It’s a piece long-associated with gym wear, but a number of brands including Loro Piana and Massimo Alba have given this old friend a luxe makeover.

When worn in public the sweatshirt is traditionally accompanied by excuses. “I just needed to run out and get some milk,” you might say, bumping into a friend in head-to-toe grey marl on a Sunday morning. “I’ve got football at seven,” you might improvise when caught mid-week. “Wow, that was an intense work-out,” you might lie, at any point. This winter, however, the garment has matured and gentrified. The current sweatshirt-like offerings available on MR PORTER (a pedantic NB: they are only sweatshirt-like because they omit a key sweatshirt element, fleece cotton), are adaptable, high-end pieces that will suit many an occasion. Mixing visual cues from the high-school gym with cashmere and Merino wool, they strike a fine balance between style and comfort – perfect for a day that begins running errands and ends at a restaurant.

As well as keeping the authentic look of a sweatshirt, with its contrasting bands at the collar and wrists, this blue cashmere piece cunningly replicates the feel of cotton fleece with its pleasing waffle knit texture. The real upgrade, however is in warmth and softness – Italian brand Doriani is an expert in cashmere, selecting only the finest fibres for its Italian-made pieces.

There’s a cluster of New York designers currently carving out a place for sportswear in the evening. Todd Snyder is one of the best, as demonstrated by this cashmere sweatshirt, which marries a classic varsity shape with a sober, suit-like palette of monochrome charcoal. File next to (and wear with) similar sophisticated sports offerings from the likes of Public School and Alexander Wang.

Milan’s Mr Massimo Alba has a microscopic eye for the finer details, many of which can be observed in this deceptively simple-looking sweatshirt. First there’s the incredibly fine cashmere of the fabric, which keeps the garment light and flattering. Then there’s the vivid colour, which is hand-dyed and will weather beautifully as it is worn. All in all, it’s a thesis in cobalt blue – you’ll be hard pressed to find a sweatshirt that has been so thoroughly considered from every angle.

In the UK, the word “hoodie” has come to be equanimous with violent adolescents that haunt street corners and shopping malls. In the US, of course, they are standard issue for tech moguls and other aspiring billionaires. This cosy hooded sweatshirt in cashmere from Club Monaco stylishly bucks both associations. Though it probably shouldn’t come with you to dinner it’s an eminently layer-able piece for a day in the city, which will help you look sharp and keep warm. Wearing under a topcoat with the hood poking out is entirely acceptable, and will do away with the need for a scarf to boot.

Loro Piana’s heritage is in producing fine fabrics. Looking through its product catalogue, it’s difficult to find pieces that aren’t made from silk, cashmere or merino wool – a policy that extends to even the most casual and lounge-ready products. This cashmere and silk hooded sweatshirt with contrast reglan sleeves is a case in point, providing the ultimate in softness for a day at home or a long-haul journey in the G-5.

Grey is the standard-issue sweatshirt colour, bringing to mind military training and the prison rec yard, among other things. However, there’s nothing ordinary about this reworking of the archetype by Savile Row brand Richard James, which imitates the minute colour variations of the cotton marl classic by mixing white and charcoal threads in its knitted cashmere fabric. Though it features a varsity collar and contrast cuffs, it fits more like a classic cashmere sweater, making it a sleek option both for a casual encounter and a knit-heavy Christmas dinner.