A Guide To The Politics Of The Hoodie– Comfort Or Stereotype
Let’s be honest. Whether you opt for comfort or style in your personal dressing, the hoodie is undeniably a symbol of both. Hoodies can be ideal for the times when you just want to relax and not care about how you look. Amazingly, they are also a remarkable style statement when it comes to fashion, with countless celebrities seen out and about sporting them, both on the street and at events. They make those lazy moments enjoyable and those tasks easier to manage through the sheer comfort they provide. Through the years, hoodies have always symbolized individuality, personal statements, a mark of belonging to a specific thought, and even rebellion. Let us look at how hoodies have represented all of these through the years.
As A Symbol Of Youth And Fashion
Clothing, especially hoodies, is well-known to be a non-verbal communicator. Consumers do not purchase products merely for their material utility but also for their symbolic meaning and ability to express individuality and individual thought. For all its simplicity and comfort, the hoodie leads a dual life, with high quality graphic hoodies commonly showing up in high-profile celebrity events, while they also fit right in as streetwear essentials. The versatility that the hoodie provides in terms of its appearance and look, and its potential for being paired with other items of clothing and accessories makes for endless possibilities. It is not surprising then that it is the preferred garment for youth across the world today.
The Hip-Hop Influence
In the 1970s, the streets of New York saw a revolution in the form of the underground hip-hop music scene, where the hoodie saw acceptance as a street-style dominator. It is most probable that youngsters merely wore hoodies to keep warm while on the cold streets. During this time, the subliminal shift started happening from embodying comfort to hoodies being associated with a group, as well as making a fashion statement. As the youth started pairing their hoodies with baggy pants, chains, jewelry, and trainers, hoodies became more and more associated with hip-hop culture. Today, hip-hop and hoodies are almost synonymous and inseparable from each other.
From Popular Culture To Athleisure
Who can forget the images of the superstar Sylvester Stallone in the famous movie franchise throwing punches and giving it his all in the gym wearing a sweat-drenched hoodie? Movies like Rocky took the hoodie to a whole new level of popularity, making it associated with discipline, grit, hard work, and passion. It was slowly but surely crossing over to the mainstream.
The hoodie is today an integral part of the athleisure industry, from its humble beginnings in the 1930s to universities ordering them in bulk for their sports teams because of their sheer comfort and protection against the elements. During cold weather especially, the muscles can get too stiff to exercise freely, and this is why early morning walkers choose hoodies to keep themselves warm and get the best out of their workout. Hoodies are usually made from moisture-absorbing materials that absorb sweat. They are good for reducing the risk of slipping or losing grip on equipment.
Colleges
Seen as a symbol of resistance by many, the perception of the hoodie began to change through an unexpected source, which was college students. Starting from the 1970s, many colleges and universities in the West began their foray into school spirit clothing by putting their logos and mascots on hoodies for their students to wear. This led to people looking at the garment in a new light and a changed perspective, more favorable than before, since the hoodie was now being associated with people who were inclined towards the sciences, arts, and education in general and who had more sophisticated preferences. The negativity surrounding the common perception of the people who loved to wear hoodies lessened greatly because of this contribution of colleges and universities.
Ending Notes
The hoodie began as a humble garment made to keep workers, laborers, and athletes warm. Since then, it has transcended cultures and age groups and sparked various conversations and thoughts. Having become an example of modernity, it resonates with the rebel, the sophisticated, the disciplined, and the passionate on different levels. The hoodie has been reinvented, redressed, and reclaimed many times over by many who swear by it. It is indeed a symbol of the sheer power of the individual and his choices that can affect generations to come.
