Let me start with a disclaimer: nearly my entire Promo Insanity semifinal matchup predictions were wrong. All except this one, that is.

I knew jackets & sweatshirts would beat writing instruments in Round 2. I use both every day, but for me, sweatshirts in particular have formed a sweet friend circle amid the pandemic and social distancing. And now in the semifinals, I know they can take it all.

Why am I so confident? Well, judging by my current outfit and laundry pile and the garment choices I’ve seen on Teams meetings, we’re all wearing more sweatshirts on the daily than before COVID. A year after work-from-home began, I can honestly say I haven’t worn this many in a week since my college days.

A sampling of the comfy pullover hoodies, full-zips, quarter-zips and crewnecks I pick from each morning, from suppliers like Redwood Classics Apparel (asi/81627), Next Level Apparel (asi/73867), Fruit of the Loom (asi/84257), Vantage Apparel (asi/93390) and others. Note the elementary school crewneck from 1998.

It was mostly hooded pullovers with screen-printed school logos on the front, and they didn’t have the softest hand. But I have fond memories of heading to the university bookstore with my friends when shipments of new styles came in, and we’d all pick variations of them to wear together. I know, so college.

Nowadays, my hands-down favorite are super-soft fleece full-zips. The layering versatility can’t be beat, especially now with warm and cold days in the same week as spring approaches. I can also get behind (and inside) crewnecks, off-the-shoulder scoops, quarter-zips and good old hooded pullovers with kangaroo pockets. They’ve become my comforting (and silent) co-workers, always ready to lend a hand in the form of extra warmth during busy workdays, not demanding much and still game for accompanying me on errands afterhours. Plus, they offer a touch of nostalgia as I reflect on simpler times, like mask-free college dorms and travel without health scares. And they’re content to be tossed on a nearby chair, ready for when I need them next.

I have blank ones and logoed ones, even a kids’ size from my elementary school days and a generous men’s size from high school (the hoods are roomier). They’re easy to wash and store. In short, they’ve become part of my daily wardrobe again, even though I thought I’d left my sweatshirt days back in 2008. And I’m not the only one.

Don’t think I’ve forgotten about jackets. They’re no longer relegated to before work, after work and weekends. With remote work, we’re going out to lunch, walking the dog, catching some rays and making quick trips to the grocery store during the day. Even though we’re working at home, it doesn’t mean we’re stuck inside during every hour of the workday, which means different types of jackets have been in demand.

I’ve got a ton of them too, from full-length winter ones, to puffers, to lightweight waterproof athletic windbreakers. One of my very favorites: a baby blue quilted stable jacket with removable sleeves and a striking gold lining. It’s still the warmest jacket I’ve ever worn and it’s looking good for 20 years old. These past few months, it’s been a long-time, trusty, up-for-anything friend when I ventured out that always made me reflect on my simpler pre-COVID teen years.

A waterproof windbreaker and a lovely quilted jacket that’s really given me my money’s worth.

With so many people in no rush to return to the office, these work-from-home staples are going to remain in vogue for a long time to come. And they’re about to take Promo Insanity with no problem.

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