Few contemporary garments come close to matching the comfort levels of the modest hoodie. While often thought of as something worn by wayward teenagers or merely a strictly around-the-house piece, with a few sartorial adjustments, the hooded sweatshirt can be taken out into the streets and into (relaxed) workplaces. Here’s our Albert Review guide to wearing a hoodie (yes, as an adult).
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What is a hoodie
A hoodie is a sweatshirt, jacket, or jumper that includes a hood, often with a drawstring opening to adjust the hood size. Hoodies are typically made of thick cotton and lined with fleece, however, modern iterations of the hoodie include materials like terrycloth and thin ribbed cotton.
History of the hoodie
The hooded sweatshirt originated in the 1930s, as a predominantly utilitarian garment. First produced by sports apparel company Champion, hoodies were marketed to labourers working in cold upstate New York. The boxing drama film Rocky, released in 1976, gave the hoodie its street cred, cementing the garment’s iconic status. Since then, the hoodie has been co-opted by hip-hop culture, university students, young adults, and the fashion world.
A seemingly innocuous piece, the humble hoodie was the target of the UK Conservative Party’s wrath in 2006, with leader David Cameron making a speech suggesting that the hoodie was worn for criminal purposes more often than not. The Labour party rebutted this with their parody speech “hug a hoodie,” a testament to the hoodie’s divisive nature; both sartorially and politically.
How to wear a hoodie
Hoodies needn’t be confined to the house or neighbouring streets. Surprisingly versatile with a multitude of styling options, hoodies work perfectly well in non-lounging contexts. Here are the best ways to wear a hooded sweatshirt with style.
Pair it with tailored pants
Though jeans may be the first port of call when throwing on a hooded sweatshirt, pairing it with tailored pants elevates the piece, allowing it to be worn in – albeit casual – offices and workplaces. Try suiting separates, plaid or pinstriped pants, leather trousers, woollen trousers, or chinos, and team them with a neutral hoodie with minimal graphics.
Throw on a structured coat
Wearing structured outerwear like a trench or overcoat makes for a streamlined silhouette that offsets the casual nature of the hooded sweatshirt. For added interest, try a patterned overcoat; checks or plaid always work well.
Wear it under a blazer
Channel a high-low mix by wearing a hoodie with a blazer or suit. For an elevated take on athleisure, opt for a monochromatic look; all black or all grey is a foolproof option. Alternatively, tonal dressing in shades of beige, tan, and caramel also works well. Team your look with loafers, casual derby shoes, mules, or slingbacks.
Pull on some jeans
Ah, the old faithful. You really can’t go wrong by teaming a hooded sweatshirt with a pair of slim-cut jeans. To add a hint of luxury to the look, opt for a hoodie in a material like merino wool or cashmere, over a traditional fleece variety. Add a crew neck t-shirt underneath and a pair of leather sneakers, Chelsea boots, heeled ankle boots, or strappy pumps and you’re good to go.
Words by T. Angel
