Hoodies are one of the most popular clothing items today that are loved for their comfort, style, and versatility. But they weren’t always a fashion statement. Do you know when hoodies were invented? In this blog, we will take a step back and discover where it comes from. The hoodie’s story goes back to the early 1900s, when sweatshirts were first created as practical gear for athletes. In the 1920s, an Alabama football player’s father, who was also a clothing manufacturer, designed the first cotton sweatshirt without collars and hoods. By the 1930s, companies began adding hoods to keep workers and athletes warm outdoors.
Over time, the hoodie became a symbol of culture, identity, and even rebellion. The trend of the hoodie has rapidly grown beyond sports and workwear. Today, it is added to a winter wardrobe essential for everyone. These cozy wears blend practicality with style while continuing to evolve in fashion and function. Let's explore more where it comes from, its evolution, the reason behind the popularity, and who invented it and made it popular.
We have not seen any garment that moves through an era as fast as a hoodie to set a constant fashion trend. It created a great marketplace in the clothing industry as a symbol of rebellion while providing comfort. However, the meaning and status of hoodies have constantly changed and been reinvented. Let's delve into the hoodie invention from the 12th century to 2010 and beyond:
In the 12th century, hooded clothing was first invented in Medieval Europe. Catholic monks, including men and women, wore hooded robes called cowls as part of their religious dress. Moreover, outdoor workers also found using hoods attached to capes for warmth and protection from rain. These early designs became the foundation for the hoodies we know today.
In the 1930s to 40s, the American company named Champion made the first hooded sweatshirt, which was also known as the Knickerbocker Knitting Company. They used thick cotton fleece called Reverse Weave to create durable sweatshirts that resisted shrinking. For workers who worked in cold New York warehouses, hoods and front pockets were later. Further, athletes tried them first time for warmth on the sidelines during games.
In 1934, the college sports teams and the University of Michigan adopted this trend as well. This famous company also supplied hoodies to the U.S. military for use during training.
Universities printed their names and logos on hoodies in the 1960s, which made them a fashion. This trend quickly spread around the world in a minimum time, not just in the USA. played a big role in making hoodies popular beyond campuses and the globe.
By the late 1960s, hoodies were also embraced by gyms and athletes like Muhammad Ali, boosting global recognition.
This era played a great part in giving the hoodie a huge cultural boost. It became especially popular after the release of Rocky in 1976. In the film, Sylvester Stallone’s character, Rocky Balboa, played the role of the underdog fighting for his dream. He wore a simple gray hoodie in an icnic montage training scene. The scene made this winter attire a symbol of positivity, hard work, and resilience.
Additionally, its popularity grew even more in New York City, where hip-hop culture was making a place. Graffiti artists and performers love to wear them for both anonymity and style. They are also linked the hoodies with counterculture identity.
By the 1980s and 90s, fashion runways and major brands like Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren started manufacturing hoodies. They added them to their fashion collections.
In this era, hoodies were also once linked to crime and graffiti, but their image has changed due to youth-driven culture. For them, they indicate comfort, expression, and identity, not a crime. Hip-hop artists, skateboarders, and rave communities started wearing hoodies as part of their style. They became seen as cool, urban, and stylish rather than suspicious.
Hoodies were a key piece of street fashion and helped people to express themselves. Filmmakers added them in their movie attire that actors wore in 20’. Actors had seen wearing them in music videos, movies, and celebrity outfits helped spread their influence worldwide.
Hip-hop and pop culture icons such as Paris Hilton and brands like Rocawear popularized Juicy Couture zip-up hoodies as their casual luxury fashion statement. Together, these trends created pullovers as a universal symbol of style and self-expression.
In the 2010s, the hoodie became a defining piece of modern culture. In the tech world, figures like Mark Zuckerberg made it the best informal workwear.
At the same time, luxury fashion houses such as Balenciaga, Gucci, and Off-White reimagined the hoodie as a runway item, while streetwear brands like Supreme and Yeezy also manufactured them for youth.
The hoodie also carried a powerful social meaning. It participated in protests and solidarity during movements like Justice for Trayvon Martin. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it gained new importance as the ultimate comfortable and versatile at-home essential.
The story sweatshirts to the hoodie starts with Benjamin Russell. He worked with the champion, was a businessman, and father to a young college athlete at that time. His son needed something more comfortable than the itchy wool uniform of the time, so Russell designed a new cotton garment that gave athletes true comfort to move freely.
He helped the company to refine the design of the hoodie. His forward-thinking approach solved a problem for athletes. but also laid the foundation of fashion’s most iconic garments.
There are four main reasons behind the hoodie's popularity. Let's put a spotlight on why hoodies became a cultural mainstay for several reasons:
The functionality of hoodies is one of the reasons why they became popular in the past era. They provide warmth, comfort, and everyday usefulness, which is why everybody loves them. They are versatile for workouts, relaxed, and casual wear.
The hoodie started to be seen as a sign of rebellion. Many young people wore it to show they were different, independent, or didn’t want to follow mainstream fashion. Non-conformists made them famous who wanted to stand apart from the usual trends.
From movie characters like Rocky Balboa to tech leaders like Mark Zuckerberg, the hoodie has been embraced by influential figures. The pop culture industry started the hoodie trend and made a place in modern fashion.
Due to its multiple benefits, it becomes an essential in the winter. Everyone loved wearing them in chilly mornings to cool evening walks on the streets due to their warmth, coziness, comfort, and ease of throwing on. People just threw them on and ran out the door.
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Several influential figures have played a significant role in making the hoodies famous. They made a significant contribution to boosting the fashion industry. People adopted their fashion statements or trends, which was the main reason for its vogue. The following are the names of the celebrities who gave rise to the trend.
You’ve found the answer to when hoodies were invented. We have discovered the history of hoodies from the 12th century to 2000 and beyond. Who made them famous, from medieval monks and outdoor workers to athletes, rebels, and celebrities. In this guide, we also put a spotlight on who invented them, from Russell to the Champion. Today, the hoodie is known as more than a piece of clothing. Whether worn for warmth, fashion, or symbolism, the hoodie has secured its place as an everlasting universal icon. Vel Clothing is one of the best hoodie manufacturers. They make high-quality custom apparel as per modern trends. Email us at sales@velclohting.com or call at +804-294-1966 for further queries.
