The sweatshirt is perhaps one of the most basic forms of clothing on the planet. In fact, I believe it may be surpassed in simplicity only by the robe. With its incredibly basic shape and construction, the sweatshirt (or pullover, jumper or jersey, depending on what country you're in) is an article of clothing that anyone can wear. Although the garment's name implies physical activity, sweatshirts have actually become the uniform of those either too busy or too lazy to make an effort when dressing. Indeed, much of the sweatshirt's popularity is due to the manner in which it simplifies getting dressed in the morning. Perhaps that is why sweatshirts are sported across the country by couch potatoes and college students alike.

Sweatshirts are usually made from thick cotton or cotton combined with another material, such as fleece. They mimic the basic shape of the human torso and are donned by being pulled over the head. Many athletic teams, especially those in high schools, combine sweatshirts with sweatpants to create team uniforms. These uniforms are mostly used during practices and warm-up sessions, being considered too informal for competitive events. The benefit of a sweatshirt, aside from its simplistic nature, is that it provides the wearer with a fair amount of warmth at relatively little cost. The economic advantage of the sweatshirt makes it additionally appealing to high school athletic teams, who often have little financial support.

As previously stated, a large number of college students favor sweatshirts for daily wear, at least in the United States. This is partially due to the simplistic nature of the garment, which is complimentary to the academic pressure of college and the students' desire to concentrate on their studies. However, there is another factor to be considered. College sweatshirts, i.e. sweatshirts emblazoned with college names and mascots, are extremely popular in modern U.S. culture. Hence almost all college students own at least one sweatshirt bearing the name of their school, and wearing such garments are a way for students to show school spirit.

Technically, there are subdivisions to the sweatshirt category. Hoodies, for example, are sweatshirts with integrated hoods. These are extremely popular for both stylistic and logistical reasons. In sports, a hood gives the player added warmth by protecting the head. In contemporary fashion, hoodies are trendy due to their associations with certain aspects of popular culture. Some hoodies are basically sweatshirts with hoods, but others have zippers that open along the garment's front. Such hoodies are generally considered to be of a higher quality than those without zippers.

Sweatshirt fashions vary according to the trends of the day. In the 1980s, sweatshirts were usually baggy and long, and on women, the garments often reached to just above the knees. During that decade, sweatshirts were usually decorated with bold designs and bright neon colors. In contrast, the sweatshirts of today are usually quite formfitting and sit at or just above the waistline. More reserved colors are now used and while decorations are still popular, they are not as bold as those of 20 years ago.