Hoodie

Sweatshirt with a hood

For other uses, see Hoodie (disambiguation).

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
Find sources: "Hoodie" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (July 2015) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

American football player Marvin Jones wearing a hoodie

A hoodie is a type of sweatshirt[1] with a hood that, when worn up, covers most of the head and neck, and sometimes the face.

The most common 'pullover' style hoodies often include a single large knife pocket or muff on the lower front, while hoodies with zippers usually include two pockets, one on either side of the zipper, in the same location. Both styles typically include a drawstring to adjust the hood opening. Hoodies may be worn for aesthetic purposes, or protection against the weather, such as cold, wind, and rain.

## Terminology

[edit]

The word hood derives from the Anglo-Saxon word hōd,[2] ultimately of the same root as an English hat.[3]

Hoodie is sometimes spelled hoody[1] and can also be called a hooded sweatshirt[4] or just a sweatshirt, although that term can also include all sweatshirts, including those without a hood.[citation needed]

The name 'hoodie' entered popular usage in the 1990s.[1]

According to Oxford English Dictionary, the term is also colloquially used in British and Irish English to describe a hooligan or thug.[1]

A study done in 2023 and published in a journal called The English Languages: History, Diaspora, Culture found that Canadian respondents preferred the term "hoodie" by a wide margin. However, those with ties to Saskatchewan may prefer the regional term "bunnyhug," while those with ties to Western Canada, especially older individuals,may use "kangaroo jacket." They found no relation between gender and term use. They found that younger people were more likely to give a variety of terms and hypothesized that they may have been trying to fit in.[5]

## History

[edit]

This 19th-century book illustration copies a 12th-century English image of a man wearing a hooded tunic.

The garment's style and form can be traced back to Medieval Europe when the preferred clothing for Catholic monks included a hood called a cowl attached to a tunic or robes,[6][7] and a chaperon or hooded cape was very commonly worn by any outdoors worker.[citation needed] Its appearance was known in England as early as the 12th century, possibly an import with the Norman conquest of England, as the capa was "a short hooded cloak which was common in Normandy."[2]

A person wearing a pullover hoodie

The hooded pullover is a utilitarian garment that originated in the 1930s in the US for workers in cold New York warehouses.[8] The earliest clothing style was first produced by Champion in the 1930s in Rochester and marketed to laborers working in freezing temperatures in upstate New York.[9]

The hoodie became popular in the 1970s, with several factors contributing to its success. Hip hop culture developed in New York City around this time and high fashion also took off during this era, as Norma Kamali and other high-profile designers embraced and glamorized the new clothing.[6] The hoodie also gained in popularity following its prominent appearance in the 1976 film Rocky.[citation needed] The rise of hoodies with university logos began around this time.[citation needed]

By the 1990s, the hoodie had evolved into a symbol of isolation.[10] The association with ravers in the UK developed around this time, as their popularity rose with that specific demographic.[citation needed] Young men, often skateboarders or surfers, sported the hoodie and spread the trend across the western part of the United States, most significantly in California.[citation needed] Tommy Hilfiger, Giorgio Armani, and Ralph Lauren, for example, used the hoodie as the primary component for many of their collections in the 1990s.[6][9] A crystal-studded hoodie made by rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs was acquired by the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.[8]

## Subcultures

[edit]

### Hackers

[edit]

In the early 21st century, the image of hackers became associated with hoodies.[11][12] Elliot Alderson, the protagonist of Mr Robot, is a vigilante hacker who constantly wears a black hoodie.[12]

## By country

[edit]

### Australia

[edit]

In June 2011, police in Wynnum, Brisbane, Australia launched a "Hoodie Free Zone" initiative, with shopkeepers encouraged to ask hoodie-wearers to leave. The zone was part of an initiative to educate businesses on how to avoid armed robberies, in which the hoodie type of clothing was reportedly often worn.[13]

### Canada

[edit]

Across Canada, hoodies are a popular clothing item, sometimes worn under a coat or jacket to provide an extra layer of clothing during the winter.[citation needed]

### New Zealand

[edit]

The "Hoodies on Parliament—politicians challenge youth stereotypes" campaign was launched in May 2008 in New Zealand (NZ) as part of the annual national Youth Week event, a pro-youth initiative organized to challenge youth stereotypes. To launch the campaign, NZ politicians, including National MP Nicky Wagner, Green Party MPs Sue Bradford, Nandor Tanczos and Metiria Turei, and Maori party MP Hone Harawira, wore hoodies while standing on the steps of the country's parliament. Archbishop David Moxon, Archbishop of the Anglican Dioceses, and Brian Turner President of the Methodist Church of NZ also participated in the campaign.[14]

Support and criticism were raised by politicians, who were divided over the 2008 event.[15][16] One strong response was drawn from a local government council member, Dale Evans, who donned a Ku Klux Klan outfit in protest, citing the hoodie as "not an appropriate article of clothing to celebrate."[17]

"Goodie in a Hoodie" day was then run in 2009 by New Zealand Adolescent Health and Development (NZAAHD) in partnership with Age Concern—the organisations used the campaign to highlight the stereotypes that both young people and the elderly face in New Zealand. Liz Baxendine, president of Age Concern at the time, said to the media:

> Older people and young people have a lot in common. We both face stereotypes based on our age rather than our real achievements and outlook on life ... we've got to destigmatise the hoodie and see it for what it is. Everyone wears them. We need to take the hoodie back![18]

### United Kingdom

[edit]

"No hoodies" sign outside a pub in South London, 2006 Butterfly Hoodie by Damien Hirst for Adrian Nyman (2008)

In the UK, hoodies have been the subject of much criticism; some shoplifters have used the hood to conceal their identities from CCTV cameras in shopping centres.[19] The hoodie became a popular clothing item by the 1990s. By the 21st century, it had gained a negative image, being associated with anti-social behaviour. It became one of the later items associated with "chavs", or Neds.

Angela McRobbie, professor of communications at Goldsmiths College in the UK, says the appeal of the hoodie is its promise of anonymity, mystery and anxiety. "The point of origin is obviously black American hip-hop culture, now thoroughly mainstream and a key part of the global economy. Leisure and sportswear adopted for everyday wear suggests a distance from the world of office suit or school uniform. Rap culture celebrates defiance, as it narrates the experience of social exclusion. Musically and stylistically, it projects menace and danger as well as anger and rage. The hooded top is one in a long line of garments chosen by young people, usually boys, to which are ascribed meanings suggesting that they are 'up to no good'. In the past, such appropriation was usually restricted to membership of specific youth cultures—leather jackets, bondage trousers—but nowadays it is the norm among young people to flag up their music and cultural preferences in this way, hence the adoption of the hoodie by boys across the boundaries of age, ethnicity and class."[20]

In May 2005, Bluewater shopping centre in Kent caused outrage by launching a code of conduct which bans its shoppers from sporting hoodies or baseball caps, although the garments remain on sale. John Prescott welcomed the move, stating that he was threatened by the presence of teenagers wearing hoodies at a motorway service station.[20] Then–Prime Minister Tony Blair openly supported this stance and vowed to clamp down on the anti-social behaviour with which hoodie-wearers are sometimes associated. London-based rapper Lady Sovereign published a single titled "Hoodie" in protest as part of a "Save the Hoodie" campaign.[21]

In 2005, Coombeshead College in the south-west of England allowed the hoodie to become part of the boys' school uniform, but the hood could be put up only when it rained. The principal, Richard Haigh, stated that the move would help to calm some of what he called the "hysteria" surrounding the garment.[22]

In February 2006, a 58-year-old teacher who was wearing a hooded top was asked to remove it when entering a Tesco store in Swindon. According to the teacher, she was wearing the hood because "my hair's a mess". The store did not have a hoodie policy. The shop apologized and said it was taking action to "make sure this doesn't happen again."[23]

In July 2006, David Cameron, leader of the Conservative Party, made a speech suggesting that the hoodie was worn more for defensive than offensive purposes.[24] The speech was referred to as "hug a hoodie" by the Labour Party.[25][26]

In 2019 the British fashion label Burberry had to apologize for an inappropriate hoodie. On its runaway show, the fashion label featured a piece of cloth with a "noose" around the neck, which caused a backlash on social media.[27][28]

A March 2020 article in the Belfast Telegraph argued that hoodies were not as associated with the working class as in previous years, noting that Kate Middleton had appeared in a hoodie.[29]

### United States

[edit]

Souvenir Hoodies in Washington, D.C.

Hoodies have become a mainstream fashion in the U.S., transcending the clothing item's original utilitarian purpose,[30] similar to jeans. This clothing item has found its way into a variety of styles, even so far as to be worn under a suit jacket.[31] Hoodies with zippers are generally referred to as zip-up hoodies,[32][33][34] while a hoodie without a zipper may be described as a pullover hoodie.[35] Throughout the U.S., it is common for teenagers and young adults to wear sweatshirts—with or without hoods—that display their respective school names or mascots across the chest, either as part of a uniform or personal preference.[36]

The hooded sweatshirt is a utilitarian garment that originated in the 1930s for workers in cold New York warehouses and thus have been around for over 90 years.[8] In the 1970s and 1980s, hoodies were adopted by hip hop culture as a symbol of what one reporter termed "cool anonymity and vague menace".[8] When the garment was depicted in FBI composite drawings of Unabomber Ted Kaczynski, the hoodie became linked to "seedy threatening criminality", thereby further asserting its non-mainstream symbolism.[8]

In 2012, Trayvon Martin was shot by George Zimmerman while wearing a hoodie. Protests over the shooting death involved hoodies.[8][37] Fox News host Geraldo Rivera encouraged young black people to stop wearing hoodies[38] though he later apologized for his comments.[39] Zimmerman's defense team offered what was called "the hoodie defense". They argued that it was reasonable for Zimmerman to regard Martin's hoodie as a threat.[40] According to Carolyn Fluehr-Lobban, author of Race and Racism, the garment became emblematic of the Black Lives Matter movement following Zimmerman's trial.[41] Dress Codes author, law Professor Richard Thompson Ford, said that "As the hoodie became associated with 'Black hoodlums' in the media, some Black people avoided them and others embraced them: the public image of the hoodie made it into a statement of racial pride and defiance, solidarity with a community, an emblem of belonging, and all of that reinforced the negative associations for those who were inclined to be afraid of assertive Black people."[42]

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg often wears a plain grey zip-up hoodie rather than a business suit, drawing comments during his company's 2012 initial public offering.[43][44]

In 2015, Oklahoma state representative Don Barrington proposed a bill to criminalize wearing a "robe, mask or other disguise" in public that would "intentionally conceal the wearer's identity", a bill which was criticized as an attempt to criminalize the wearing of the hoodie.[45]

## See also

[edit]

* Fashion portal

* Baja jacket
* Cardigan (sweater)
* Goggle jacket
* Parka

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d "hoodie". Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/OED/8926623629. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.)
2. ^ a b Planché, James Robinson (1876). A Cyclopaedia of Costume Or Dictionary of Dress, Including Notices of Contemporaneous Fashions on the Continent. Vol. 1\. London: Chatto and Windus. p. 291\. Archived from the original on 29 July 2020. Retrieved 26 August 2019.
3. ^ Article "hood" Archived 16 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine, in Online Etymology Dictionary.
4. ^ GROSSMAN, AVIDAN. "The Best Hoodies to Wear Whenever and Wherever You Want". Esquire. Archived from the original on 9 June 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
5. ^ Deprez, Sophia; Williams, Tiffany (2023). "Bunnyhugs and Kangaroos: Hooded Sweatshirt Variants and Developing a Methodology for the Unknown". The English Languages: History, Diaspora, Culture. 9: 64–78.64-78&rft.date=2023&rft.aulast=Deprez&rft.aufirst=Sophia&rft.au=Williams,+Tiffany&rft_id=https://jps.library.utoronto.ca/index.php/elhdc/issue/view/2799&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Hoodie" class="Z3988">
6. ^ a b c Yusuf, Nilgin (12 August 2006). "The hoody grows up". Times Online. London. Archived from the original on 11 May 2009. Retrieved 28 June 2007.
7. ^ "Hoodies and Monks: Discover the Rich History of Hooded Garments". Kooky Clothing. Retrieved 3 February 2025.
8. ^ a b c d e f Koehn, Donna (24 March 2012). "Hoodie becomes symbol of injustice". The Tampa Tribune. Archived from the original on 29 April 2014.
9. ^ a b Wilson, Denis (23 December 2006). "A Look Under the Hoodie". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 24 January 2018. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
10. ^ Article in Washington Post Archived 14 June 2019 at the Wayback Machine
11. ^ Larson, Selena (26 May 2017). "Why do hackers always wear hoodies? Behind the stereotype". Archived from the original on 26 May 2017. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
12. ^ a b Donsky, Sam (20 July 2016). "What Does a Hacker Look Like?". The Ringer. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
13. ^ "Hood-free zones in Brisbane west". AAP. 28 June 2011. Archived from the original on 1 July 2011.
14. ^ "Hoodies on Parliament challenging youth stereotype". Scoop. 29 May 2008. Archived from the original on 6 November 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
15. ^ "Politicians support Hoodie Day". TVNZ. TVNZ.co.nz. 30 May 2008. Archived from the original on 28 December 2015. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
16. ^ Tait, Maggie (26 May 2008). "Youth Week Hoodie Day criticised". The New Zealand Herald. NZPA. Retrieved 3 October 2011.
17. ^ "Councillor stuns board with Ku Klux Klan outfit". The New Zealand Herald. 30 May 2008. Archived from the original on 8 November 2012. Retrieved 3 October 2011.
18. ^ King, Kathryn (12 August 2009). "Oldies but hoodies". Wanganui Chronicle. Archived from the original on 6 November 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
19. ^ McLean, Gareth (13 May 2005). "In the hood". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 18 April 2022. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
20. ^ a b McLean, Gareth (13 May 2005). "In the hood". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 18 April 2022. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
21. ^ Dan Hancox: "Observations on style" (Archived 7 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine). New Statesman, 31 October 2005
22. ^ "School adopts 'hoodie' as uniform". BBC News. 19 May 2005. Archived from the original on 11 January 2009. Retrieved 18 March 2006.
23. ^ "Shop regrets 'hoodie' humiliation". BBC News. 21 February 2006. Archived from the original on 14 February 2009. Retrieved 22 February 2006.
24. ^ "Cameron 'hoodie' speech in full". BBC News. 10 July 2006. Archived from the original on 6 November 2018. Retrieved 16 March 2007.
25. ^ "Cameron defends 'hoodie' speech". BBC News. 10 July 2006. Archived from the original on 7 January 2009. Retrieved 21 August 2006.
26. ^ "Girl, 4, asked to remove 'hoodie'". BBC News. 7 September 2007. Archived from the original on 17 October 2010. Retrieved 9 September 2007.
27. ^ "The Hoodie Phenomenon". Champion. 19 August 2019. Archived from the original on 5 December 2019. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
28. ^ "Burberry Apologizes After Sending Model Down Runway in a Hoodie with a Noose Around the Neck". People. 19 February 2019. Archived from the original on 5 December 2019. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
29. ^ Wade, Prudence (5 March 2020). "Unravelling the tangled history of the hoodie". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
30. ^ Hoodies Hailed As Defining Fashion Trend Archived 18 October 2016 at the Wayback Machine The Huffington Post (28 January 2010). Retrieved on 12-28-10.
31. ^ A blazer with a hoodie? Deoveritas Archived 11 November 2019 at the Wayback Machine
32. ^ Grossman, Avidan (3 February 2021). ""The Best Zip-Up Hoodies Are So Much Cooler Than You Remember"". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 3 February 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
33. ^ ""The Best Zip-Up Hoodies for Men"". Rolling Stone. 12 May 2020. Archived from the original on 5 March 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
34. ^ Roth, Nick (31 March 2020). ""Hoodies: Zip-Ups vs. Pull-Overs (A Definitive Guide For Garbage People)"". Archived from the original on 17 June 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
35. ^ ""The 20 Best Hoodies for Men"". Gear Patrol. 2 February 2021. Archived from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
36. ^ Geographies Of Indigenous-Based Team Name And Mascot Use In American Secondary Schools PDF Archived 1 August 2020 at the Wayback Machine, pp. 2–3
37. ^ Jonsson, Patrik (6 July 2013). "George Zimmerman prosecution leaves jury to untangle lies and justification". The Christian Science Monitor. Archived from the original on 8 July 2013.
38. ^ Geraldo Rivera: 'Leave the Hoodie At Home' Archived 15 February 2018 at the Wayback Machine Fox News Channel via Talking Points Memo (23 March 2012)
39. ^ Geraldo Rivera apologizes for 'hoodie' comment Archived 2 May 2015 at the Wayback Machine Politico (27 March 2012). Retrieved on 03-28-12.
40. ^ "Tragedy Gives The Hoodie A Whole New Meaning". NPR.org. Archived from the original on 1 March 2020. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
41. ^ Fluehr-Lobban, Carolyn (2018). Race and Racism: An Introduction, 2nd edition. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 240\. ISBN 9781442274600. Archived from the original on 18 April 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
42. ^ Elan, Priya (27 February 2021). "Nine years after Trayvon Martin's killing, hoodies still spark debate". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 27 February 2021.
43. ^ Taulli, Tom (15 May 2012). "Mark Zuckerberg: The Power of the Hoodie". Forbes. Archived from the original on 18 May 2012. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
44. ^ McGregor, Jena (10 May 2012). "The art of Mark Zuckerberg's hoodie". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 15 November 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
45. ^ "Oklahoma lawmakers considering ban on wearing hoodies in public". ABA Journal online. 8 January 2015. Archived from the original on 30 January 2018. Retrieved 13 January 2015.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hoodies.

* v
* t
* e

Clothing

* History
* Industry
* Technology
* Terminology
* Timeline

Headwear|

* Beret
* Cap
* baseball
* flat
* knit
* Crown
* Hat
* boater
* bowler
* fedora
* homburg
* top
* Helmet
* Hood
* Kerchief
* Mask
* Turban
* Veil

Neckwear|

* Bands
* Choker
* Collar
* Clerical
* Lavallière
* Neckerchief
* Neck gaiter
* Necktie
* ascot
* bolo
* bow
* kipper
* school
* stock
* Scarf
* Tippet

Underwear
and lingerie|

| Top|

* Bra
* Camisole
* Undershirt

|

Bottom|

* Diaper
* Training pants
* Leggings
* Panties
* Plastic pants
* Slip
* Thong
* Underpants
* boxer briefs
* boxer shorts
* briefs

Full|

* Bodysuit, adult
* Bodysuit, infant
* Long underwear
* See-through
* Teddy

Tops|

* Blouse
* cache-cœur
* crop top
* halterneck
* tube top
* Cycling
* Kurta
* Mantle
* Shirt
* dress
* Henley
* polo
* sleeveless
* T
* crew neck
* Sweater
* cardigan
* guernsey
* hoodie
* jersey
* polo neck
* shrug
* sweater vest
* twinset
* Waistcoat

Bottoms|

| Trousers|

* Bell-bottoms
* Bondage
* Capri
* Cargo
* Chaps
* Formal
* Go-to-hell
* High water
* Lowrise
* Jeans
* Jodhpurs
* Overalls
* Palazzo
* Parachute
* Pedal pushers
* Phat
* Shorts
* Bermuda
* cycling
* dolphin
* gym
* hotpants
* running
* Slim-fit
* Sweatpants
* Windpants
* Yoga pants

|

Skirts|

* A-line
* Ballerina
* Denim
* Men's
* Miniskirt
* Pencil
* Prairie
* Rah-rah
* Sarong
* Skort
* Tutu
* Wrap

Full-Body
Wear|

| Suits and
uniforms|

* Ceremonial dress
* academic
* court
* diplomatic
* Folk
* Jodhpuri
* Jumpsuit
* Military
* full
* mess
* service
* sailor
* combat
* Miner
* Pantsuit
* Political
* Religious
* cassock
* clerical
* vestment
* School
* Prison
* Workwear
* boilersuit
* cleanroom
* hazmat
* space
* scrubs

|

Dresses
and gowns|

| Formal, semi-
formal, informal|

* Backless
* Bouffant gown
* Coatdress
* Cocktail
* little black
* Evening
* ball gown
* debutante
* Plain
* Prairie
* Princess line
* Strapless
* Wedding
* Wrap

|

Casual|

* House
* Jumper
* Romper suit
* Sheath
* Shirtdress
* Slip
* Sundress

Coats
and
outerwear|

| Overcoats|

* Car
* Chesterfield
* Covert
* Duffel
* Duster
* Greatcoat
* British Warm
* Guards Coat
* Greca
* Over-frock
* Riding
* shadbelly
* Trench
* Ulster
* Cloak
* opera
* Paletot
* Pea
* Polo
* Raincoat
* Mackintosh

|

Suit coats|

* Frock coat
* bekishe
* rekel
* Mess jacket
* Suit jacket
* Blazer
* smoking
* sports
* Teba
* Tailcoat
* dress
* morning

Other|

* Apron
* pinafore
* Blouson
* Cagoule
* Cape
* ferraiolo
* Inverness
* Mantle
* monastic
* royal
* mozzetta
* pellegrina
* Coatee
* Cut-off
* Gilet
* Jacket
* down
* flight
* goggle
* Harrington
* leather
* mackinaw
* Norfolk
* safari
* Jerkin
* Lab coat
* Parka
* Poncho
* Robe
* bathrobe
* dressing gown
* Shawl
* Ski suit
* Sleeved blanket
* Windbreaker

Nightwear|

* Babydoll
* Babygrow
* Blanket sleeper
* Negligee
* Nightgown
* Nightshirt
* Pajamas

Swimwear|

* Bikini
* Burkini
* Boardshorts
* Dry suit
* Monokini
* One-piece
* Rash guard
* Sling
* Square leg suit
* Swim briefs
* Swim diaper
* Trunks
* Wetsuit

Legwear|

* Sock
* Hold-ups
* Garter
* Pantyhose
* Stocking
* Tights

Footwear|

* Boot
* Dress boot
* Flip-flops
* Sandal
* Shoe
* Dress shoe
* Court shoe
* Sneaker
* Slipper

Accessories|

| Adornments|

* Armband
* Belt
* Boutonnière
* Coin purse
* Cufflink
* Cummerbund
* Gaiters
* Glasses
* Sunglasses
* Gloves
* Headband
* Handbag
* Inro
* Jewellery
* Livery
* Muff
* Pocket protector
* Pocket watch
* Sash
* Spats
* Suspenders
* Wallet
* Watch

|

Non-worn items|

* Hand fan
* Umbrella
* Walking stick

Dress codes|

| Western|

* Formal
* morning dress
* white tie
* Semi-formal
* black lounge suit
* black tie
* Informal
* Business casual
* Smart casual
* Casual

|

Related|

* Clothing fetish
* Clothing swap
* Costume
* creature suit
* Halloween costume
* Cross-dressing
* Environmental impact
* Fashion
* haute couture
* made-to-measure
* ready-to-wear
* Fur clothing
* types
* Fursuit
* Global trade of secondhand clothing
* Laundry
* Laws
* List of individual dresses
* Reconstructed clothing
* Right to clothing
* Vintage clothing

Clothing portal
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template