One of the most popular forms of clothing are shirts or jackets with hoodies. These were first introduced by black Americans during the late 80s and 90s through events and movies. Because of this many people think of it as a form of black-owned clothing. However, is it really true that only blacks can be credited for creating the hoodie-based clothing range that we see today? Well, the answer is no.
If you are interested in knowing about clothing items and their history then you must know about the case of the hoodie. You might be surprised to know how this form of clothing came into existence and for what purpose.
The History of The Hoodie
1. The Early 20th Century
The first form of clothing consisting of hoodies was originally made by US and Canada-based companies during the 1920s and 30s. The main purpose of this was to help workers working in places filled with dust to protect their heads and faces. You might be surprised that the hoodie was not meant to be a fashion statement.
However, young athletes also started to wear clothes with hoodies after World War 2 in order to protect their faces as well. Due to this reason, the hoodie became a symbol of athletic charm and resilience.
2. The 1970s and 80s
Blacks did not use the hoodie until the 70s. It was during this time that many black and even white youngsters started using jackets and shirts with hoodies as a symbol of rebellion. However, it was the black community who used such clothing the most.
The main purpose of this was the fact that the hoodie covered a person’s head making it difficult for one to trace a person’s face in the dark. This made such clothing a symbol of an antisocial and rebellious attitude among blacks. However, black celebrities also started wearing hooded clothing with designs in order to look appealing to most people.
3. 1980s to 2000s
Wearing clothes with hoodies became a major fashion statement once black rappers started wearing them. The main purpose was to look different than what most Americans expected their celebrities to look like.
However, clothes with hoodies became so popular that even many white celebrities also started wearing them as well. Soon such clothing started to be distributed in almost every country in the world. The hoodie not only became a fashion statement for youngsters but also a symbol of uniqueness and bold attitude as well.
What Is the Hoodie’s Future?
The future of clothing with hoodies looks rather bright. This is mainly because such forms of clothing are still in high demand in the current market worldwide. People wear these not only to make themselves look good but also to protect their head and scalp from dust and cold as well. Hence, the hoodie serves as something with more than one purpose.
Bottom Line
Hoodies from black-owned clothing brands proved to be a major game-changer in the world of fashion. You can expect that such forms of clothing will continue to evolve and get better in the near future. By looking at the history of this clothing you can say that the Western world as a whole and not just black people are responsible for giving birth to this form of clothing.