Multifunctional comfort wear for sports, travel, the office or simply to make a fashion statement. The hoodie. Everyone has one in their wardrobe, but the history of the sweater is not known among all. What is the story of this enduring fashion item?

Origin of the hood
The origin of the hoodie can be traced back to the Middle Ages. More specifically, to the outfits of capuchin monks. Their habit with cowl was the inspiration for what we nowadays call a hood. The first hooded sweater was made in the 1930s by the American Knickerbocker Knitting Company; the brand now known as Champion. The hoodies they produced were mainly worn by workers from cold New York warehouses. Athletes also wore the hooded sweater often to keep warm during sports.

Breakthrough of the hoodie
The real breakthrough of the hoodie is said to have happened in 1976. In the movie Rocky, the main character (played by Sylvester Stallone) is dressed in a gray hoodie, running through Philadelphia. This set the tone; in the blink of an eye the hoodie was famous and a symbol for misfits who do everything to get to the top of their game. Young people in particular were attracted to the sweater and the hoodie became thé trend in schools.

Rising star on the streets
The hoodie was not only a rising star among young people. It was soon discovered people could easily walk incognito on the streets with the hood over their heads. The sweater was gaining popularity among graffiti artists who could use the coverage while spray painting walls and trains. This gave the hoodie a rough reputation, also picked up by the hip-hop artists - often from the American hood. As a result, the sweater became an indispensable part of the street culture.

Popular amongst young & old
Despite the fact certain shopping malls and schools do not allow the wearing of a hoodie, the sweater is still immensely popular after all these years. With jeans, sweatpants or leggings underneath or even a stylish pencil skirt. The oversized hoodie may be worn as a dress, combined with long boots. The tighter sweater looks great on dad jeans or a maxi skirt. With or without pouch, sometimes with a zipper. The hoodie has many faces and is an fundamental addition to everyone's wardrobe. Ideal for printing and embroidery, very soft and comfortable to wear.

Want to know more about the hoodies from our collection and the possibilities? Check our site or contact HMZ Fashiongroup on +31 71 581 07 66 or via info@hmz.nl. We are happy to give tailor-made advice!