Chances are you've got a gray sweatshirt already bunched up in the back of your closet. If you don't—don't sweat it. Lots of designers and labels are churning out high-end versions of your favorite gym staple ranging from those made in super-luxe materials to those adorned with shoulder pads, studs, and zips. If you do have one—then rejoice! The little gray guy is getting lots of love, and we've come up with six different styling tips to give your sweatshirt the complete "She's All That" makeover. So grab your scissors, your layers, and maybe even a credit card—here are some ways to take your sweatshirt out of gym and onto the streets!
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Throw it over a longer shirt—This is the perfect opportunity to wear your completely buttoned-up shirt. A cropped sweatshirt in a thicker fabric can make a longer shirt worn underneath look neat.
Above, from left: ASOS Structured Shoulder Sweater, $16.91, available at ASOS; 3.1 Phillip Lim fall '10; American Apparel Unisex Raglan, $34, available at American Apparel; Topshop Woven Shoulder Sweatshirt, $55, available at Topshop.
Cut it up—Go for the ventilated look by cutting out holes from a thin sweatshirt. Get creative with fossil, skeleton, or plant-like patterns, or just start slashing for a random effect.
Above, from left: Cheap Monday Snake Cut-Out Sweatshirt, $65, available at I Don't Like Mondays; Alternative Apparel Slouchy Pullover, $32, available at Urban Outfitters; Wayne Ripped Sweatshirt, $275, available at Ssense.
Pair it with something loose on the bottom—It's too easy to wear a sweatshirt with a pair of skinny jeans. Choose relaxed black trousers or a long black skirt to wear with a filmy sweatshirt for an outfit that's both comfortable and undeniably chic. Don't forget to accessorize!
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Go long—Buy a sweatshirt in a few sizes too big and wear it as a dress. With a pair of great leggings, some ankle boots, and a few great necklaces, this look is foolproof for daytime.
Above, from left: 1971 Reiss Chrissie Zip-Off Sweatshirt, $116.67, available at ASOS; Andy T from Lookbook; Rag & Bone Sweatshirt, $240, available at La Garçonne; American Apparel Unisex Fleece Sweatshirt, $47, available at American Apparel.
Layer it under a jacket—In a threadbare or terry cloth material, sweatshirts can look like soft sweaters when worn under a trim blazer or motorcycle jacket.
Above, from left: Caroline B. from Lookbook; Madewell Gray Sweatshirt, image via Madewell spring 2010 lookbook; V::ROOM Long Sleeve Sweatshirt, $204, available at Ron Herman; Boy By Band Of Outsiders Cropped Sweatshirt, $202, available at La Garçonne.
Snip off the arms: Sometimes sweatshirt sleeves just look too big to make look cute. The solution? Snip off the arms for a short-sleeved look that's inspired by the runways.
Above, from left: Alexander Wang Gray Sweatshirt fall '10 runway, Forever 21 Shoulder Studded Sweatshirt, $17.80, available at Forever 21; T By Alexander Wang Football Crop Sweatshirt, $110, available at La Garçonne.