag this item ](/user/0/favourites "Add product to my favourites")

 

 

 ![Cosy Crew Sweater from The Store](https://media.sheerluxe.com/qga_lXpCdJDt4jbi8PoXJzqnoZM=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F01%2Fcosy-crew-sweater-in-grey.jpg?itok=lt7hTShJ)

 

 

 

[#### Cosy Crew Sweater](https://www.thetstore.com/products/oversized-crew-sweater-in-grey)

##### The Store, 



£41.30 *(was £59)*

 

[ Flag this item ](/user/0/favourites "Add product to my favourites")

 

 

 ![Classic Crewneck from Skims](https://media.sheerluxe.com/Wk-noFlSlpjMA_uogx7usfF5e-Y=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F01%2Fskims-classic-crewneck.jpg?itok=TL7bQMqA)

 

 

 

[#### Classic Crewneck](https://skims.com/en-gb/products/cotton-fleece-classic-crewneck-light-heather-grey)

##### Skims, 



£74

 

[ Flag this item ](/user/0/favourites "Add product to my favourites")

 

 

 ![Essence Standard Sweatshirt from Weekday](https://media.sheerluxe.com/AACChTAWmC5B_cx69kpLrLt-0nk=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F01%2Fessence-standard-sweatshirt.jpg?itok=lUjrmZCW)

 

 

 

[#### Essence Standard Sweatshirt](https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=etT1jgERWYw&mid=42326&murl=https%3A//www.weekday.com/en-gb/p/women/basics/sweatshirts/essence-standard-sweatshirt-light-grey-melange-015/)

##### Weekday, 



£27

 

[ Flag this item ](/user/0/favourites "Add product to my favourites")

 

 

 



 

 

 

 ![Sports Sweatshirt In DryMove™ from H&M](https://media.sheerluxe.com/ibvDo7WhAzvt7i1y47sQpb4iuA8=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F01%2Fsports-sweatshirt-in-drymovetm.jpg?itok=mcWVM_nG)

 

 

 

[#### Sports Sweatshirt In DryMove™](https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=etT1jgERWYw&mid=43250&murl=https%3A//www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1248957001.html)

##### H&amp;M, 



£27.99

 

[ Flag this item ](/user/0/favourites "Add product to my favourites")

 

 

 

 ![Organic Oversized Crew from Colorful Standard](https://media.sheerluxe.com/0T4g91XcbAw0FlmlMoACrHjeE2c=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F01%2Fcolourful-standard-organic-oversized-crew-heather-grey.jpg?itok=WlhdYu__)

 

 

 

[#### Organic Oversized Crew](https://colorfulstandard.com/en-gb/products/organic-oversized-crew-heather-grey-female)

##### Colorful Standard, 



£60

 

[ Flag this item ](/user/0/favourites "Add product to my favourites")

 

 

 ![Cocoon Cotton Sweatshirt from ARKET](https://media.sheerluxe.com/w4yUZrioUzzFSiChIldIrUrtNo0=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F01%2Farket-cocoon-sweatshir.jpg?itok=JXWDMx_S)

 

 

 

[#### Cocoon Cotton Sweatshirt](https://arket.prf.hn/click/camref:1101l4675m/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arket.com%2Fen_gbp%2Fwomen%2Ftops%2Fproduct.cocoon-cotton-sweatshirt-grey.1276422001.html)

##### ARKET, 



£67

 

[ Flag this item ](/user/0/favourites "Add product to my favourites")

 

 

 ![Premium Seam Detail Sweat from Topshop](https://media.sheerluxe.com/6AzESJm6uMhXXHzLEXqD40VMu04=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F01%2Ftopshop-at-asos.jpg?itok=_6qF7qlX)

 

 

 

[#### Premium Seam Detail Sweat](https://asos.bbgqo9.net/raG065)

##### Topshop, 



£34

 

[ Flag this item ](/user/0/favourites "Add product to my favourites")

 

 

 ![Cotton Rich Sweatshirt from M&S](https://media.sheerluxe.com/vmRZj-Y8tbKM007ADaciEo-VsQw=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F01%2Fms-collection-cotton-rich-sweatshirt.jpg?itok=EnRlsTm7)

 

 

 

[#### Cotton Rich Sweatshirt](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=1402&awinaffid=69421&ued=https%3A//www.marksandspencer.com/cotton-rich-sweatshirt/p/clp60732560)

##### M&amp;S, 



£19.50

 

[ Flag this item ](/user/0/favourites "Add product to my favourites")

 

 

 ![Crew Neck Sweatshirt from Nobody's Child](https://media.sheerluxe.com/fs4cZp0bH6tpKA7FCRaeGtrLQY0=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F01%2Fnobodys-child-grey-crew-neck-sweatshirt.jpg?itok=oDQjNeC0)

 

 

 

[#### Crew Neck Sweatshirt](https://www.tkqlhce.com/click-2310238-15862524?url=https%3A//www.nobodyschild.com/products/grey-oversized-crew-neck-sweatshirt-t242641gry)

##### Nobody's Child, 



£65

 

[ Flag this item ](/user/0/favourites "Add product to my favourites")

 

 

 ![Basic Plush Sweatshirt from Zara](https://media.sheerluxe.com/84V4z3EjQgGE-7RvbPd13PGtR04=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F01%2Fzara-basic-plush-sweatshirt.jpg?itok=OGYA1ryz)

 

 

 

[#### Basic Plush Sweatshirt](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=32887&awinaffid=69421&ued=https%3A//www.zara.com/uk/en/basic-plush-sweatshirt-p08417800.html%3Fv1%3D423158628%26origin%3Dshopcart)

##### Zara, 



£17.99

 

[ Flag this item ](/user/0/favourites "Add product to my favourites")

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

  

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