Hoodies have a long and interesting history. They were first created in the 1930s as a way to keep workers warm while they were working on construction sites. However, they didn't become popular until the 1970s. Since then, hoodies have become one of the most popular clothing items in the world. In this article, we will discuss the brief history of hoodies and how they have evolved over time.
Hoodie ancestors – hooded garments in Medieval times
The first time when people wore hooded garments is recorded in the 12th century. They were called "cowls" and were worn by monks and "chaperons" were worn by outdoor workers. In both cases, the hood was used as a way to keep their heads warm. Cowls and chaperons were made out of wool or linen and had a large hood that covered the head and shoulders.
First hoodie as we know it – 1930 Champion creation
The first hoodie as we know it was created by Champion in 1930. It was originally called the "hooded sweatshirt" and was made for NYC workers who needed a warm, comfortable garment to wear while they were working. The hoodie quickly became popular among athletes, as it allowed them to keep their heads and ears warm during cold-weather workouts.
1970 – the rise of the hooded sweatshirt
In the 1970s, hoodies became popular among young people who were involved in the punk and hip-hop scenes. They wore them as a way to rebel against mainstream fashion trends. The hoodie is still a garment that represents hip-hop culture.
In also 1976 came the movie "Rocky" in which the main character was wearing a grey hoodie while training for the big fight. The movie was a hit and inspired young people to embrace the hoodie. However, at that time it was still called a "hooded sweatshirt".
In the 70ties also a lot of universities started printing hoodies with their university logo creating them as a symbol for the university community.
Fashion of the 1980ties
In the 80ties sweatshirts or hooded sweatshirts gained some popularity in the high fashion scene as well. A designer Norma Camali created a sweatshirt fashion line and it led to hoodies and sweatshirts becoming more popular amongst women.
The bad reputation of hoodies in the 90ties
In the 1990s, hoodies got a bad reputation because they were often associated with violence and crime. This was especially true in the UK, where young people who wore hoodies were often seen as troublemakers. In response to this negative image, many schools and businesses banned hoodies from their premises.
But nevertheless, hoodies got their name in this decade and hip-hop culture became even more popular than in the 70ties and indirectly promoted hooded garments and other sportswear.
The comeback of hoodies with athleisure
In recent years, hoodies have made a comeback thanks to the rise of athleisure. Athleisure is a trend where people wear comfortable, casual clothing as everyday wear. Hoodies are perfect for this trend as they are comfortable and can be easily layered with other garments.
Hoodies are still very well-favoured by sportsmen and anyone else who likes to work out. Nowadays hoodies are also associated with IT programmers, as they are usually allowed to wear casual clothing to work and they take advantage of it, wearing as comfortable clothing as possible.
Hoodie styles nowadays
Today we have lots of hoodie styles. There are oversized hoodies, tight-fit hoodies, cropped hoodies, and regular-fit hoodies. The fabric also can be very thick and warm or thin and breathable. It is also possible to get hoodies in different colours with various prints – more or less, anything you can image, you can get printed on a hoodie.
Custom hoodies
If you cannot find the perfect print for your hoodie, you can print one yourself! Nowadays, there is a possibility to print any design on a hoodie using print on demand services. Just find a service you like, create a design and order your hoodie! We suggest trying out printseekers.com as your print on demand supplier.
Conclusion
Hoodies have come a long way since their humble beginnings in the 1930s. Today, they are one of the most popular types of clothing worn by people of all ages and from all walks of life. Whether you're a hip-hop fan, a sports enthusiast, or just someone who likes to be comfortable, there's a hoodie out there for you. And if you can't find the perfect one, you can always create your own custom design.
