A heavyweight crewneck sweatshirt, 500 gsm.

Look for a heavyweight crewneck sweatshirt, 500 gsm, and the number does most of the talking. It tells you how heavy the fabric is. This piece explains it, using one crew. It is the Verified. Heavy Crew.

First, what the number means. Then, how this crew is made and how it fits.

What gsm means.

Gsm stands for grams per square metre. Take one square metre of the fabric and weigh it. That weight in grams is the gsm.

A higher number means more fabric in the same space. The cloth is thicker and denser. It hangs straighter and holds its shape.

Some shops use ounces instead. They give ounces per square yard. 500 gsm is the same as 15 oz per square yard.

Heavy is a choice, not a score. A heavy crew feels solid and keeps its shape. A lighter one is easier to layer and to move in.

Gsm does not tell you everything. Two fabrics at the same weight can feel very different. The yarn, the knit and the finish all play a part. But it is a good first clue.

Here is how the weights compare across the line.

• Verified. Tee, 240 gsm organic cotton.
• Verified. Hoodie, 339 gsm fleece.
• Word of Mouth. Crew, 350 gsm organic fleece.
• Verified. Heavy Crew, 500 gsm brushed fleece.

A heavyweight crewneck sweatshirt, 500 gsm.

The Verified. Heavy Crew weighs 500 gsm. That makes it the heaviest sweatshirt in the line.

The fabric is 80% organic cotton and 20% recycled polyester. The cotton is combed and ring-spun. It is knitted as a 3-end fleece, which means three yarns are knitted together. That builds a thick cloth.

The outside face is 100% organic cotton. The inside is brushed, so it feels soft.

The rib at the collar, the cuffs and the hem is 100% cotton. It has no elastane. The hem, the cuffs and the armholes have twin-needle stitching.

The verified. mark is embroidered on the centre chest. It is 100 mm wide. The thread is tonal, close to the Stone colour of the crew.

How it fits.

The Heavy Crew has a relaxed fit with a sculpted shape. It is heavy and roomy. Take your usual size.

It comes in sizes XS to 3XL. The full chart is in the size guide. Lay a sweatshirt you own flat and compare the two.

To care for it, wash it cold and inside out. Dry it flat or hang it, so it keeps its shape. Fleece gets softer with every wash.

How it compares.

For something lighter, look at the Word of Mouth. Crew. It weighs 350 gsm. It is organic fleece in French Navy, with Word of mouth. stitched high on the chest. It has a relaxed fit too.

The Heavy Crew is 150 gsm heavier. You feel that the moment you pick it up.

The Word of Mouth. Crew also has a label on the inside. The Heavy Crew keeps its words to the one mark on the chest.

To match the crews below the waist, there are the Verified. Sweatpants. They are garment-dyed cotton, with a small verified. at the left hip.

You can see all of them in the sweats collection.

Questions.

What does 3-end fleece mean?

Three yarns are knitted together into one thick cloth. On the Heavy Crew, the outside face is organic cotton and the inside is brushed soft.

Is 15 oz the same as 500 gsm?

Yes. The Heavy Crew is listed as 15 oz per square yard, which is 500 grams per square metre.

How do I wash a heavy fleece crew?

Wash it cold, inside out. Dry it flat or hang it, so it keeps its shape. Do not iron over the embroidery.

Does it run big?

It is roomy, but cut that way on purpose. Take your usual size.