How to Style a Crewneck Without Looking Like You Just Rolled Out of Bed

If I open my camera roll right now, it’s 50% screenshots of crewneck sweatshirt inspo and 50% pictures of my dog. Let’s face it, a custom crewneck is basically the best clothing staple ever (especially for college and Greek life). 

But there’s a huge difference between throwing on a stale, old sweatshirt because you have nothing else to wear, and actually styling it.

Unlike stiff t-shirts or specific event tanks, a high-quality college sorority crewneck (think a Comfort Colors crewneck sweatshirt or heavy fleece) has a higher "re-wear value." You can layer them for cold football games, throw them over a bikini for Spring Break, or dress them up for a cute dinner. 

And let’s be honest, you’re going to be getting a good amount of custom college crewnecks from your chapter or club. The best thing to learn is how to use them even when you’re not at a meeting or event. So here’s how you can take your custom crewneck sweatshirts and turn them into full outfits.

5 Ways to Style Your Crewneck Sweatshirts

We grabbed five specific looks that are trending right now to show you exactly how to style a crewneck sweatshirt:

1. The "Preppy But Baddie” Layered Look

(Best for: Class presentations, library study dates, and shopping during the winter)

How to style it: Take any grey oversized crewneck sweatshirt, like our Denver Mockneck, and layer a crisp white turtleneck underneath. Ditch the leggings for this one (if you can) then pair it with a structured black mini skirt and tall black boots.

The turtleneck makes everything more chic. If you aren't feeling grey, a solid black crewneck works perfectly here too. Add a burgundy shoulder bag for a pop of color.

2. The "Off-Duty" Ringer Set

(Best for: Travel days, airports, and coffee runs)

How to style it: Use a ringer crewneck (the kind with the contrasting striped collar and cuffs, like our Varsity Crewneck). This is the ultimate retro crewneck sweatshirt vibe. Pair it with matching biker shorts and chunky dad sneakers.

The ringer detail does the heavy lifting and makes the entire fit like a vintage thrift find. Then, play with the bag choice. Choose a small gym bag for a sporty look or use a more structured purse to keep things classy. Add a pair of sunglasses and you’ll look like you’re heading somewhere important (even if it’s just to get a matcha oat latte).

3. The Cheetah Girl

(Best for: Running errands with your sisters or a cozy day-in)

How to style it: If you have a crewneck sweatshirt with a solid base color, like a bold red, don't play it safe the bottoms! Go for patterned pants that complement the color—like leopard print or cheetah print.

And if you don’t like printed bottoms but still love animal prints, check out our Leopard Mockneck Sweatshirt from our Spotted Collection!

Leopard and cheetah prints are basically neutrals now. The warm tones in the animal print make the red pop. Finish with matching sneakers (Gazelles or Sambas are perfect here) and your fav jewelry stack.

4. The Cozy and Coordinated

(Best for: Movie nights and casual hangs)

How to style it: This one’s all about color coordination. Choose a neutral custom crewneck that has one contrast color (whether it’s in your sorority name or a contrast V insert like our Retro Crewneck). Then depending on the contrast color, pair your sweatshirt with a denim mini skirt or patterned shorts in the same accent color (think gingham, plaid, or stripes).

Add sunglasses or a simple necklace then throw on some UGG-style slippers or sporty low-rise shoes to match. Your bag and accessories should also be in the same accent color.

5. The Satin Dinner Fit

(Best for: Date nights, banquets, or elevated chapter nights)

How to style it: Grab a dark colored crewneck - ideally it has a minimalist design like this for Alpha Gam. Then contrast the heavy fabric of your cute crewneck with a flowy, ivory satin midi skirt.

Accessorize: This look relies on the details. You need gold or silver hoops, a pendant necklace, and heeled ankle boots. Then add a classic purse to tie the whole thing together. Best believe you can be comfy and dressy at the exact same time.

Now that you have 5 new outfits for inspo, y’all better make use of them!! And if seeing all the cute crewnecks above made you think, “hmmm, we kinda need better crewneck sweatshirts now,” we honestly can’t blame you!

Here’s everything you need to know on how to create the best customized sweatshirts with Fresh Prints:

How to make custom crewnecks (and how much they cost)

Ordering matching sorority crewnecks online is easier than you think—especially with a design tool made for campus groups. Here's how to get started:

Step 1: Choose Your Crewneck

Browse our product gallery to see trending styles: standard crewnecks, oversized crews, camo, retro crewnecks, mocknecks, and even leopard print. Pick the one that fits your chapter’s vibe or upcoming event.

Step 2: Customize Your Design

Open your crewneck in the Design Tool. There you can:

• Browse 10,000+ pre-made designs by org, event, or style
• Use the search bar for ideas (e.g. "lucky clover," "retro Y2K")
• Change fonts, colors, and swap out design elements
• Add sleeve or back prints

Using a Fresh Prints Exclusive? You’ll get more color options too.

And if you get designer’s block, you can use the built-in Image AI feature—just describe your idea, upload a reference image, and it’ll generate a design that fits your style. You can fully edit it in the Design Tool afterward.

Step 3: Final Touches + Help If You Need It

Want something more specific? Our Art Team also offers unlimited free mockups and revisions. Just click the "Need Help?" button while you’re on the Design Tool.

Step 4: Order Online

Once your design is ready, add it to cart. Double-check sizes, quantities, and your shipping info. Then check out, and you’re done!

How Much Do Custom Crewnecks Cost? 

Prices vary depending on brand, style, print type, and decoration method. But here are the typical price ranges for the best brands to order custom crewnecks from:

• Fresh Prints: $41-70
• Comfort Colors: $38-60
• Independent Trading Co.: $28-65
• Los Angeles Apparel: $24-74
• Jerzees: $18-29

Minimum order quantities typically range from 12 to 50 pieces depending on the brand and specific product. Overall, you can save more by ordering in bulk for events like retreats, Philanthropy, and general merch.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to style a crewneck sweatshirt so it doesn’t look sloppy?

Focus on balance: if you have an oversized crewneck that’s big and slouchy, pair it with slimmer bottoms (leggings, bike shorts). If your bottoms are wide-leg or super baggy, try a cropped crewneck sweatshirt or a crew tucked into the front so you still have a defined shape.

What’s the best color for a sorority crewneck?

Neutrals like black, cream, and heather grey are the most wearable, but earth tones (mocha, forest, sage, even camo) are also popular for college crewnecks. If you’re unsure, pick one neutral option and try a more colorful option later on.

Are custom crewneck sweatshirts worth it?

Totally! You can get quality custom crewneck sweatshirts at reasonable prices, if you work with reliable merch companies like Fresh Prints. Having a go-to crewneck is part of the college experience, and you’ll be able to carry so many memories with it even after you graduate! 

Can I reuse any of the designs above across other customized sweatshirts and merch?

Yes! All the designs shown are available on the Fresh Prints Design Gallery. Even if it has the name of another chapter or club, you can open it in our Design Tool and customize it to make it yours. 

If you have a design that you like you can place it on different products as well like tees, hoodies, quarter-zips, and even tote bags or hats. 

Ready to Design Your Own Matching Custom Crewnecks?

If you are tired of wearing the same old boring outfits, it’s time to switch it up. Whether you want to be preppy or bold, knowing how to style a single sweatshirt can make all the difference.

And if you want to add better crewnecks to your chapter or club’s rotation, Fresh Prints can help make it happen. Head to the Design Tool or send us your inspo to get a free mockup in just a couple of hours!