Article: 7 Essential Hoodie Colours You Need in Your Closet

Aug 7, 2025

7 Essential Hoodie Colours You Need in Your Closet

The humble hoodie: perfect for layering, throwing on after a workout, or just adding an effortlessly cool layer to your look. But while the style is a no-brainer, the colour you choose can completely change the vibe.

Sure, you’ve probably got a go-to. But building out a versatile hoodie lineup means you’ll always have the right fit—no matter the mood, outfit, or season. Let’s break down the seven essential zip-up hoodie colours every wardrobe should have.

1. Heather Grey: The Timeless Neutral

Heather Grey is as versatile as it gets. With an athletic, worn-in energy, it works with everything from denim to sweats. Whether you're heading to the gym or layering over a tee for errands, a grey hoodie brings laid-back confidence to any look. The soft texture of our ReFlex Fleece makes it even more wearable—year-round.

2. Sea Blue: A Rich Coloured, Versatile Pop

Sea Blue walks the line between standout and staple. It’s fresh, easy to wear, and adds colour without going overboard. Great for spring days, cool nights, and everything in between. This one adds energy to neutrals while keeping your look grounded.

3. Brown: Earthy, Warm, and Grounded

Brown is the hoodie equivalent of a hot coffee on a cold morning—warm, grounding, and full of character. It brings depth to casual fits and layers well with textured fabrics like corduroy, flannel, or denim.

Brown and Sea Blue Hoodie at American Apparel

4. Black: The Always-In Style Classic

If you own only one hoodie, make it black. A black hoodie for men or women is the universal fallback—flattering, practical, and always in style. It’s great for workouts, travel, layering over bold prints, or pairing with an all-black outfit when you want to look put-together with minimal effort.

5. Bone: Clean, Light, and Elegant

Bone is an underrated neutral. Warmer than white but still clean and minimal, this colour adds a polished edge to everyday wear. It works beautifully with earth tones and brings a soft, elevated touch to casual fits.

6. Blush: Subtle Colour with a Modern Edge

Blush brings colour into your closet without being loud. This muted pink tone plays surprisingly well as a neutral and adds a modern, fashion-forward twist to your rotation. It’s soft, comfortable, and a favourite for relaxed moments or weekend brunches.

7. Lieutenant: Military-Inspired Boldness

Lieutenant green (we call it Army) is all about attitude. Inspired by military styling, it’s rugged, confident, and makes even the simplest outfit feel intentional. It’s a great choice if you want to branch out from neutrals without diving into bright colours.

Zip-Up Hoodies for Every Occasion

• Travel: Heather Grey or Sea Blue for comfort and layering on the go

• Gym: Black or Bone — breathable, flexible, and low-maintenance

• Lounging: Blush or Brown for softness and relaxed appeal

• Streetwear: Lieutenant or Black for bold, layered outfits

How to Keep Your Hoodies Looking Sharp

• Wash in cold water with similar colours

• Skip the bleach to preserve dye

• Tumble dry low or air dry

• Fold instead of hanging to retain shape

Final Thoughts: Build the Collection That Works for You

Hoodies aren’t just about comfort—they’re about style that adapts. By rotating through these seven core colours—Heather Grey, Sea Blue, Black, Bone, Blush, Brown, and Lieutenant—you can match any mood, season, or outfit without thinking twice.

Each colour brings something different to the table. Start with your go-to, then branch out—you’ll be surprised how much versatility you can get from a solid zip-up hoodie lineup.

Ready to build yours? Explore the full collection here.

Written by Jaanvi Mittal

StAArt Up Fund: BIGSOUND x American Apparel®

Live Merch, No Middleman: American Apparel® at BIGSOUND This year, BIGSOUND isn’t just about the music—it’s about putting artists first. In a BIGSOUND first, American Apparel® is teaming up with th...

AA Tribe: Real People. Real Stories. Real Style.

At American Apparel®, we’ve always backed the originals, and AA Tribe is our way of giving them the spotlight. What is the AA tribe? AA Tribe is not a campaign. It’s a community. A growing collecti...