Five Plus One is our weekly series of buyer’s guides. We pick a specific category and dig up five great options along with one that’s a little outside the norm.
Most of us denim heads are fans of loopwheel sweatshirts. After all, loopwheel sweatshirts are the selvedge denim equivalent of the sweatshirt world. But sadly, the limited number of brands producing loopwheel products (and the limited number of factories producing loopwheel fabric) has severely limited the breadth of the loopwheel items produced. Fortunately, loopwheel’s continued resurgence over the last decade has led to more options than ever before.
Join us as we explore the colorful options the loopwheel community has to offer. If you haven’t heard of loopwheel cotton before or simply want to learn more, check out How To Recognize Loopwheeled Products – The Selvedge of Knitwear
1) Cushman Lot. 26901 Set-In Sleeve Sweatshirt Yellow
Cushman‘s Set-In-Sleeve Sweatshirt comes in a ton of different colors, including the yellow pictured above, but that’s not its only selling point. Made in Japan from 100% cotton loopwheel fabric, these sweatshirts feature a real, v-gusset collar and ribbing at the cuffs and hem. While certainly not a cheap sweatshirt, it is reasonably priced for loopwheel. Our own Will Reynolds swears by the Freedom Sleeve edition of these sweatshirts, and whilst that’s a different silhouette, the fabric is the same pillowy and luxurious loopwheel fleece that ages so, so well.
Available for $190 from Clutch Cafe.
2) Merz b. Schwanen: 346 Loopwheel Sweatshirt
Merz b. Schwanen is another brand offering a previously inconceivable number of different colorways of loopwheel goodness. Their 346 Loopwheel sweatshirt, shown here in army green, is made in Germany from loopwheeled cotton fleece but has the styling of a more modern sweatshirt. Featuring a symmetrical v-gusset collar, gusseted underarms, and extra-wide ribbing at the cuffs and hem, these sweatshirts are sure to be some of the comfiest and most versatile available.
Available for €155 (~$167USD) from Merz b. Schwanen.
3) The Flat Head: Flat-Seamer Super-Slow Loopwheel Sweatshirt
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The Flat Head‘s Flat-Seamer Super-Slow Loopwheel Sweatshirt might not come in quite as many colors as the previous brands on this list, but some of them are quite unique and beautiful. Their Pale Red colorway is a pleasantly understated red that you won’t have to worry about fading with age, as that’s the aesthetic it’s got to begin with. It’s made in Japan from 11 oz. Japanese loopwheeled cotton and features flat-seam construction for comfort and a slim fit.
Available for $174 from Corlection.
4) The Real McCoy’s: Two-Tone Crew Sweat
Just because you want a colorful loopwheel sweatshirt doesn’t mean you need to settle for just one color. The Real McCoy’s Two-Tone Crew Sweat comes in two colors: ink blue/yellow and orange/black. These made-in-Japan sweatshirts feature a solid body/arm color with a contrasting on the hem, cuffs, crewneck, and neck gussets. If you wear plain sweatshirts all the time and feel like you’ve got a bit of a heritage-uniform thing going on, reach for one of these to switch things up. The Real McCoy’s makes one hell of a sweatshirt, too.
Available for $245 from End.
5) Warehouse: Loopwheel Set-In Freedom Crewneck
Warehouse & Co. is another brand offering a limited number of colors, but some great ones at that. Their Loopwheel Set-In Freedom Crewneck is shown here in their ‘Salmon’ colorway, which is another great option if you’re looking for that McQueen-eusque vintage-y red look. It’s made in Japan with four-needle construction and extra-wide and tight ribbing at the cuffs and hem, which gives a unique look to the silhouette.
Available for $175 from Self Edge.
Plus One – Studio D’artisan: “Amami Dorozome” Loopwheel Crewneck Sweater
If you are wanting a truly unique loopwheel sweatshirt, then look no further than Studio D’artisan‘s Amami Dorozome Loopwheel Crewneck Sweater. Available in brown and dark brown colorways, these sweatshirts might not sound special on paper, but their marbled hue is truly something to behold. They’re dyed using Japanese mud-dying techniques, which gives a beautiful color and texture to an already astounding fabric.
Available for $245 from Okayama Denim.
