ADSUM started as a side project in Brooklyn in 2015. Early on, a store in Japan became its first wholesale account. That account made founder Pete Macnee think he might as well build a brand, he told Gramicci.
This fall ADSUM sent me its Core Crewneck in grey at no cost. It arrived October 5. I have worn it four times and washed it twice.
The short version: it fits the way I expected, and it is very comfortable. After two washes it has not shrunk or faded. I give it 5 out of 5.
The verdict
The Core Crewneck is a heavy, plain cotton sweatshirt with no logo on the front. To me it is understated, the way a classic crew sweatshirt should be.
Buy it if you want one good grey sweatshirt for jeans, chinos and a chore coat. Skip it if you want a slim fit or a light layer. ADSUM calls the fit relaxed, and the fleece is heavy.
What ADSUM is
ADSUM is a menswear brand founded in Brooklyn in 2015. It makes clothes inspired by the cities and countryside of the American Northeast, per its about page.
Macnee grew up in Toronto playing soccer, rugby, tennis and hockey. Sports and the outdoors are the two constants in ADSUM, he told Gramicci in 2023.
He also said ADSUM might start out wanting the heaviest sweatshirt, then land on something more wearable in development. The name is Latin for “I am present,” per Dictionary.com.
Fabric and label
The Core Crewneck is 100% cotton brushed fleece at 430 GSM, per ADSUM’s product page. That is about 12.7 ounces per square yard, a heavy fleece. ADSUM says it sits between a heavyweight sweatshirt and a winter layer.
The inside is brushed soft. The outside is dense, so it drapes instead of hanging limp, per the brand. Here is what else the product page lists:
- Rib knit collar, cuffs and waistband.
- Set-in sleeves with a regular shoulder line.
- A wide rib panel down each side, borrowed from vintage collegiate sweatshirts.
- Coverstitching over the collar, waist and shoulder seams to strengthen them.
- Heather grey knit from pre-twisted yarn in several grey tones.
- Made in Portugal at a vertical production partner.
The fleece is all cotton. That is the kind of label our natural fiber guide looks for.
Fit and sizing
ADSUM calls the fit relaxed and true to size. It is true to size on me, and it fits the way I expected.
Sizes run small to extra large. Here is ADSUM’s size chart, in inches:
| Size | Length | Shoulder | Chest around | Sleeve |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | 26 | 19 1/2 | 41 | 23 3/4 |
| M | 27 | 21 | 45 | 24 1/4 |
| L | 28 | 22 | 48 | 24 3/4 |
| XL | 29 1/4 | 23 | 51 | 25 1/4 |
Lay a sweatshirt you already like flat and compare before you order. Returns carry a $5 restocking fee, so it pays to get the size right the first time.
How it held up
I have worn it four times and washed it twice. I wash it cold and let it air dry.
It has not shrunk, and the color has not faded. It is very comfortable. ADSUM says the cotton softens further with every wash.
How to wear it
A grey crewneck works with almost everything in a casual closet. Start with dark jeans or chinos and canvas sneakers.
When it turns cold, wear it under a chore coat or an open overshirt. Let a white tee show at the collar if you like a cleaner line.
Price, colors and returns
The Core Crewneck is $165 on ADSUM’s site. It comes in Heather Grey and Navy, sizes S to XL. Every size was in stock in both colors on November 11, 2026. ADSUM also makes a Core Hoodie for $185.
Returns and exchanges are open for 14 days after the order arrives. The piece must be unworn, with tags on. Refunds exclude shipping and carry a $5 restocking fee, per ADSUM’s shipping and returns page. Archive sale items are final sale.
Shop the Core Crewneck at ADSUM
Frequently asked questions
Is ADSUM good quality?
Based on my Core Crewneck, yes. It is 100% cotton fleece at 430 GSM with coverstitched seams, made in Portugal, per ADSUM. After four wears and two cold washes, it has not shrunk or faded.
How does ADSUM fit?
True to size for me. ADSUM calls the Core Crewneck a relaxed fit. A medium measures 45 inches around the chest and 27 inches long on its size chart.
Does the ADSUM Core Crewneck shrink?
Mine has not. I washed it cold twice and air dried it, and it kept its size and color. ADSUM says the cotton softens with every wash.
Where is ADSUM made?
ADSUM is based in Brooklyn. The Core Crewneck is made in Portugal at a vertical production partner, per its product page.
What does adsum mean?
Adsum is Latin for “I am present,” per Dictionary.com.
Price, sizes and stock as shown on ADSUM’s site on November 11, 2026.
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