Quick answer
- Forty-Six Ten makes stitched patchwork hoodies, and wherever you shop, look for stitched lettering, a listed GSM, a color you love and a short message.
- Stitched lettering is cut from fabric and sewn down, so it has texture, depth and no print to crack in the wash.
- The Jesus Saves hoodie is 320 GSM fleece in a 50% cotton, 50% polyester blend, and comes in nine colors.
If you have ever searched for a Christian hoodie and closed the tab, I get it. A lot of faith apparel looks like a church youth group shirt from 2006. Clip art crosses, puns on brand logos, a stiff print that cracks after three washes, and so many words you need a minute to read the whole thing.
I started Forty-Six Ten in 2022 to share faith in Jesus in public and start conversations, and that only works if people want to wear the clothes. Here is what I have learned about what makes faith apparel look good, so you can judge anything you find, ours included.
1. Stitched lettering looks better than a print
The biggest difference between a hoodie that looks cheap and one that looks premium is how the words get on it. A lot of faith apparel is screen printed or heat pressed. That is fine for a tee, but on a heavy hoodie a big print can feel like plastic, and over time it can crack or peel.
Stitched lettering (also called applique or patchwork) is cut from fabric and sewn down. It has texture and depth, it moves with the hoodie, and the edges soften a little with each wash. On our Jesus Saves Patchwork Hoodie the letters are cut from cotton and stitched on. Stitched, not printed. There is no print to crack in the wash.
Embroidery is the other premium option. Our What a Friend Embroidered Hoodie has WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS embroidered tone on tone across the chest of a dark gray heavyweight hoodie. It is quiet from a distance and clear up close, which is perfect for someone who wants something subtle.
2. Heavyweight fabric changes everything
A thin hoodie looks thin, no matter what is on it. Look for the fabric weight, usually listed in GSM (grams per square meter). Higher means heavier. Our Jesus Saves hoodie, the Jesus Saves Patchwork Zip-Up, and the Even The Stars Bow Down Hoodie are all 320 GSM fleece.
One thing I want to be upfront about: those three are a 50% cotton, 50% polyester blend. That is on purpose. The blend keeps them soft and helps them hold their shape instead of stretching out over time. The stitched lettering on them is 100% cotton, and the Jesus Saves hoodie and zip-up are pre-shrunk. If you want 100% cotton, our Jesus Loves You Patchwork Hoodie is 100% cotton with a stitched applique.
3. Color makes it feel like real clothing
Color is what makes a faith hoodie feel like something you would buy at any good streetwear shop. The Jesus Saves hoodie comes in nine colors: Royal Blue, Brown, Yellow, Pink, Red, Light Blue, Navy, Lavender, and Green. Some colors carry a different message (Red and Lavender say JESUS HEALS, Navy says BE STILL AND KNOW, Light Blue says JESUS LOVES YOU, Green says AMAZING GRACE).
Pick a color you would wear even if it had nothing written on it. If you love the color, you will reach for it.
4. Fit matters more than the design
Most good hoodies right now are slightly oversized and unisex. Our patchwork hoodies are cut that way. On the Jesus Saves hoodie, 93% of 199 reviewers said it fit true to size or roomy, so you can order the size you normally wear. The most ordered size for people between 5'3" and 5'11" was L.
5. Keep the message short
The best faith clothing usually says one clear thing. JESUS SAVES. BE STILL AND KNOW. EVEN THE STARS BOW DOWN. Short words in big letters read from across a room. The verse can live on the back or the sleeve. I wrote about this idea in being a walking billboard.
A quick checklist when you shop
- Lettering. Stitched or embroidered? Or a print that could crack?
- Weight. Does the listing give a GSM? Heavier fleece looks and feels better.
- Fit info. Do they show what size real people ordered at their height?
- Ship dates. Can you see when your size ships before you pay?
- Returns. Is there a clear window and a clear process?
My picks
For your first one: the Jesus Saves Patchwork Hoodie. Nine colors, five messages, stitched cotton letters.
For layering: the Jesus Saves Patchwork Zip-Up. Same stitched lettering, easier to throw over anything. See all of them in zip-ups.
For something different: the Even The Stars Bow Down Hoodie.
For subtle: the What a Friend Embroidered Hoodie.
You can see everything in our hoodies collection. We make most of these in batches, so each size shows its ship date before you pay. And 10% of our year-end profits go to mental health organizations, which is a big part of why we started. If you are still wondering whether wearing your faith is a good idea at all, read is it okay to wear Christian clothing.
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
Matthew 5:16 (KJV)
Questions people ask
Where can I buy Christian hoodies that look good?
Look for stitched or embroidered lettering, a heavyweight fabric with a listed GSM, colors you would wear anyway, and a slightly oversized fit. Our patchwork hoodies are built around those four things.
What is the Jesus Saves hoodie made of?
It is 50% cotton and 50% polyester, 320 GSM and pre-shrunk. The letters are 100% cotton, cut out and stitched on.
Do Forty-Six Ten hoodies run big?
A little. Our patchwork hoodies are cut slightly oversized and unisex, and 93% of 199 reviewers said the Jesus Saves hoodie fit true to size or roomy, so order your usual size. If it does not fit, returns and exchanges are open for 30 days after your order is delivered, and returns come back as store credit.
