Hoodies for Men through the Ages

Although men’s hoodies are synonymous with modern times, dependent upon how loosely you wish to describe it, the history of the garment can be traced back to the Middle Ages.

During the thirteenth century catholic monks began to wear a cowl as a formal wear garment on special occasions, a tradition that endures today. The very first ceremonial cowls were fuchsia in colour with highly decorated hoods and worn on top of other day-to-day religious robes, but unlike today’s on-trend hoodies they were full-length and most definitely not a casual garment. However, the overriding and distinct factor that associates them with today’s counterpart garments was the hood.

But, the hoodie as a warm, casual throw-on waist-length garment did not make its appearance until the 1930s when an American sportswear specialist developed a range, designed to be worn by workmen in the ice-cold warehouses of New York. It was the warmth, primarily because of its fleece construction and the ease of use in being able to pull it on and off over the head when required that soon made it a popular garment with the warehousemen. By the onset of the 1970s the fleece hoodie had gradually worked its way into US traditional blue collar homes, well on its way to becoming a mainstream everyday garment.

However, it wasn’t until its appearance in 1976, worn by the central character Rocky in a film of the same name starring Sylvester Stallone that the popular appeal of the hoodie grew dramatically. In addition, it was being brought into mainstream wear and adopted around the same time by icons of hip-hop culture. Primarily, still a US-based phenomenon, the hoodie evolved as a fashion garment over the next 20 years during which time it became essential student-wear, athletic wear and was readily worn by surfers and skateboarders.

It started to make its appearance in the UK in the 1990s, at the same time as mainstream US designers like Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger, who based collections around them. Now, in the 21st century men’s hoodies are available in a variety of styles colours, lengths and materials. Both zip-up hoodies and those that are pulled over the head are extremely popular essential wear for today’s on-trend men.

Although primarily a young man’s item, hoodies are popular with all ages, and there are various different styles designed to be age-specific. Also known as zip-thru hoodies, ones that have a full-length zip are becoming extremely popular in brushed check, some with front pockets and others without; but very few with decorated hoods to match the original middle ages religious cowls!

Article Source: http://www.mycontentbuilder.com

Paul McIndoe writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.

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