I Found a Cozy Mock-Neck Sweatshirt That Doesn’t Cost $100

The ones that didn’t quite cut it

When I tried this sweatshirt on for the first time, I had to double-check the tag to make sure I’d received the right size. Upon checking, I thought, Extra-small, really? The sweatshirt is described as oversize — “slouchy, relaxed fit,” specifically — but I underestimated just how oversize it would look on my shorter frame. The sweatshirt itself is thick and heavy, and the neck is the thickest of all the sweatshirts I tried. It falls about halfway down my thighs, and the sleeves bunch generously at my wrists because there’s so much extra fabric. This is certainly a sweatshirt for someone — perhaps someone who prefers boxy, cozy clothing — but I wanted something more formfitting that doesn’t weigh me down.

Alo’s take on the mock-neck is elegant. With its cowl-esque neck and drop sleeves, it feels like something Lily van der Woodsen or Alexis Rose would wear on a lazy day. Still, it was boxier than I was looking for. Perhaps I should have sized down to an extra-extra-small — Alo recommends sizing down once or twice if you prefer a closer fit — but I still worry the slouchier silhouette, which reminds me of a flying squirrel when I raise my arms, would feel too cumbersome. However, if you’re going for the oversize look, I’d still recommend the sweatshirt, especially if you size down. It’s smooth on the outside and has a soft fleece interior, making it a dressy-ish layer to wear from the gym to brunch.

Think of the oversize, lived-in, lightweight crewneck you’ve been wearing over your activewear on the rainy days you actually make it to the gym. It’s soft but a little rugged on the inside and sits loosely on the frame. This one feels like that out of the bag. If you’re looking for a mock-neck version of that crewneck, look no further than this one. However, considering the price, I’d recommend buying a cheaper mock-neck and just wearing it in.

I’m a big fan of Aritzia’s Sweatfleece; it washes well, looks smooth on the exterior, and has that just-soft-enough fleece interior that keeps you warm without overheating. As such, I had high hopes for Aritzia’s take on the mock-neck, which is more formfitting than many of the other sweatshirts I tried. Unfortunately, it was almost too formfitting, especially at the neckline, where it was tight and constricting — and I like to think my neck is average size. If you’re looking for more of a turtleneck sweatshirt than a mock-neck, though, this one fits the bill. Perhaps the brand’s “megafunnel neck,” which is roomier around the neck, would have served me better.

At first, my infatuation with the electric blue of this mock-neck clouded my judgment — I’m definitely a “bright winter” on the color-analysis spectrum. It has a soft fleece interior and a longer, thicker mock-neck that isn’t suffocating. However, if this sweatshirt was, say, gray or white, I certainly wouldn’t have worn it as much as I did when it first arrived. It’s oversize in the extra-small I tried and ends about halfway down my thigh. However, the waistband is just slightly too tight to wear untucked without feeling suffocated. The arms, especially when using the thumbholes, are also too short when I raise my hands.

The runners-up

Between the ribbed trim on the collar and cuffs and raw edge at the bottom, it feels like this sweatshirt doesn’t know exactly what it wants to be. The ribbing makes it feel dressier, while the raw edge makes it look like you hacked at a beloved sweatshirt with scissors. This disconnect isn’t a deal-breaker — it’s still a nice sweatshirt that I’d throw on to run errands and travel — but I found some I liked more below. Still, I’d recommend this for someone who doesn’t like cookie-cutter pieces in their wardrobe. It leans lightweight and feels just as soft and fleece-y as many of the other sweatshirts I tried.

There’s much to debate about the price of sweatshirts these days. Higher prices typically indicate higher-quality cotton, detail-oriented finishes, and (of course) a marketing buffer. And while this sweatshirt isn’t the cheapest one on this list, I’d expect it to cost at least $50 more, especially since it’s from Reformation. The fabric itself is thick and — dare I say — lusciously soft. I like that the neck is loose yet slightly longer than many of the others I tried. In fact, with its sleeker (but still oversize) silhouette, it was the only sweatshirt I wanted to wear during this recent nor’easter. I just wish the silhouette was less boxy, since it swallows my smaller frame unless I tuck it in.

I’m a few years out of college, so there’s something about the big “Parke” letters you’d usually find on the eponymous sweatshirt that seem out of place in my closet. They feel very college and very TikTok, but I can’t lie: The Parke mock-neck is very good, especially in the blank version, which is often in stock because who, other than me, wants a Parke sweatshirt if it doesn’t say “Parke”? The neck is loose without being slouchy, and the fleece feels heavy without weighing me down. Mine is an older version without the contrast stitching, but they generally fit oversize without being too long, something I struggle to find in sweatshirts as a person with a short torso. It didn’t make the winner’s circle because of the price — and because the (cheaper) sweatshirts below scratch a similar itch.

The Winners

I’ve learned that even more than the silhouette, the success of an oversize sweatshirt comes down to the hem. Some are too tight, cinching the otherwise bulbous sweatshirt awkwardly at the hips, while others are too loose, making the wearer look like a melting snowman. This one manages to avoid both those fates with a split hem that allows the sweatshirt to fall around my frame naturally. The fleece inside is fluffy and warm, and I appreciate that the striped versions of the sweatshirt have an extra stripe on the top of the neck itself, tying together the pattern. The sweatshirt is loose enough that I can sleep in it, but not so loose that I couldn’t wear it to grab coffee downtown. Best of all, the price is right, especially when it’s on sale (as it often is).