Ivy Ellis’s Next Move

From perfect socks to a standout hoodie rooted in sportswear tradition

I’ve been meaning to write something about Ivy Ellis for a while. They make what I honestly think is the perfect collegiate sports sock—thick, well-made, and just right for everyday wear.

But it’s not just the socks I like. I love their whole approach: the American sportswear roots, the vintage athletic influence, and the way they clearly care about the heritage behind it all.

They’re not just a brand putting stripes on socks; they’ve got values too. They partner with CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably), a charity that does really important work around mental health and suicide prevention. That kind of partnership says a lot about where their heart is.

So when they announced they were making a hoodie, I couldn’t wait to try it on. And when one arrived in the post, I knew I had to tell you about it.

The hoodie has always had a place in American sportswear. It started out as something purely practical, worn on the sidelines by athletes trying to stay warm, or thrown on over a jersey after practice. It was never meant to be fashionable, which is probably why it ended up being so timeless. You see it in old college yearbooks, boxing gyms, and grainy sideline photos and somehow, it still makes sense today. That’s the kind of history I’m drawn to, and it’s why a simple hoodie, when it’s made well, carries more weight than it lets on.

American sportswear is often dismissed as merely comfortable and practical, but to me it is a true reflection of craftsmanship. These garments were made with care and the best manufacturing processes to ensure they were fit for purpose. Ivy Ellis’s hoodie is a perfect example of that heritage, built to last and perform.

The hoodie, in particular, often gets overlooked as just a scruffy piece to throw on with jeans. But it can be worn in a way that looks deliberate, without feeling like you are just doing chores around the house. Small details, like tying a neat bow on the drawstrings (hashtag menswear, I know), can tighten the overall look and elevate the hoodie’s style.

It goes back to a point I have made before: why wouldn’t you want to wear something crafted for demanding conditions like sports, designed to endure environments tougher than your daily routine? A well-made hoodie like this will stand up to day-to-day wear much better than a cheap alternative that will wear out quickly. Quality fabrics and solid construction make all the difference.

Manufactured in Philadelphia, using cotton grown in North Carolina, the story of the States runs deep in this piece.

Made from 13oz cotton, the Tulane hoodie is built to last. Named after Tulane University, it nods to a long tradition of American collegiate sportswear—the kind of athletic legacy Ivy Ellis draws from so naturally.

The cotton from North Carolina is proper good stuff — the climate and soil there help grow longer, stronger fibers. That means the fabric feels soft but can take a beating, which is exactly what you want in something built for everyday wear and sport.

The hoodie was born in the 1930s, developed by Champion as practical gear for cold-weather workers, and quickly adopted by athletes for training and sideline use. On Ivy League campuses, athletes would often wear their team-issued hooded sweatshirts casually after practice. This is one of the first informal crossovers, still rooted in sport but creeping into daily college life. These weren’t fashion garments; they were functional, often oversized, and worn with grey sweatpants, denim, or chinos.

It’s also great to see that Ivy Ellis has created its own baseball-style logo on the sleeve—the I stacked over the E. It reminds me of classic team lettering like the New York Mets. (Biased, I know, but go Mets.)

This hoodie marks a new direction for Ivy Ellis. Their socks have always been fantastic, but now it’s clear they’ve got the potential to do more. Could we see sweatshirts? Baseball caps? I really hope so. It feels like the start of something promising, and I’m excited to see where they take it next.

The hoodie will be available this autumn, and I reckon it’s well worth keeping an eye out for. You can check them out at ivy-ellis.co.uk or give them a follow over on Instagram at @ivy_ellis_socks.