Hoodie vs Sweatshirt: 6 Differences That Matter
A hoodie is a sweatshirt with an attached hood, so the hoodie vs sweatshirt question comes down to that hood and the details it brings: a drawcord, a front pouch pocket and a different neckline. A sweatshirt is a hoodless pullover with a round crew neck. Cut from the same fleece, the two keep the body equally warm and differ in head coverage, layering and price.
We stitch pet portraits and pet designs on both, using two Gildan Heavy Blend blanks that make a clean side-by-side example: the 18500 hooded sweatshirt behind our custom pet hoodies and the 18000 crewneck behind our custom pet sweatshirts. The specs below come from Gildan’s product pages.
Table of contents
- What’s the difference between a hoodie and a sweatshirt?
- How do the Gildan 18500 hoodie and 18000 sweatshirt compare?
- Can you call a hoodie a sweatshirt?
- Is a hoodie still a hoodie if it has a zipper?
- Which is better, a hoodie or a sweatshirt?
- Where does an embroidered pet design sit on a hoodie and a sweatshirt?
- Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between a hoodie and a sweatshirt?
The difference between a hoodie and a sweatshirt is the hood, plus the pocket, neckline and layering changes that come with it. On two garments made from the same fabric, six differences matter:
- Hood: A hoodie has an attached hood; on the Gildan 18500 it is double-lined, with a color-matched drawcord. A sweatshirt has no hood.
- Pocket: A pullover hoodie usually has a pouch pocket across the lower front, often called a kangaroo pocket. The 18500 has one; the 18000 crewneck has none.
- Neckline: A sweatshirt has a round crew neckline that sits close to the base of the neck. On a hoodie, the hood is sewn into the neckline and the drawcord ends hang over the upper chest.
- Warmth: With the same fleece, the body of each garment is equally warm. Both Gildan models use 8 oz/yd² (about 271 g/m²) Heavy Blend fleece, so the hood’s head and neck coverage is the only added warmth.
- Layering: A crewneck lies flat under a coat or over a collared shirt. A hood can bunch at the back of the neck under a jacket collar.
- Price: The hood, drawcord and pocket add fabric and sewing. In our shop, a design that comes in both costs $53.85 on the hoodie and $49.85 on the sweatshirt.
Everything else can be identical. On the 18000 and 18500, the fabric, the 1×1 rib with spandex at the cuffs and waistband, the classic fit, the seamless body and the body measurements are the same.
How do the Gildan 18500 hoodie and 18000 sweatshirt compare?
The Gildan 18500 hoodie and 18000 sweatshirt use the same fabric, fit and measurements, and differ only in the hood, the pocket and the neckline. The table puts them side by side for sizes S–5XL, with specs from the Gildan 18000 crewneck page and the Gildan 18500 hooded sweatshirt page.
| Feature | Sweatshirt (Gildan 18000) | Hoodie (Gildan 18500) |
|---|---|---|
| Hood | None | Double-lined, color-matched drawcord |
| None | Front pouch pocket | |
| Neckline | Round crew neck | Hood sewn into the neckline |
| Fabric weight | 8 oz/yd² (about 271 g/m²) | 8 oz/yd² (about 271 g/m²) |
| Fiber | Solid colors 50% cotton / 50% polyester; heathers 60% polyester / 40% cotton | Same as the 18000 |
| Warmth | Torso and arms | Torso and arms, plus head and neck under the hood |
| Layering | Flat under a coat or over a collared shirt | Hood adds bulk at the back of the neck |
| Body width | 20–34 in (51–86 cm) | 20–34 in (51–86 cm) |
| Body length | 27–34 in (69–86 cm) | 27–34 in (69–86 cm) |
| Sleeve from center back | 33.5–40.5 in (85–103 cm) | 33.5–40.5 in (85–103 cm) |
| Our price | $49.85 | $53.85 |
| Chest design area | Full front, collar to waistband | Upper chest, above the pocket |
Because the measurements match, the same size fits in both.
Can you call a hoodie a sweatshirt?
Yes, you can call a hoodie a sweatshirt, because a hoodie is a sweatshirt with a hood; Gildan sells the 18500 as an “Adult Hooded Sweatshirt”. The reverse does not work: a crewneck without a hood is a sweatshirt but not a hoodie. In everyday US speech, “sweatshirt” on its own often means the hoodless crewneck, so name the hood when you order one or ask for one as a gift.
Is a hoodie still a hoodie if it has a zipper?
Yes, a hoodie with a zipper is still a hoodie, usually called a zip-up or full-zip hoodie, because the hood is what defines it. Gildan’s 18600 full-zip hooded sweatshirt uses the same 8 oz/yd² Heavy Blend fleece and changes three details: an unlined hood, a metal zipper and pouch pockets beside the zip.
The zipper runs down the center of the front, so a chest design on a zip-up goes on the left or right chest instead of the center. A short zipper that opens only the top of the front, at the neck, makes a quarter zip rather than a full zip.
Which is better, a hoodie or a sweatshirt?
Neither is better overall: a hoodie is the better choice for head coverage and a pocket, and a sweatshirt is the better choice for layering and a tidier look. Choose by how the garment will be worn:
- Hoodie: for walks, games and cool, windy days outdoors, when you want a hood to pull up and a pocket for your hands or phone.
- Sweatshirt: for wearing under a coat or over a collared shirt, for the office or a dinner out, and for a design that uses the whole front.
- Either one: for lounging at home, where the choice comes down to whether the wearer likes a hood.
We recommend looking at what the wearer already reaches for. Someone who pulls a hood up on every dog walk will wear the hoodie; someone who layers under a coat will wear the crewneck.
Where does an embroidered pet design sit on a hoodie and a sweatshirt?
The same embroidered pet portrait goes on both garments, but the design area differs. On the sweatshirt the front is clear from the collar to the waistband, while on a pullover hoodie the pouch pocket sits below the chest, so the design area is the upper chest, under the neckline and drawcord. Our pet portrait embroidery placement guide shows the left-, center- and right-chest positions, and our sweatshirt, hoodie or T-shirt guide helps you choose the garment for a portrait.
Frequently asked questions
Do a hoodie and a sweatshirt fit the same?
On the Gildan 18000 and 18500, yes: both run S–5XL with the same body width, body length and sleeve, so the same size fits in both. Check the Gildan sweatshirt size guide before you order, because made-to-order pieces are not eligible for size exchanges.
What is a sweatshirt without a hood called?
A sweatshirt without a hood is usually called a crewneck or crewneck sweatshirt, after its round neckline; our guide to what a crewneck is explains the name. Other hoodless styles include mock-neck and quarter-zip sweatshirts.
Do you wash a hoodie and a sweatshirt the same way?
Yes, a hoodie and a sweatshirt made from the same fleece are washed the same way. For embroidered pieces, wash cold and inside out on a gentle cycle, and never iron directly on the stitches; our guide to washing embroidered clothing covers drying and ironing in full.
Which makes a better gift, a hoodie or a sweatshirt?
The better gift is the style the person already wears most, so look at their closet or recent photos if you can. A sweatshirt layers under more outfits, and a hoodie suits someone who spends time outdoors. Our guide to personalized pet gifts has more ideas for pet owners.
