The History of the Hoodie: Who Invented It?
Which Style of Hoodie is the Best Hoodie for a Disney World Vacation?
Everyone loves a warm and comfy hoodie, which is why the hoodie is a classic piece of casual apparel that just about everyone owns. Who first created the hoodie and when did it happen? There’s quite an interesting origin story for the hoodie and the movie that really helped the hoodie to take off with icon status.
But not all hoodies are the same, so we' share what you need to know to decide which hoodie is the perfect pick for your cool season Walt Disney World vacation — or for everyday wear no matter where you are.
Listen to the Disney Travel Style Podcast
There are Many Different Types of Hoodies, So How Do You Pick the Right One?
Who First Invented and Created the Hoodie?
Today’s hoodies are everywhere, but the humble hoodie has a long and very interesting history that goes all the way back to the 1930s. The hoodie was first created by the Knickerbocker Knitting Company, when they basically sewed a hood onto a sweatshirt to add extra warmth for some workers. Today, that pioneering company is known as Champion.
After the hoodie launched, it next gained popularity with the military, as they found the design to be great for training purposes outdoors. Colleges and universities then gave the hoodie even more exposure and popularity in the 1950s and 1960s. This is when the hoodie became synonymous with sportswear and they style of branded logo hoodies that we all know today first emerged.
It was In the 1970s, that the hoodie gained its next bit of notoriety as skaters, surfers and the emerging rap and hip hop scene all gave the hoodie a more “cool” and urban street vibe. But the big bang for the hoodie came with the release of the iconic first Rocky film in 1976. Scenes of Rocky training hard in that plain grey athletic hoodie led to a boost in sales as the hoodie gained widespread global exposure for the first time.
Today, we all own hoodies and the hoodie remains very popular. There are more variations of the hoodie today than ever before and the hoodie covers everything from from sports, to street style, college athletics and functional casual wear. The hoodie is now firmly cemented as an iconic staple of casual wear apparel.
The Five Types of Hoodies
There are several variations of the classic original hoodie, but there are five main hoodie styles that we tend to see most often. These include:
Pullover Hoodie with Kangaroo Pouch
Pullover Hoodie, Cropped
Zip-Up Hoodie with Two Front Pockets
Pullover Hoodie no Pouch
Pullover Hoodie, Short Sleeved
Within each of these five hoodie categories there are several popular types and styles, mainly with respect to fabric weight and the cotton process used to create them. There are branded and non-branded hoodies and many color options and all-over-print hoodies as well. There are lightweight hoodies and heavier thicker hoodies.
The hoodie has become become both a fashion statement and a functional piece of everyday apparel. Unlike the original plain grey hoodie (the kind of hoodie that Rocky wore in the ‘70s), it’s rare nowadays that you’ll see a plain blank hoodie with no graphic or branding at all. The hoodie has gone fully commercial, a trend that took off in the 1990s.
Hoodies at Walt Disney World: Which Should You Wear?
At Walt Disney World, hoodies tend to appear in full force when the weather gets a little chilly and Cast Members roll out the hoodie racks for eager buyers.
So which hoodie is best? The most common and most popular hoodies are pullovers and zip ups. Pullover hoodies tend to be more popular and warmer, but if you prefer the convenience of a front zipper (the hoodie jacket), then the zip up hoodie can add more flexibility. Getting a little too warm? Just open up the zipper and cool off. They also make it easier to use when layering for weather.
Aesthetically, the pullover hoodie tends to have cleaner lines and a more traditional look – especially if a graphic is featured on the front (where it won’t be broken up by a zipper). The zip-up hoodie, on the other hand, tends to be more form fitting with a sleeker look.
Ultimately, the choice of which hoodie is best comes down to personal preference. Of course, most people have more than one hoodie in their wardrobe, so you can have the perfect hoodie for every occasion.
Visit the Shop at 1923 Main Street
Thank you for visiting the Disney Travel Style Blog and Podcast at 1923MainStreet.com. We hope that you have found this post useful. Subscribe to our mail list for the latest news and special offers. You can also follow along on social media @1923MainStreet, we love to hear from you.
Shop Apparel Inspired by the Magic of Disney
Looking for something a little different to add to your Disney wardrobe? Shop unique and original subtle Disney and Disney-inspired t-shirts, sweatshirt, hoodies, yoga leggings, dresses, swimwear and more in the shop here at 1923 Main Street.
Please be sure to follow us on X, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.
Thank you for listening and have a magical day!
Mike Belobradic and Amelia Belobradic