Free People vs. Amazon: The famous striped crew neck sweatshirts compared

I have talked a lot about this sweatshirt on our social media channels. It is probably my perfect crew neck. The body is oversized, long and yet light It’s boxy, has a dramatic length and casual sleeves, and is lightweight—which is why it hangs front and center in my closet every season.

But then I found this. A seemingly identical version of the sweatshirt on Amazon (which has since gone viral like crazy) for a third of the price.

Free People Classic Striped Oversized Crew Neck (S) | Amazon Striped Sweatshirt (L)

People on social media are quick to claim that Amazon clothing is “just as good” as the original pieces they are inspired by, and I if everagree. Nevertheless… I had to compare. This was ultimately my favorite and most frequently worn crew neck sweater.

Classic Striped Oversized Crewneck by Free People vs. Striped Sweatshirt by Amazon: Which is better?

I’m not going to keep you waiting here. I can tell you right now that the striped sweatshirt from Amazon is good. It’s even worth buying a few colors if you’re into that kind of “find something good and wear it over and over again” approach. It gives you the same concept like the round neck from Free People, but is cheaper.

However, there are some key differences that I would like to discuss in more detail.

Crew neck (S) | Shorts (28) | Shoes

Free People is famous for its oversized silhouettes. Their Classic Striped Oversized Crewneck is so big that I’m practically swimming in a size small (I usually wear a size medium-large), but Amazon’s sweatshirt has a more classic fit. While that’s a drawback for me, I recognize that this is largely seen as positive for many people who find Free People sizes frustratingly large.

Amazon (L) | Free People (S) | Shorts (28) | Shoes

The Amazon crew neck is really the classic cut when it comes to sweatshirts. The sleeves reach my wrists and the body feels longer, not boxier. I wear my usual size L and it’s still more form-fitting than my size S Free People sweatshirt.

Another big difference is the hem of the two sweatshirts.

Free People (S) | Amazon (L)

The wrist and waist cuffs And The neckline of the Free People crew neck is made of the same lightweight material and is sewn seamlessly into the main body of the sweatshirt.

Amazon’s crew neck, on the other hand, uses a stretchy athletic elastic and has the same sections sewn together somewhat randomly, creating a tighter seam where the pieces come together. This results in a bunching or gathered effect, if you will, which is not badbut overall it definitely gives a different appearance.

Crew Neck (L) | Shorts (28) | Shoes

The materials used feel completely different. The sweatshirt from Free People is made of 80% ribbed cotton and feels like light terry cloth – it is perfect for a comfortable beach lifestyle.

Free People (S) | Amazon (L) | Shorts (28)

Although Amazon is notorious for not communicating fabric types clearly, I would guess that their sweatshirt is a blend of cotton and spandex (with some polyester perhaps?). Their thicker, stretchier, silkier (dh: not ribbed) Crew neck feels more like a sporty sweatshirt that sports brands promote as a warm-up/cool-down layer.

Round neck (S)

Both sweatshirts are quite sensitive when washing.

While I light my Free People sweatshirt shrank (mostly due to it losing some length – before it hung longer over my bum) when I accidentally threw it in the dryer. It washed perfectly without shrinking the first dozen or so times I washed it on cold water and hung it to dry.

I also have a second color that I not made the dryer mistake and it kept its original shape.

Round neck (L) | Shorts (28)

I’m careful not to tumble dry the Amazon version, although there are several reports that it shrinks. A cold water and gentle cycle and hanging to dry worked great for both sweatshirts.

Crew neck (S) | Shorts (28) | Shoes

And as for me, I prefer the Free People crew neck without hesitation.

The weight, feel and silhouette fit my personal style better. But it Is about 100 dollars and it is not a 100% natural material (ugh). For that reason, I’d say the piece from Amazon is a wonderful, affordable option to try, and even a real win if you’re looking for this style in a clearer size.

Xx,
Amy

Let’s be friends on Instagram! We share life in a California beach town, our daily style and beauty favorites, and never-ending Taylor Swift dance marathons… all with a good dose of adorable toddler content.