The Hoodie

The history of the specific garment began in the 1930s, but historical precedent dates the style and form of the hoodie back to the Middle Ages. The formal wear for Catholic monks included a cowl, a long, decorative hood worn in addition to the standard tunic or robes.[1] The modern clothing style was first produced by Champion in the 1930s for laborers in the frozen warehouses of New York.[2] Its popularity spread as sportswear designers such as Claire McCardell developed entire collections based around the clothing.

The hoodie took off in the 1970s as several factors contributed to its success. Hip hop culture developed in New York City around this time, and the hoodie's element of instant anonymity, provided by the accessible hood, appealed to those with criminal intent.[2] High fashion also contributed during this era, as Norma Kamali and other high-profile designers embraced and glamorized the new clothing.[1] Most critical to the hoodie's popularity during this time was its iconic appearance in the blockbuster Rocky film. His attire embodied the persevering spirit of the American Dream at the time, and simultaneously appealed to workingmen, street thugs, and athletes. By the 1990s, the hoodie had evolved into a symbol of isolation, a statement of academic spirit, and several fashion collections. The association with Chavs in the UK developed around this time, as their popularity rose with that specific demographic. Young men, often skateboarders or surfers, sported the hoodie and spread the trend across the western United States, most significantly in California. The rise of hoodies with university logos began around this time. Tommy Hilfiger, Giorgio Armani, and Ralph Lauren, for example, used the hoodie as the primary component for many of their collections in the 1990s.[1][2]
The hoodie is a garment worn worldwide, although modern perception and use remains extremely variable depending on location. The hoodie is very common attire for young males, especially in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.[citation needed] In the western regions of Washington and Oregon (where there is a significant amount of rainfall during the winter months), hoodies are often worn by people who dislike carrying umbrellas. The UK continues to view hoodies negatively; they were the subject of debates involving former Prime Minister Tony Blair at one point. Although the design remains fairly consistent, variations in design, such as hoodies with or without zippers, differently styled pockets, and other structural differences contribute to the overall success of the style. Some hooded sweaters can be zipped to completely mask the face, with meshed holes for the eyes