There is a version of the black sweatshirt that does nothing. Faded, shapeless, pulling at the shoulders, the kind of thing you wear when you have given up on the day. And then there is the version that quietly holds an entire casual wardrobe together without asking for any credit. That is the one we are interested in. The right black sweatshirt works under a coat the way a good base layer should, pairs with tailored trousers without looking confused about what it is, and takes a trainer or a clean leather shoe equally in its stride. We have been looking specifically at weight, collar finish, and how the cuff holds its shape after a dozen washes, because that is where most of them fall short. French terry, loopback cotton, a proper heavyweight fleece. Each has its place and we have noted which is which. These are the ones that earn their space in a considered wardrobe rather than just filling it.