Long live the OG performance kit
There’s something really unique about the humble crewneck sweatshirt. It’s an unflappable icon that can be at once utterly classic and yet thoroughly modern. All American, ruggedly masculine, and extremely comfortable - it’s one of those rare items that will eternally be in style. But a sweatshirt or pair of sweatpants can also change in ever so subtle ways which end up making these timeless staples look altogether new and fresh.
The original crewneck sweatshirt was actually invented by a football player in 1926. Benjamin Russell Jr., was looking for an alternative to the itchy wool practice jerseys of the time. He wanted something softer, lighter and more comfortable. He and his father came up with an all-cotton prototype and a few years later, Russell Athletic mills was churning out the first crewneck sweatshirts for sale.
That’s where the name comes from - these were the performance garments of those days. According to Christophe Loiron, the owner of famed vintage emporium Mister Freedom, they were designed specifically to collect sweat. That little “V” stitched into the collars of old sweatshirts? “The purpose was to act like a sponge—not very glamorous, but just look at sweat patterns on shirts after physical efforts,” he says. “The reinforcement also controlled the stretch of the neck when the garment was pulled over the head.”
This was the heritage Olivers wanted to honor when putting together the Classic Series: Early American football, Rocky ascending the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and your own first pair of sweats. It’s a celebration of the wash-wear-repeat reliability that can take you from an early morning workout to lounging around the house while working from home. They’re built for both running weekend errands and a relaxing night in at home.
They’re built for both running weekend errands and a relaxing night in at home.
Upgrading the standard sweatshirt jersey, the Classics Series is knit from some of the finest cotton in the world. Hailing from Japan, this 100% Supima cotton uses extra-long staple fibers and ring spun threads for a fabric that’s soft yet strong. When it comes to construction, vintage details make for a more modern silhouette.
It’s a balance that separates good sweats from great ones. These are cozy and cushy, with a slightly relaxed fit. And details like a raglan seam along the back of the sleeves let the fabric flow straight from your arm into the collar. It's an old school technique that makes for easier movements and it's been reimagined in the perfect proportions for today's taste.
*Maintenance Intel: Retain the color, softness and smoothness of your sweatshirts by turning them inside-out when washing.
