I don't like the cold. No, I really do not like the cold. From the months of November to March, you'll usually find me buried under a blanket, clutching a hot cup of coffee and, of course, wearing my warmest, coziest clothing. So when I say I take my sweatshirt game seriously, please know that I mean it.
That said, I may have found the perfect layering piece for the person who is always trying to run up your gas bill. (I'm not sorry.)
Dokotoo Casual Oversized Half Zip Sweatshirt
- Extremely warm
- Roomy pocket
- Stiff material
Colors: 12 | Sizes: S-XXL | Fabric: 50% polyester, 50% cotton
Why I tried the Dokotoo Half-Zip Sweatshirt
My aversion to the cold is worth sharing again, but yes, I just want to wear anything that will keep me from shivering at any point throughout my day. That, and the brand's promise that this top is lightweight and feels soft on the skin, was enough to convince me it was worth trying.
I also love an easy layer that I can throw on in a pinch when I need to hustle out the door. It looks like this sweatshirt can pair well with anything, from leggings to jeans and a pair of sneakers. You really can't go wrong with a casual and versatile winter piece in my book.
Why I like the Dokotoo Half-Zip Sweatshirt
The material is toasty
I tried on my Dokotoo Sweatshirt for the first time at my desk, after a difficult commute. It's important to mention because my trains had me running late for work and in my rush to get to the office, I had become a little sweaty from the speed walking. Putting this top on the moment I sat down was a mistake. I was piping for another hour before my body temperature finally evened out. While that was a pretty uncomfortable time, the experience made it easy to imagine how quickly the sweatshirt would warm me up when I actually needed it to.
The collar is also pretty substantial compared to other sweatshirts I own. It's less floppy and stays put around the neck, especially when the zipper is pulled all the way up. I'm not one to turn away extra protection from dipping temps and wind chills, so this is a major plus.
This is how all pockets should function
I normally have a love-hate relationship with front pockets on sweatshirts. They're simply unreliable, and I always think that if left unattended by a hand for too long, whatever I stash in there is going to fall out. But not with this Dokotoo piece; both entrances are reinforced with a thick, ribbed material and are placed higher up on the sweatshirt. This allows your phone, wallet, lip balm, or whatever you're storing in there to fall well below the side openings. It's a small detail, but the mental reassurance it provides is not lost on me.
That same ribbing can be found on the shockingly long sleeve cuffs. It's not my favorite style feature, but they act as a second defense against the cold when paired under gloves.
What to consider
The fabric and color don't match the photo
I was looking forward to feeling the silky smooth-looking fabric that is shown in the product photo. However, what came out of the box (or, Amazon bag) was something more stiff and a little more wrinkled. I wouldn't say the material isn't up to snuff quality-wise, but it's definitely not as sleek as the website imagery suggests.
I'm also confused by how off the colors appear in comparison to the website. The "purple" shade is much lighter and pinkier in person. I didn't do the ordering for the other color, so I'm not sure if it's supposed to be grey or white, but what I ended up with looks like a mix between the two. So, I wouldn't get too attached to shade preferences.
It's not my most fashionable piece
In all honestly, I consider this sweatshirt more of a functional item in my winter wardrobe, not fashionable. I love an oversized sweatshirt, but the fit felt and looked awkward on my body. The bottom hem is extremely ill-fitting, and I'd go as far as saying it's not even needed. If the brand just cut the extra fabric below the pocket off, I think it would look a lot cuter. Therefore, I'll be using it more as a lounging and errand-running piece. Nothing wrong with that!
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Danielle Murphy is a Shop TODAY writer covering a wide range of topics from, fashion to makeup must-haves to hair tools.
