The Stio Sweetwater Fleece Hoody  stands out in the sweater fleece crowd for its flattering, feminine style.

The Stio Sweetwater Fleece Hoody is so stylish; it is the first hoody that I have worn when I wanted a more elevated, dressed-up look. Usually, a hood is equated with casual style. Not so with this one.

The most unique and eye-catching detail of the hoody is its wide neckline and unique hood that slightly crosses over in the front like a kimono collar. It’s a small detail, but a beautiful one.

Sweater fleece is fairly common to find and is a cold weather staple for many companies, including Patagonia and LL Bean. What makes the Stio Sweetwater Fleece Hoody so special is that no other company offers a hoody in such a unique design.

In addition to the flattering neckline, the fitted Stio Sweetwater Fleece Hoody has princess seam lines for a tailored fit, a drop tail hem, and a ruched collar with a contrast zipper at the neck.

The elongated tunic length has minimal bulk that gives it a dressier appearance. It pairs well with both leggings and pants.

Unfortunately, the sleeves were too long for me, but the top isn’t available in petite sizes.

In the mountain town where I live, things are very casual. We wear clothes for function, not fashion. I love how the Stio Sweetwater Fleece Hoody is casual enough for mountain culture, but its design makes it stylish and appropriate for nicer occasions.

Cozy Warmth

Constructed from Recycled Lofton™ fleece, the Stio Sweetwater Fleece Hoody features a sweater knit face and brushed fleece interior for maximum warmth. Thumbholes and hoody provide extra coverage from elements as needed.

In the past, one of the criticisms of the Stio Sweetwater Fleece Hoody was that it felt itchy and was not very soft (in fact, I tried one several years ago and returned it because it was so uncomfortable).

Stio must have listened to the feedback, because this season’s Sweetwater Fleece Hoody is soft and comparable to the coziness of other sweater fleece options available. I’m definitely glad I decided to give it another chance after all these years!

Despite the slim cut, it is not constrictive (also an improvement from earlier versions) and it could be worn underneath an outer layer with no issue. I hated to cover it up though- it was so cute!

Also, the dropped hem provided extra warmth and coverage, which was much appreciated when I was wearing leggings!

Other features:

• Anti-pilling treatment

• Thumbholes for easy layering

• Flatlock seams for maximizing comfort

• Fixed hood with elastic binding at opening

• Kangaroo pouch on hand pocket

• Embroidered pinecone logo

• Hydrophobic qualities shed moisture

• Bluesign® approved textile

Because the Stio Sweetwater Fleece Hoody is a trim fit, I recommend wearing a size up.

The Stio Sweetwater Fleece Hoody is available in seven sizes (XXS to XXL) and eight colors.

It’s a great addition to a winter wardrobe if you like the look and feel of sweater fleece and want something stylish and fitted.