For The Republic Sweatshirts | Premium Cotton Fleece Collection
Our classic crewneck is the foundation of any casual wardrobe. We cut each sweatshirt from heavyweight 12 oz. cotton fleece that holds its shape season after season. The relaxed fit leaves room for layering without feeling oversized, while the brushed interior traps warmth without adding bulk.
Fabric & construction details
Cotton fleece construction & weight
We source our cotton fleece from mills that spin ring-spun yarn—a slower process that produces stronger, softer fibers than open-end spinning. Ring-spun cotton resists pilling because the fibers are tightly twisted before being knit into fabric. Every For The Republic sweatshirt uses 12 oz. fleece, which is heavier than the 8-10 oz. fleece found in fast-fashion basics.
Sizing, fit & layering
For The Republic sweatshirts run true to size using unisex measurements. If you typically wear a medium in tees, order a medium in our sweatshirts. The relaxed fit leaves 2-3 inches of ease through the chest and waist, giving you room to layer a henley or thermal underneath without the sweatshirt feeling tight across your shoulders.
More styles in our fleece collection
Sweatshirt sizing & care questions
Our sweatshirts run true to size using unisex measurements. If you wear a medium in most brands, order a medium here. The fit is relaxed through the chest and waist with 2-3 inches of ease for layering. Our cropped sweatshirt uses women’s sizing and is cut narrower through the torso.
The sleeves are cut long enough to reach your wrist bone with ribbed cuffs sitting at the base of your wrist. If you have longer arms or prefer more coverage, size up one.
We pre-shrink all fleece before cutting, so you won’t see significant shrinkage if you follow care instructions. Wash in cold water and tumble dry on low heat or hang to air dry. High heat can cause minor shrinkage in any cotton garment, but our pre-shrinking process minimizes this.
After the first wash, you may notice the fabric relaxes slightly and becomes even softer. This is normal for ring-spun cotton fleece and doesn’t indicate shrinkage—the garment dimensions remain the same.
The crewneck is our classic pullover style with a round neckline and no closure. It’s the most versatile option for layering under jackets or wearing on its own. The half-zip has a stand collar that sits 3 inches high and a brass zipper that runs from the collar to mid-chest.
The half-zip offers more temperature control—you can wear it fully zipped for warmth or open over a henley for a layered look. Both use the same 12 oz. cotton fleece and have the same relaxed fit through the body.
Yes, all For The Republic sweatshirts are designed to layer cleanly under structured outerwear. The 12 oz. fleece is thick enough to provide warmth but not so bulky that it bunches under a coat. The raglan sleeves on our hoodie and the set-in sleeves on our crewneck both allow full range of motion when layered.
The half-zip works especially well under a jacket because you can unzip it for ventilation without removing your outer layer. Avoid sizing up for layering—the relaxed fit already includes ease for underlayers.
We use ribbing with a spandex core that retains elasticity through repeated wear and washing. After 50+ washes, the cuffs on our sweatshirts still snap back to their original shape. The key is washing in cold water and avoiding high heat in the dryer—heat breaks down spandex fibers over time.
If you notice the cuffs loosening, it usually means the garment has been exposed to high heat. Air drying or using low heat in the dryer will extend the life of the ribbing significantly.
The vintage wash creates intentional color variation and a faded look from the start, so you won’t see additional fading as a defect. The enzyme wash we use is controlled to achieve a specific aesthetic—each hoodie has unique subtle variations in color across the chest and sleeves.
After washing, the color remains consistent with how it looked when you received it. We use fiber-reactive dyes that bond chemically with the cotton, so the color won’t wash out or bleed onto other garments.
Our heavyweight fleece works well in temperatures from 40°F to 65°F as an outer layer. Below 40°F, layer the sweatshirt under a jacket or coat for additional warmth. The brushed interior traps air for insulation, making these sweatshirts warmer than lightweight hoodies in the same temperature range.
In temps above 65°F, the 12 oz. fleece may feel too warm for extended outdoor wear, but it’s still comfortable for indoor use or evening wear when temps drop. The half-zip offers the most versatility because you can adjust ventilation with the zipper.