Are American Giant's Viral Hoodies Worth it? An Honest Review

Have you made it to the “in-between” days where you live yet?

Those days where you need a jacket in the morning, but are sweating by noon. Or those weeks where no two days are the same temperature—not even close. It’s not quite spring, yet winter is already in the past.

We’ve hit that time here in Charlotte, the time between Third Winter and The Pollening (along with the title of this post, that’s a reference to this meme). And if you’re anything like me, you’re desperate to give your sweaters a final cleaning for the season before storing them away, and ready to start bearing your arms again.

Note: This post is not sponsored, but I was gifted these products with no strings attached. I've been wearing them almost non-stop since they arrived though, so I thought I'd share them with you today—along with some tips for dressing for these wonky pre-spring days! This post contains affiliate links, and I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking one of these links—at no additional cost to you.

We’re almost there—those lovely spring days are so close I can almost, well, not taste them (that’s such a weird phrase, right?). But it’s evident that there’s a change headed this way, and with that, I’m ready to make a wardrobe shift.

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Since it can be challenging to dress for this time of year, I thought I’d share a few outfits I’ll be wearing on repeat in the coming weeks, and a few tips for transitional dressing—all with the help of some more quality basics made right here in the USA from American Giant (you can check out my previous post featuring their Ponte Slim Pant here). You’ll even find an exclusive discount code at the end. Let’s transition to the post, shall we?

THREE OUTFITS FOR THE SPRING OF DECEPTION

Two images: Alyssa wearing the Everyday Half Zip Hoodie, cream denim, white sneakers, and a cream crossbody purse. In one photo she is facing the camera and pulling the hood up, and in the other she is facing the viewer's right — Lightweight Cotton Half Zip Hoodie℅ | Pants* | Sneakers* | Bag* | Necklace* | Earrings*

For the random cold snap

When it’s just too cold to go sleeveless, you can fake a warm-weather outfit by wearing white or light colors. Here I’ve paired the Lightweight Cotton Half Zip Hoodie with a pair of pleated pants, and I’ve fully embraced the sporty look by adding white sneakers. This is the perfect outfit for Saturday morning walks on the Rail Trail, and it won’t look out of place at most neighborhood brunch spots should we decide to stop somewhere.

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Two Images: Alyssa wearing the muscle tank, light blue jeans, tan mules, and a tan bag. In one of the photos she also has a sweatshirt draped over her shoulders — Classic Cotton Muscle Tank℅ | Crewneck Sweatshirt℅ | Denim | Mules | Bag* | Necklace*

For those cold-in-the-morning/hot-in-the-afternoon days

I love pairing black with light denim (I also really just love light denim. And black). This look could also easily veer into sporty territory thanks to the muscle tank and sweatshirt, but the drape of the sweatshirt and the tuck on the tank place it back towards center—and the heeled mule really elevates it. I’m looking forward to wearing this out for coffee dates and popping into my favorite local shops (particularly thrift stores!).

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Two Images. Alyssa is wearing the Storm Full Zip hoodie, ponte pants, a white tee, and rainboots. In one image she is wearing a belt bag worn across her chest, like the cool kids do — Storm Full Zip℅ | Ponte Slim Pant℅ | Classic Cotton Crew T℅ | Rain Boots* | Belt Bag

For April Showers that arrive early

I prefer rain jackets to carrying an umbrella to stay hands-free, and this cotton hoodie is actually water repellent (I was *this many* years old when I realized that you could have non-synthetic rainwear. Who’d’ve thought?). My goal on these rainy days is primarily to stay dry, but having a cute outfit helps (and don’t forget to accessorize your outfit with a smile, because rain is a sign that flowers are next!)

TIPS FOR TRANSITIONAL DRESSING

Layer

This can be done in one of two ways: layering a longer garment either over or under another. I know, it seems so obvious that it feels like it doesn’t even need to be said. But I think it’s easy to forget layering as an option because it requires a bit more consideration and effort.

If you’re going to be at a destination for most of the day or will be traveling by car, or planning to bring a large tote with you, it makes sense to layer a heavier piece over a lighter garment. Think hoodie-over-tee, or sweater-over-dress. When it gets warm enough, just take off the top garment and drape it over your desk chair/leave it in the backseat/stash it in your bag.

As for layering the heavier garment under your lighter ones, it’s best to do this on those cooler, overcast days as it may not be possible to easily remove it if it gets too warm. I like to layer pants under dresses and tees or sweaters under jumpsuits.

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Choose your fibers wisely

Opt for breathable, natural fibers whenever possible to keep your body temperature comfortable. I luxuriate in silk on spring days with warm weather (that was a bit of a dramatic thing to say, but it’s kind of true), but we’re not quite there yet. Instead, I’m reaching for lightweight wool garments and cotton, which is ultra-practical at this time of year provided it doesn’t get too wet (more on that later!).

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Bring in elements from other seasons, comfortably

It may not quite be time for sandals, but peep-toe shoes, mules, and clogs all evoke the feeling of a warmer day but with added coverage. Adding woven accessories is another great way to lighten up an outfit without impacting your internal temperature.

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Wear light (or bright) colors

I mentioned this already, but it bears repeating. Choosing light colors figuratively warms up a cold-weather outfit. It doesn’t have to be shades of white, either—your summer color palette is ready to thrive right now. Think sunshine yellow or poppy red sweaters, long-sleeve chambray dresses, or taupe ankle boots. All are inherently designed to keep you warm(ish), but in these tones, they feel less wintery.

ABOUT THESE PIECES—AND AN EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT!

All three garments on a hanger — Classic Cotton Muscle Tank | Lightweight Cotton Half Zip Hoodie | Storm Full Zip *all ℅*

The Classic Cotton Muscle Tank is a great sleeveless top, either alone or as a base layer. It’s made of U.S.-grown Supima cotton, which is a higher-quality fiber than most cottons, and it’s super-soft to the touch. This style of top is great to have on hand for all seasons. Worn alone, it’s perfect for hot summer days (when you need a little more air circulation!). It’s also a great piece to have around in the cooler months, worn under your most delicate sweaters.

Like other tees from American Giant, the Classic Cotton Muscle Tank is a bit on the longer side (especially on my 5’4″-frame), but it’s thin enough that tucking is a non-issue. By the way, I’m wearing a Small in both hoodies and Extra-Small in the tank. My current measurements are 37″-28″-41.5″.

The Lightweight Cotton Half Zip Hoodie in this dreamy neutral (sadly this colorway is no longer available) is the perfect example of wearing light colors to make an outfit feel “warmer.” It’s 100% cotton and features a pouch pocket and half zip (although to me it seems closer to a quarter zip). The fit is relaxed yet cropped, and it pairs well with high-waisted pants and denim. I personally like not having the pesky drawstrings that you find on some hoodies; though this means the hood can’t be tightened, it gives it a sleeker look. Zippered tops can feel a bit cool on the skin, and wearing a shirt underneath helps (this also helps reduce contact with your skin, and thus the need to be washed as frequently).

The Storm Full Zip is American Giant’s rain-ready take on their popular Classic Full Zip (you know, the one called “The Greatest Hoodie Ever Made“). Like the Classic Full Zip, it’s a 100% cotton fleece—but it also includes a water-repellant Storm DWR coating (see it in action on my Instagram).

The water-repellency lasts up to thirty washes, and as I prefer to launder outerwear infrequently to extend its life expectancy, I suspect it will be a while before I replenish the coating. What will be a bit unusual for me, though, is drying the jacket. I typically hang most of my garments to dry, but heat can actually be a helpful tool for reviving repellency so I’ll be following the instructions to tumble dry low.

Just a heads-up that there are limited sizes in stock, but a little birdie told me they will be restocked later this year. Fun fact: the Storm Full Zip is made right here in North Carolina, only a three-hour drive from Charlotte in Middlesex!

About that discount…

You can use code WAYWARD to save 20% on your first purchase from American Giant. Enjoy the special savings—and thanks for supporting the brands that support this blog!

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If you found this post helpful, please consider shopping through my link. It doesn’t impact the cost of your purchase, but allows me to continue running this blog ad-free for a better user experience.

Thank you for your support – it means the world to me!

*many of the garments in my wardrobe are several years old and no longer available from the maker; I've linked to a comparable product

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Three Outfits for the Spring of Deception—and Tips for Transitional Dressing—featuring American Giant