The Icon: Grey Sweatshirts

The grey sweatshirt was first introduced as part of sportswear in the 1920s, when brands like Champion created simple, practical designs to accommodate the growing demand for comfortable, functional sportswear. The grey tone, soft cotton fabric and minimalist aesthetic became the hallmarks of the style.

By the 1950s, the grey sweatshirt was gaining cultural significance thanks to Hollywood icons like Marlon Brando and James Dean, who wore them in films like On the Waterfront and Rebel Without a Cause. By the 1980s, hip-hop culture had taken on the look, with graphic prints and logos turning sweatshirts into cult items. Norma Kamali's 1981 collection – and in particular, the grey sweatshirt jumpsuit – was a turning point, blurring the lines between sportswear and high fashion. Jennifer Beals’ slashed-neck sweatshirt in Flashdance in 1983 further cemented the sweatshirt's pop culture status. By the mid-80s, designers like Jean-Paul Gaultier and Vivienne Westwood had incorporated athletic influences into their collections. The 1990s saw the grey sweatshirt firmly established in high fashion, with oversized, minimalist styles popularised by designers like Calvin Klein, Kate Moss and the grunge movement. Today, it's an effortless wardrobe staple — still sporty but with a chic, timeless appeal that transcends seasons and demographics.