The History of Sweatshirthoodies
Whether you’re repping your favorite collegiate team or trying to form the perfect outfit, the sweatshirt is a go-to for everyday style. Originally cotton practice jerseys, these super soft garments absorb sweat to keep athletes cool and comfortable.
Today, you can find hoodies in a variety of fabrics. The most common are sweatshirt fleece and French terry, which is smooth on the outside and fluffy on the inside.
Origin
The sweatshirthoodie traces its roots to the US where it was first introduced in 1920. Designed as an alternative to itchy wool practice jerseys the cotton version proved more effective at sweateshirthoodies absorbing perspiration. The hood was later added to the sweatshirt by Champion Products when they developed methods to sew thicker fabrics. The resulting garment quickly became popular as a workwear item in East Coast factories and a military training uniform by 1930.
Today it is worn by sportsmen and women and has also become part of streetwear fashion. It is a versatile piece of clothing that can be paired with shorts, pants or jeans. It is the perfect choice for lounging around the house, going to the gym or for a casual stroll. It can also be a great addition to a more formal outfit when combined with a pair of slim fit pants.
While its sartorial potential is undeniable the hoodie has often been associated with subcultural rebellion. This is largely due to its adoption by youth driven communities and its emergence as a staple of gang and street culture. The image was reinforced by stoner comedies and the widespread perp posters of the Unabomber, who wore an aviator style hoodie.
This trend continued in the 1990s when the hoodie made its way onto international runways as designers began to embrace and incorporate streetwear influences. Dolce & Gabbana referenced hip-hop with a hoodie that read “Hip-Hop C’est Chic”, while Bernhard Willhelm’s hoodies featured skull ‘n’ crossbone prints and Harlequin patterning.
Fabrics
A good sweatshirt or hoodie should be made from soft fabrics, so that it’s comfortable to wear. The fabric should also be breathable and sweat-absorbent. Cotton and fleece fabrics are good choices for hoodies, and there’s also jersey knit, which can be used to make a softer sweatshirt with a more figure-hugging fit. Other fabrics like wool and polyester aren’t as warm as cotton or fleece, but they’re still great for cold-weather hoodies.
Sweatshirts and hoodies can be worn in many different ways, depending on the intended look. For example, you can pair a hoodie with a skirt and peacoat for an outfit that’s more formal or dressy. Or you can wear a hoodie with jeans and boots for a more casual style. Hoodies are also popular with kids, so you can find a variety of styles that are ideal for children to wear.
The popularity of hoodies can be attributed to many different factors, including cultural influences and fashion trends. They’re a modern wardrobe staple and are often associated with streetwear and hip-hop culture. However, they have also become popular with people of all ages and demographics. Some hoodies feature a message or slogan that reflects the wearer’s beliefs and values. For example, you can find hoodies with the Ubuntu logo, which represents the spirit of sharing and interconnectedness.
Styles
Long before they were the uniform of hooded athletes and the go-to for TikTok stars, sweatshirts were made for comfort and practicality. They are made in knit fabrics, which create a loose and comfortable fit and come in different textures such as regular knit sweaters, cable-knit, or ribbed sweatshirts. Usually, the fabric is cotton cloth, but there are also wool and cashmere options for those who prefer more formal wear.
Sweatshirts look best with jeans and sneakers, but can also be worn in a smart-casual context with chinos or dress pants. Depending on the color and style, they can even be worn in a business environment with dark colors for a more formal look. For women, there are cropped hoodies which sit around the belly button line for a more flattering silhouette.
A hoodie, on the other hand, is a more versatile garment and can be worn with almost anything. It is normally the oversized version of a sweatshirt and has cords that peep through the hood for tightening, and it often features the trademark “kangaroo pocket” which spans from side seam to side seam (even on cardigan-style hoodies).
Some hoodies are made with fleece, which gives them a soft and fuzzy appearance. Others are also made with other materials such as marled gray French terry and top-stitching, giving them a more rugged and streetwear look. These types of hoodies are particularly popular among the streetwear community, and they are also endorsed by some of the biggest fashion houses like Ralph Lauren.
Embroidery
Sweatshirthoodies can be embellished with embroidery, which adds a personal touch and gives the garment an original look. The embroidery can be as simple or elaborate as the embroiderer sweateshirthoodies desires to suit their design ideas and skill level. Embroidery can be done by hand or with an embroidery machine.
Before starting the embroidery process, a piece of paper or fabric known as a stabilizer should be attached to the back of the sweatshirt. This is a necessary step because knit fabrics can stretch and distort during the stitching process if they are not properly stabilized. The paper or stabilizer helps prevent these issues. It is also easy to remove after the stitching is complete.
The next step is to mark the pattern on the fabric with a pencil or air-erasing pen. This will help ensure that the marks line up perfectly with the embroidery hoop’s crosshairs. Once the marks are made, the hoodie can be hooped and ready for embroidery.
It is important that the hoodie fits comfortably within the embroidery hoop, and that it is not too tight or too loose. It is also important that the embroidery design has plenty of open space to avoid puckering. Embroidery can be created using several different techniques, including French knots, appliqué, and cross-stitching. The appliqué technique involves sewing pieces of fabric onto the shirt to create a design, while the cross-stitch technique uses X-shaped stitches to form a geometric or patterned effect.