Sometimes, the best casual style moves take something you know and love — say, one of the best men’s sweatshirts — and switch things up ever so slightly. If you read the blog, you already know that USA-made style purveyors American Giant excel at making all forms of casually rugged style gear, from heavyweight and mid-weight crewneck sweatshirts, like its famed American Giant Full-Zip and Classic Pullovers. Perhaps you’re even a fan of the rugged American Giant Roughneck Pants for work (or play). But the real reason we’re here today is the reintroduction of a classic: The American Giant Lightweight Full-Zip. Crucially, it strikes the perfect style balance these days and is, without a doubt, one of the best lightweight sweatshirts for spring — to say the least.
Like those crucial spring style moves I mentioned earlier, the American Giant Lightweight Full-Zip changes things up ever-so-slightly from what you know and love. As the brand says themselves, this lightweight hoodie (available in some especially spring-ready colors) is as “light as your favorite T-shirt, as soft and comfortable as your favorite hoodie” — sounds pretty ideal to me.
The key with the American Giant Lightweight Full-Zip is that fabric blend: In this case, it’s a tri-blend jersey fabric that goes heavy on the polyester for stretch, and uses cotton and rayon for softness and just a bit of sturdiness. The American Giant Lightweight Full-Zip hits that happy medium between the brand’s Heavyweight and Midweight options — it’s almost a summer-weight blend, perfect for breezy spring days and nights. The full-zip design of the American Giant Lightweight Full-Zip also makes it easy to throw on or customize the fit: Zip it up all the way for extra coverage, or leave it unzipped to show off your favorite graphic tee.
You can rest easy when it comes to the quality of the American Giant Lightweight Full-Zip — it’s made in North Carolina for an extra touch of care and attention to detail. It might be $90, but it’s one of the best sweatshirts for men for that very purpose. It also features raglan stitching for both durability and mobility, plus an added dose of contrasting style (you can see it most readily on the Grey Ink Heather color of the American Giant Lightweight Full-Zip). Take your pick from on-trend spring colors like Burnt Clay Heather (ideal to rock with light wash jeans and your favorite chukka boots) or team a more classic colorway of the American Giant Lightweight Full-Zip with dark blue jeans, a thermal henley and high-top sneakers. Casual style gets even easier with a laidback, yet well-made, essential like the American Giant Lightweight Full-Zip — get your favorite color while it’s still around.