When I was living on the West Coast, one of my close friends was a devotee of Alternative Apparel hoodies. I never really understood it until the brand opened its boutique in the Hayes Valley neighborhood of San Francisco. My friend was stocking up on some new zip hoodies, so I decided to tag along and see what the fervor was about.
The designs are dead simple. They feature a one-way zipper, front hand pockets, raglan sleeves and a tonal drawstring. But the fabric is what makes these hoodies special. It’s a cotton-poly French terry that is ridiculously soft. Alternative Apparel even claims the material is resistant to pilling.
When I got my next paycheck, I picked one up for myself. It quickly became my go-to layer for lazy weekend mornings, casual afternoons and chilly evenings on the beach. If you want to try one of these hoodies out for yourself, you don’t have to wait; Nordstrom Rack is having a great sale and you can pick one up for just $23.
Franchise Zip-Up Hoodie (Black) by Alternative Apparel $54 $23
