GSM means grams per square metre. It tells you how much a fabric weighs over a fixed area, which makes it useful when comparing hoodies. What it cannot tell you is how the whole garment will feel, fit or hold up.
A high number can be appealing if you like a substantial hoodie. But the cotton, knit and cut deserve just as much attention.
Reading the number
Take a fabric labelled 465 GSM. One square metre of it weighs 465 grams. The finished hoodie will weigh something else: its size, hood, pockets and trims all contribute to the total. Here, 465 GSM is an example, not a confirmed specification for the Gothique hoodie.
Two hoodies made from the same fabric can have different total weights simply because they use different amounts of it.
What makes a hoodie heavyweight?
Brands use “heavyweight” differently; there is no single GSM cut-off behind the term. A listed fabric weight gives you something more concrete to compare.
Among similar cotton knits, a higher GSM means more mass in the same area. How that feels still comes down to the yarn, knitting and finishing. Heavy fabric can be soft and yielding or firm enough to hold a broad shape.
Heavier is a preference, not a quality score
A substantial hoodie might be exactly what you want as a standalone layer. Under a fitted jacket, a lighter one may work better. Neither choice says much about the quality of the seams, ribbing or yarn.
Start with how you plan to wear it. Then look at the construction rather than treating the biggest number as the best option.
French terry and fleece describe something else
French terry usually has loops on the inside. Sweatshirt fleece usually has a brushed, fuzzy surface. Those names describe construction; GSM describes weight.
Both can be made at different weights and with different fibre blends. An interior photograph or a clear fabric description will tell you more about the surface than an exterior shot can.
Will it be warmer?
More fabric mass can contribute to warmth when other features are similar, but GSM is not a temperature rating. A brushed interior, knit density, fit and the layers around the hoodie all play a part. Wind changes the equation too.
Look at the silhouette
Weight affects drape, while the pattern sets the shape. Check the shoulder, body length and sleeve volume. Look at how the ribbing draws in the hem and cuffs.
Before choosing a size, compare the measurements with a hoodie you like wearing. A fabric-weight number cannot tell you where the hem will sit.
Before you buy
- Read the fibre percentages.
- Look for an interior view or a description of the knit.
- Check the listed GSM. If it is missing, ask rather than guessing from a photograph.
- Compare garment measurements.
- Make sure the care instructions work with your routine.
The Gothique hoodie
The Gothique Heavyweight Cotton Hoodie in Jet Black combines 100% cotton with a relaxed, drop-shoulder silhouette and an oversized fit. A kangaroo pocket, double-lined hood and heavyweight ribbing complete the construction.
To care for it, wash inside out on a cold, gentle cycle, then hang or lay flat to dry. Skip the tumble dryer.
Choose the garment, not just the number
GSM is a useful starting point. Finish the comparison with fabric construction, fit and care, and choose the combination you actually want to wear.
Browse the MAISON MENACE hoodies collection for each style's details.
