Hoodies have been part of our culture for over a century, and they’re still trending.
Ever since the 1930s, when the United States company Champion made the first hooded sweatshirt, these garments have been popular.
What makes a hoodie the perfect apparel item for girls and guys of all ages?
The thick material is warm enough for any weather, and we’ve had plenty of time to combine style with comfort.
Now, hoodies still serve the original purpose of keeping us warm during the long, cold winters, but they do so much more.
You’ll see hoodies on crowded streets in a heatwave, too. The key is to wear it with style, and this guide shows you how.
The Default Hoodie Look
What’s a hoodie, anyway? Champion’s very first hoodies were designed as heavy sweatshirts with a hood attached to the back of the neck.
They were intended to keep their workers warm in upstate New York, where the winters tend to be especially bitter cold.
Hoodies today don’t have to be as thickly lined and heavy, but they’ll still have the default long sleeves and hood attached.
They’re often worn in place of sweatshirts or jackets, are versatile enough for almost any event, and everyone should have one in their wardrobe.
Why You Need a Hoodie
If you’re always cold, your favorite hoodie can double as your jacket.
Look for one that has a thick material as the inner lining and carry it everywhere you go. You never know when that chill will creep in.
Hoodies are also the favorite accessory for people who want to be stylish without much effort.
Since a hoodie goes with jeans, leggings, khakis, and more, you don’t have to put a lot of thought into your outfit, and you can still head out of the house looking good.
If your climate gets a lot of precipitation, a hoodie takes the place of an umbrella.
Rain, snow, and mist aren’t fun to walk through, even if you’re just trying to get into your car.
Fighting to get an umbrella opened and closed is a hassle most of us skip for that short period. Instead, throw your hoodie up from the back of your neck, and you have instant moisture protection.
It works great in a pinch, but if there’s a lot of rain or you’ll be outside a while, go ahead and grab that umbrella.
The sweatshirt material will absorb water, so your hood won’t protect you for too long.
Casual or Classy? A Hoodie Works
Today’s trends and styles bring hoodies into every occasion.
If you want to look sporty, casual, or classy, the hoodie can create the style you want. It just depends on what you wear it with.
Casual looks are simple to make. All you need is cheap hoodies, a pair of relaxed, faded jeans or your favorite leggings or sweatpants, and sneakers.
The look is so versatile you can wear it to school, shopping, or out to eat.
Need to step it up and go for a little more than casual? Grab a stylish hoodie made from bamboo or another material that doesn’t wrinkle or fade.
Pair it with nice jeans or khakis and some boat shoes.
This look works well for informal business meetings, job interviews where you don’t have to dress formally, and other occasions where you want to look smart but not upscale.
However, if you wear your hoodie under a jacket, make sure the hoodie is longer than whatever is over it.
Working Out? Add a Hoodie to Your Sport Uniform
Hoodies are the ideal sportswear, too. Most athletes start out with their daily workout in the morning, when it’s chilly.
Leave the house with a hoodie on and your sports clothes layered underneath.
As you start going through your regimen of exercises, whether it’s running, football, or hitting the gym, you can take the hoodie off when you warm up.
In really cold weather, a thicker hoodie keeps you warm as you do your routine outside, but if you know it’s going to get hot, stick with a thin hoodie.
It’s common to see people running in hoodies, too.
They fit well over a tracksuit and are loose enough to not be restrictive.
For many runners, the goal is to sweat and burn calories, so they’ll leave the hoodie on for the whole distance, no matter how warm they get.
Jeans and Hoodies? Absolutely!
We all have our favorite go-to pair of jeans that we wear multiple times before we wash them (admit it, it’s okay!). Your hoodie can be just like those jeans.
Wear it a few times, then throw it in the washing machine for a refreshingly clean feel.
Hoodies match any pair of jeans you have, whether they’re denim, stonewashed, black, white, or something else.
However, if your favorite pair is lime green or hot pink, you’ll want to make sure your hoodie is a color that doesn’t clash.
Solids like black or white are good choices for anything that isn’t a basic denim blue or khaki color.
Shoes and Hoodies: The Last Touch
You know what pants, shirts, and jackets to wear with your hoodie. The final touch to your overall look is in the shoes you put on before you walk out the door.
Most people will wear sneakers with their hoodies. High-tops, low-tops, athletic shoes, or some classy sneakers finish the look.
The right pair of sneakers can turn a casual style into something a bit more professional or vice versa.
Boat shoes, hoodies, and khakis go well together for the business look.
And if you’re trying to make a formal style work with a hoodie, and you can pull it off, why not add high heels?
Yes, a hoodie is that versatile. Ultimately, it depends on your fashion sense, how you accessorize, and the type of hoodie you use.
You could easily have a hoodie for every type of occasion hanging in your closet. No one has to know that you’re using the hoodie to get out of thinking too much about what to wear!