18 Aussie Brands Making Hoodies and Sweatshirts Your Partner Will Definitely Steal

Our obsession with athleisure is more obvious than ever in winter. But it’s no longer traditional sports brands that we turn to for our off-duty favourites. Filling the gap in your wardrobe between pyjamas and knitwear, hoodies and sweats are the unsung heroes of cold-weather dressing.

Materials matter. Whether it’s boiled merino wool, organic slub cotton or bamboo-blend fabrics, comfort is king. And what your sweatshirt says (or doesn’t say) speaks volumes about your personal style. These brands run the gamut, some leaning into minimalism with low-key branding, others making themselves heard with tongue-in-cheek slogans and recognisable motifs.

Boody

Boody’s collection of vegan silk pyjamas is already a Broadsheet favourite for slow days at home. So when the Sydney label recently launched its collection of bamboo-knit sweats, our interest was piqued. Designed to be worn oversized, these butter-soft double-knit styles come in classic black and an oyster hue that feels very aligned with Pantone’s colour of the year – mocha mousse. Choose the quarter-zip sweater or classic crew-neck, and add the matching trackpants or shorts to your rotation for ultimate comfort.

Karlaidlaw

Karlaidlaw has built a reputation on its experimental approach to streetwear, and the Charli xcx-approved label always has a clear point of view. Its velvety Spider trackpants have reached cult status on Melbourne’s north side – if you know, you know. The Circus hoodie is fast earning the same devotion: a cinched silhouette, shoulder pads and a hood slit to thread your hair through, for those who want to lean all the way into the brand’s left-of-centre edge.

Best

What’s in a name? For Dylan Best’s slogan-loving leisurewear label, a lot. Best, formerly known as Best Jumpers, took out the National Design Award in 2023 for its collection of Australiana sportswear. And the brand’s latest collection of crew-necks and hoodies doesn’t disappoint. Cut from Japanese vintage cotton terry, the made-in-Melbourne styles feature low-key logos, “Mate” branding and wombat motifs.

Paire

A Broadsheet favourite for silky intimates and timeless basics, Paire holds to the same standards on style, quality and materiality with its sweats. Pullover hoodies come in round-neck and quarter-zip cuts, while pants range from slimline to wide-leg. Alongside classic colours come tonal shades like oat, merlot and espresso for something that feels a little more seasonal.

Butter Goods

1990s skate culture runs through everything Butter Goods makes. The Perth label’s hoodies, crew-necks and zip-ups – alongside tees, jackets, pants and, of course, micro beanies – share a relaxed fit and an easy, unpretentious appeal. More often than not, pieces come stamped in nostalgic graphics and a colour palette that feels lived-in rather than looked-back-on.

Assembly Label

Assembly Label is a go-to for easy-wearing essentials. And the Aussie brand’s off-duty range is no exception. From clean-lined crew-necks to hooded knit sweaters, it caters to every corner of your cosy wardrobe.

Clothing the Gaps

Aboriginal-led label and social enterprise Clothing the Gaps made an immediate impact when it launched online in 2020. The B Corp-certified brand’s unisex hoodies, trackpants, tees and accessories are streetwear with purpose – graphics like “Not a date to celebrate” and “Always was” invite wearers to put their values on display, in an inclusive size range that runs from XS to 7XL.

Pinky & Kamal

Activewear that moves seamlessly from workout to wherever-next is Pinky & Kamal’s speciality, and the brand’s ever-growing range has got that wear-everywhere ease down to a fine art. The newest addition: two vintage-wash tracksuits in denim blue and earthy brown with a worn-in quality that makes them feel like old favourites from the first wear.

PE Nation

Sydney-based athleisure brand PE Nation offers a collection of logo-led sweats and hoodies. Staying true to the brand’s technical approach to performance wear, pieces are mostly crafted from organic cotton, with terry and brushed fleece finishes. Co-founder Claire Greaves recently returned to the label she helped create, turning up the volume on the bold colour-blocking and statement logos PE Nation was built on.

PAM

Launched in 2000 by Misha Hollenbach and Shauna Toohey – whose individual graffiti tags, “Perks" and "Mini”, give the brand its name – PAM has parlayed a shared background in fine art and graphic design into a globally recognised label. Slick apparel stamped with playful motifs is the PAM signature, and the loungewear is no exception. Unlike most labels, PAM rarely repeats the same style across colour options, making the range genuinely worth exploring in full.

Zulu & Zephyr

Resort label Zulu & Zephyr may be best known for chic swimwear and cover-ups, but its Sport line brings the same comfortable, considered style to cold-weather dressing. Classic sweatshirts come in cornflower blue, chocolate brown and a neutral tie-dye, while preppy collared styles work for days that call for something a little more put-together.

Camilla and Marc

Camilla and Marc’s range of loungewear is an investment in comfort that’s worth making. Subtle logo styles, oversized hoodies and fashion-forward pullovers fill the collection each season. This winter, we’re eyeing this funnel-neck style for comfies that feel stylish enough to step out in.

Active Truth

Real bodies and diverse representation are the foundations of Active Truth’s offering, with sizes spanning from 8 to 26, as well as a maternity collection. The brand’s range of cosy loungewear includes half-zip sweaters in sunny hues like teal and lilac.

Commonplace

Kiwi label Commonplace leans into a retro sportswear vibe with its collection of logo-adorned sweatshirts and trackpants. Phrases like “Do More” offer a positive state of mind for your daily dressing.

Aje Athletica

Creative collaborators Adrian Norris and Edwina Forest set out to occupy the space between fashion and function with Aje Athletica, and the label’s off-duty range delivers on that brief. Alongside activewear, the offering includes classic crew-necks and pullovers, with knit hoodies adding a slightly more elevated option for kicking back in.

Song for the Mute

Heritage punk sensibility meets avant-garde design at Song for the Mute, the Sydney-born label that’s built a global following on its distinctive streetwear. Its comfy casualwear carries the same singular point of view – unique motifs, bold graphics and hand-scrawled details that make even a sweatshirt feel considered.

EM on Holiday

EM on Holiday has a relaxed state of mind that translates effortlessly across the Sydney label’s range of sweats. From signature hibiscus motifs to cheeky slogans, these pieces will bring a playful energy to your wardrobe.

P Johnson

It’s no secret that we’re fans of P Johnson’s tailoring and denim at Broadsheet. But the label knows how to loosen up, too. Its latest collection of unisex sweats is filled with preppy appeal, from polo necklines to varsity-leaning grey melange.

This article first appeared on Broadsheet on October 8, 2020, and has since been updated. Additional reporting by Stephanie Vigilante.

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