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 Fruit Of The Loom Plain BLACK Sweatshirt Jumper NO LOGO $12.56 Time Remaining: 22d 16h 39m Buy It Now for only: $12.56 |
 vtg 90s Nike Competitor Plus Sweat Shirt Embroidered Jumper Large 80s RARE $49.99 Time Remaining: 3d 16h 58m Buy It Now for only: $129.99 |
 Adidas Originals D Striped Scout Sweatshirt Jumper Brown Mens Size $39.21 Time Remaining: 16d 12h 23m Buy It Now for only: $39.21 |
 Hanes Plain BRICK RED Sweatshirt Jumper XXL 48 50 $12.56 Time Remaining: 3h 36m Buy It Now for only: $12.56 |
 NEW Large ASICS England 3 Lions Sweatshirt Jumper Long Sleeved Top IntTV247 $19.65 Time Remaining: 20d 2h 1m Buy It Now for only: $19.65 |
 Boys Hooded Sweatshirt Fleece Hoody Winter Tracksuit Top Jumper Jacket $23.50 Time Remaining: 12d 5h 54m Buy It Now for only: $23.50 |
 VINTAGE ADIDAS JUMPER SWEATER SWEATSHIRT TREFOIL INDIE CASUAL 80s 90s 44 46 XL $47.13 Time Remaining: 22d 7h 28m Buy It Now for only: $47.13 |
 FRUIT OF THE LOOM SWEATSHIRT JUMPER BLACK SIZE SMALL BN $10.99 Time Remaining: 18d 9h 20m Buy It Now for only: $10.99 |
 Adidas Jacket Rare Sample 50 Large zip up super cool Jumper sweatshirt $39.00 Time Remaining: 9d 7h 17m Buy It Now for only: $39.00 |
 Fruit Of The Loom Sweatshirt Jumper Red Blue Crew Neck Pullover Top XXL Free PP $15.70 Time Remaining: 29d 13h 29m Buy It Now for only: $15.70 |
 VINTAGE ADIDAS JUMPER SWEATER SWEATSHIRT TREFOIL INDIE CASUAL 80s 90s 40 42 M $39.27 Time Remaining: 23d 4m Buy It Now for only: $39.27 |
 Adidas Original Blue Label Mens XL Crew Primary Sweat Shirt Sweater Jumper $35.99 Time Remaining: 11d 7h 18m Buy It Now for only: $35.99 |
 MENS GANT USA ZIP UP FLEECE JACKET JUMPER SWEATSHIRT SWEATER TOP LARGE $1.56 Time Remaining: 9d 7h 2m |
 BNWT OAKLEY ZIP JUMPER SWEATSHIRT TRACKSUIT LARGE RP54 $36.13 Time Remaining: 24d 12h 8m Buy It Now for only: $36.13 |
 VINTAGE ADIDAS JUMPER SWEATER TANK TOP TENNIS JUMPER SWEATSHIRT 80S 38 40 M $39.27 Time Remaining: 22d 8h 36m Buy It Now for only: $39.27 |
 VINTAGE ADIDAS JUMPER SWEATER SWEATSHIRT TREFOIL VENTEX INDIE CASUAL 80s 70s L $47.13 Time Remaining: 22d 6h 19m Buy It Now for only: $47.13 |
 VINTAGE ADIDAS JUMPER SWEATER SWEATSHIRT TREFOIL VENTEX INDIE CASUAL 80s 70s L $47.13 Time Remaining: 23d 7h 14m Buy It Now for only: $47.13 |
 VINTAGE ADIDAS FOOTBALL JUMPER DRILL TOP SWEATSHIRT TRAINING SHIRT XS S 36 38 $39.27 Time Remaining: 4h 22m Buy It Now for only: $39.27 |
 ADIDAS ORIGINALS ADICOLOR BK6 TRIMM DICH SWEATSHIRT sz L JUMPER Sweater Black $59.99 Time Remaining: 19d 7h 39m Buy It Now for only: $59.99 |
 VINTAGE ADIDAS FOOTBALL JUMPER DRILL TOP SWEATSHIRT TRAINING SHIRT 42 44 L LARGE $39.27 Time Remaining: 2d 2h 21m Buy It Now for only: $39.27 |
 Mens Adidas Hooded Hoody Sweatshirt Jumper Black $34.18 Time Remaining: 7d 11h 47m Buy It Now for only: $34.18 |
 ADIDAS ADICOLOR BK6 TRIMM DICH SWEATSHIRT JUMPER sz XS $59.99 Time Remaining: 22d 8h 35m Buy It Now for only: $59.99 |
 BNWT Mens Youths BENCH Hoody Sweatshirt Top Jumper S $43.99 Time Remaining: 28d 10h 36m Buy It Now for only: $43.99 |
Is it Time to Hug a Hoodie?
Hoodies, or hooded sweatshirts as they used to be known, were first developed for labourers but were soon picked up by the sports market. Spurred on by Rocky, the trend persisted but not before fashion designers had realised that hoodies were an extremely flexible item of clothing. For one, they could be made into a great symbol of isolation, ideal for the hip-hop crowd whose angry lyrics about their outsider culture meshed well with half-hidden faces.
Surfers and skateboarders, the self-consciously cool crowd who spend a lot of time outdoors catching waves or grinding curbs, are also keen hoodie wearers. They see the tops as practical and trendy, with funky slogans or quirky designs. Most Californian golden boys have at least one hoodie in their wardrobe and would be surprised at the amount of bad press that this item has received in Britain. Then there is the frat boy trend; the wearing of hoodies with university logos by students who take pride in their place of study.
Unfortunately, the criminal element still receives far too many column inches for their hoodie preference. Hoodies have been at risk of being ostracised for their association with unruly groups of men or intimidating criminals, but this hardly seems fair. Their history is long, varied and filled with happy customers. Even the Bluewater shopping centre, which banned people from wearing Hodded tops inside a few years ago, still continued to sell them. Despite Tony Blair’s distaste for them, David Cameron balanced the political picture – even if Labour politicians derided his speech as ‘hug a hoodie’ propaganda.
But away from the froth of news and the raw edges of society are millions of ordinary men who do not want to carry an umbrella. After this year’s terrible summer their attitude is quite understandable. Umbrellas are hopeless in winds and simply not very ‘manly’, unless you take John Cleese as a role model. Men’s hoodies are superbly practical, comfy and trendy.
A new line of fashionable designs have filtered down to the high street from the catwalk, featuring bright colours, original designs, retro prints, and – occasionally – no sleeves. They are the garment in which the comfort of sport and the desirability of fashion collide. Isn’t it time that you hugged a hoodie?
About the Author
Elisha Burberry is an online, freelance journalist and keen movie-goer from Scotland. Her interests include travelling, cooking and photography.
Duncan: Palermo Jumper Show, 02/15/09