The hoodie began life as a sweatshirt, designed in the 1920s to keep football players from becoming too hot in thick woolen jerseys. Just a few years later Knickerbocker Knitting Company (later Champion Products) added a hood to the sweatshirt to help laborers, such as dockworkers and cold storage workers, warm without too much bulk. Soon, the zip-front followed, creating an all-purpose jacket that stood up to all but the harshest cold.
By the 1970s, hoodies had become popular among urban teens. But Rocky Balboa finally turned the blue collar emblem into a fashion icon that has grown more popular with every passing year.
Today, everyone from athletes and children to soccer moms and movie stars wears hoodies. Most brands (such as Gildan, Haynes, Jerzee, Fruit of the Loom, American Apparel) offer superb quality at affordable prices. Others, such as Dolce & Gabbana, can cost more than $700!
Hoodies are in such demand, in fact, that businesses of all sizes have found them to be the ideal way to promote their brands. Hoodies are rarely covered up by an overcoat — making a product image, logo or message visible to thousands of people at malls, stadiums, and on the street.
Naturally, a customized hoodie is perfect for school sports teams, class trips, charity walks and marathons. But they also add an element of fun for family reunions and other social group events. Employees display their pride when they wear their company’s hoodie to and from work. And nonprofit organizations often resell customized hoodies to raise much-needed funds while promoting their good name throughout the community.
Today, hoodies can be screen printed or embroidered with simple or highly elaborate logos, brand names, positioning lines and more. In addition to the classic sweatshirt, they’re available in lightweight fleece, canvas and a variety of cotton blends.
The combination of colors and styles is virtually unlimited, as well. With the addition of a logo, the hoodie communicates a memorable brand story every time it’s worn. And, because their quality allows them to last, they can be one of the most cost-effective ways to promote a business, charitable cause or sports team.
Hoodies have come a long way from the cold, damp docks of the 1920s. Combining the best of style and function, they are a unique way to make a wedding, company picnic, or family reunion more memorable, or to create a more integrated brand strategy for your nonprofit organization or business!
