The hoodie. Has any garment advanced further over the past two decades? From being mean by the press in the early 2000s to splashing the front row of fashion week in the mid to late 2010s, this simple sweater has gone from being the mainstay of a moody teenager to an haute couture hero in less time than most of you reading this has been alive.

With the help of the widespread adoption of sportswear, the rise of sports leisure, and the cross-pollination of high fashion and streetwear, what was once uniform for muggers and misfit teens are now fair game in most offices.

If you don't have at least one right now, you're a little late for the party. Still, with the hoodie increasing popularity and widespread acceptance, it's never too late to get involved. Here we take a closer look at the brands that do it best and delve into the most unlikely classic of modern menswear.

The Modern-Day Hoodie

Today's hoodie is still definitely casual wear. It is by no means formal and, unlike a sweatshirt, it is difficult to even dress under a sports jacket. But there are degrees - at one extreme is the sloppy, slightly oversized, faded, patterned hoodie that's fine for sleeping on the couch or hitting the pub on a Sunday. At the other end is the plain, dark, fitted hoodie, which is stylish and presentable.

This doesn't mean that you should start wearing a hoodie over a dress shirt or dress pants (think dark jeans or chinos instead). But it does mean there is scope for the hoodie to at least take a step towards respectability.

As with so many things, the more attention is paid to quality (the best hoodies for men come in a heavy cotton weave, with reverse weave and a looping manufacturer that helps raise the bar), the more potential it has. the garment for elegance. But that's not really what the hoodie is about. If the bodysuit is, to be blunt, something no man should be seen alive or dead, the hoodie is the best option to feel wrapped up. It is the safety blanket of the menswear world and should be valued as such.

The best brands of men's hoodies

Want to add this versatile essential to your casual arsenal? Below you'll find labels worth considering when it comes to high-quality hoodies, each revered for different reasons.

The Original: Champion Reverse Weave

Where better to start than with the inventor of the style? Sportswear brand Heritage Champion has been making official uniforms for American national teams and professional sports clubs for generations, so they know a thing or two about producing hoodies that look good and work. Its proprietary reverse weave cotton is also durable and helps reduce shrinkage, so you can be sure your hoodie will look good for years to come.

Great value - one day in March

If you are looking for a high-quality minimalist hoodie that you can wear every day, look no further. Being a direct-to-consumer label, A Day’s March cuts out the middlemen, which means you get a higher-end product at an affordable price.

The Swedish brand's hoodies are available in six classic colourways and are made in Portugal with thick, comfortable fleece-lined fabric that is designed to fit and mould to your body with everyday wear. A true wardrobe essential that offers excellent value for money.

British quality: Sunspel

British brand Sunspel is famous for its premium take on wardrobe essentials, and their range of sweatshirts lives up to this reputation. Their hoodies are made from high-quality loopback cotton to ensure longevity and breathability, and they come in a range of neutral colour-block designs that will match everything in your existing wardrobe.

Sports Luxe: Reigning Champion

A by-product of the rise of sports luxury and athletics, Canadian brand Reigning Champ specializes in premium sportswear. Made from high-quality materials that they design and develop in-house, with an emphasis on rugged construction and unmatched comfort, this is sophisticated sportswear that is designed to be worn both in and out of the gym.

Cred Street: Stussy

Streetwear has become big business and the last few years with everyone from high street to upscale designers plundering skate culture for design inspiration. So if you want to get into the trend in an authentic way, check out one of the original providers and advocates of the scene: Stussy. Created by its eponymous founder, Shaun, in 1980, expect rugged hoodies that stand up to everyday wear and come with a healthy dose of street cred.