The History of the Hoodie and How It Became the "It" Sweatshirt

If you have a closet full of hoodies, you are on the cutting edge of fashion. The hoodie has come a long way throughout the years. Once the go-to uniform of college students everywhere, today, you'll see hoodies as acceptable grown-up fashion, too.

How did we get the hoodie? Where did it come from? Isn't it the same thing as a sweatshirt? This ultimate symbol of comfort has an interesting history. Before you dismiss a hoodie in the business world as sloppy or inappropriate, keep reading to get to know the hoodie as a fashion icon.

The Hoodie's Origins

Before we go further, it's critical to understand that a sweatshirt is not the same as a hoodie. While hoodies are a relative of the sweatshirt— the share similar materials—a hoodie is a piece of apparel that's separate from your common sweatshirt.

Is a hoodie fancier than a sweatshirt? Some would argue yes, the hooded feature of the hoodie and the pockets found in most hoodies give it an "arm" up when comparing to "just" a sweatshirt.

How it Began

During the 1930s, the Champion Athletic Apparel company invented a material to help athletes and outdoor workers stay warm. The "sweat" shirt was born due to the nature of the material to absorb sweat while protecting athletes from outdoor elements. Soon, athletes everywhere wore these hoodies made of "sweat" shirt material.

As the hoodie grew in popularity, athletes brought them into mainstream fashion. By the 1950s, girlfriends wore their athlete's hoodie as a fashion statement during the school day and for social activities. Hoodies were acceptable and associated with the popularity of athletes and their friends and girlfriends.

The Dark Side of the Hoodie

By the 1970s, however, wearing a hoodie was no longer a positive fashion statement. People who wore hoodies were trying to keep a low profile by hiding their identities inside the protective folds of the hoodie.

Breakdancers, rap music artists, and other rebellious members of society made the hoodie a staple of their wardrobe. Skateboarders also incorporated the hoodie into their uniform, which didn't help to improve their image within society. The hoodie represented rebellion and struggle.

Then, 1976 brought one of the most iconic representations of the hoodie. Rocky Balboa's grey hoodie represented overcoming obstacles through hard work and perseverance. The movie "Rocky" helped bring the hoodie back to life in a positive way, as the title character wore it throughout his struggles and success during the movie.

By the 1980s, the hoodie was a symbol of empowerment. From rap music artists to everyday street style, adopting a hoodie-centric wardrobe gave the impression of strength and power.

Today's "Hoodie"

Before the 1990s, the "hoodie" had the label of "hooded sweatshirt." During the 1990s, the shirt's common name shortened to "hoodie," and we still commonly know the hooded sweatshirt by this name today.

As the 1990s drifted into the 2000s, the hoodie transitioned from the main wardrobe stylings of rap artists to more mainstream everyday wear. Mark Zuckerburg came into the spotlight with his regular adoption of a hoodie as his work "uniform." The hoodie soon became acceptable attire for tech workers everywhere.

Today, the hoodie is once again a staple of just about anyone's wardrobe. No longer a statement of rebellion or mischief, the hoodie has arrived in the closets of everyone from athletes to students to the business casual professional.

Hoodies Make a Statement

Hoodies can add a flair to your everyday wardrobe when dressing it up. There's no need to be uncomfortable at the office in your business casual wardrobe. A "nice" hoodie can pair nicely with khakis or work-appropriate jeans and a blazer. Create your own style and variations on your wardrobe by incorporating hoodies

Your favorite hoodie is also acceptable for relaxing at home or running errands. The hoodie is no longer the hallmark symbol of a slob who doesn't care about what they look like when they leave the house. A clean hoodie without holes or tears can pair nicely with a comfy pair of pants and sneakers to run errands in style and comfort.

Be careful when choosing a hoodie to wear in public. A hoodie with stains and holes can put you in that "slob" category. Keep those well-worn hoodies at home for comfort out of the public eye.

Make it Personal

Customizing a hoodie goes beyond finding a hoodie with your favorite sports team's logo. Because hoodies are so popular—and widely acceptable as part of an everyday wardrobe—your business logo on a hoodie helps you make a fashion statement while promoting your business.

It's the gift that keeps on giving! Everyone loves a hoodie. When you give the gift of a customized hoodie, you show appreciation to your employees, a partnering company, or a prospective new client.

When it comes to friends and family, a custom hoodie makes an affordable and personalized gift. Use a custom hoodie maker to help you commemorate an event or personalize your family's winter vacation shirts.

The Hoodie is Here to Stay

Celebrate the hoodie! It's here to stay. With today's styles, there are plenty of ways to incorporate a high-end hoodie into your professional or social wardrobe. The hoodie is more than "just" a sweatshirt. It's a fashion statement that can elevate the professional look of your staff with your company's branding.

Customized hoodies for your business to get the word out! Use them as a way to spread the word about your product or services while your employees or partners wear this everyday style. LogoUp makes the ordering process easy, and we provide professional "old-fashioned" service for all of our customers.

Start your ordering process by setting up an account. We're standing by to design your next custom hoodie!