Where were hoodies invented?

Where were hoodies invented?

Hoodies have become such a staple in fashion and pop culture that it’s hard to imagine a time before they existed. But of course, all clothes have an origin story. So, where did the hoodie come from? What’s the history behind this cozy, iconic garment? I’m glad you asked! Let’s take a little journey back in time to unravel the fascinating history of the hoodie.

Monks Started It All With Hoods for Warmth and Modesty

Believe it or not, the roots of the hoodie can be traced all the way back to medieval Europe. Back in the day, monks wore long tunics called cowls that had hoods attached. These hoods served a practical purpose, providing warmth and modesty. Can’t you just picture a monk with his hood pulled up, keeping his bald head nice and toasty in a drafty monastery? The workers who braved the cold outdoors wore similar hooded capes called chaperons. So, we have medieval monks and laborers to thank for the original hooded top.

Champion Came Through With the Game Changing Hoodie Sweatshirt

Okay, let’s zip forward to 1930s America. This is when the hoodie starts to look like the one we know and love today. There was a company called Champion that made sweatshirts for laborers working in freezing New York warehouses. Smart idea Champion had: they decided to take the sweatshirt and add a hood! This was a total game-changer. Now, workers could have their heads covered while still having ease of movement. Can’t you just imagine a 1930s dock worker pulling his hoodie over his flat cap before unloading boxes from a ship?

Champion’s hoodie invention laid the groundwork for the modern hoodie. I, for one, need to send them a thank you card for coming up with such a cozy innovation!

The 1960s College Crowd Made The Hoodie Cool.

Okay, so the hoodie started as a practical garment for workers braving the cold. But when did it become the ubiquitous fashion statement it is today? We can thank American university students in the 1960s for that transition. College campuses basically turned the hoodie into a fashion icon.

Students customized plain hoodies with their university names and mascots. Suddenly, the hoodie became a way to show school spirit and identity. Sororities rocked their Greek letters across the front. This imprinting of personality is what really launched the hoodie’s style status.

By the 60s, you had stylish coeds walking across quads in hoodies like, “What’s up, I go to Michigan State, and I’m adorable in this sweatshirt.” The hoodie became a versatile way for young people to express themselves. Pretty cool how college kids took Champion’s practical invention and made it fashionable.

Hoodies Became Symbols of Rebellion and Subculture in the 1970s

Now we’re cruising into the 1970s, which was a pretty epic era for the hoodie. This is when it became a symbol of various subcultures and rebellion. Hip-hop culture was on the rise in New York City, and hoodies became wildly popular on the streets and in the underground scene. I mean, b-boys had to keep warm while doing headspins outside, right?

Skateboarders and punks also made the hoodie into one of their staples. Whether they were shredding pipes or slamming in mosh pits, the hoodie just gave off that edgy vibe. And who could forget Rocky Balboa training in his grey hoodie, getting ready to take down Apollo Creed? That captured the grit and determination that the hoodie exuded. By the 70s, it was officially the garment of the badass counterculture!

High Fashion Embraced Hoodies in the 1990s

Fast forward again to the 1990s, when the hoodie had a major glow-up. This is when high fashion decided, “Hey, this hoodie thing is pretty cool; let’s make it glam!” Top designers started incorporating hoodies into their collections. Suddenly, the hoodie went from streetwear to something you could see on the catwalk.

The 90s also gave rise to iconic streetwear brands that really amplified the hoodie as a stylish staple. Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, and DKNY made the hoodie something chic and aspirational. It became a versatile garment that transcended its roots in subcultures.

Today, the Hoodie is a Universal Fashion Statement

So, what’s the deal with hoodies now? Well, today, the hoodie is just a classic fashion essential. Unlike the monks of old, people now wear it more for style than warmth (though it still keeps you toasty). The hoodie has reached true ubiquity – you see every type of person rocking one, from little kids to celebrities. What was once a practical garment for laborers became a symbol of rebellion and is now a closet staple for all.

The amazing thing about the hoodie is its versatility. You can dress it up or down. You can make bold statements or keep it simple. It adapts to any personal style. No wonder it’s stood the test of time from the medieval era to today. The hoodie has come a long way!