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Fleece, Hooded Pullovers and Hoodies! |
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Sweatshirts are referred to sometimes as “fleece wear”. The connection comes as much from the tactile characteristic of sweatshirts as from their physical construction. Fleece, per se, refers to a pile or napped fabric with a deep, soft woolly-style surface; typically the fleece is a multi-yarn fabric – identified by a soft napped interior and a smooth exterior. While this generally characterizes a fleece jacket, many sweatshirt designs can also be said to have a soft “hand” on the interior, a smooth one on the exterior. [Fleece jackets generally differ in terms of the nature of the exterior pile – whereas the exterior of a sweatshirt has generally a smoother, woven-like appearance.]
The hooded pullover sweatshirt has apparently been around since the Depression era, perhaps as early as 1936. While not especially popular [for the mainstream public, that is] the basic design was at least established, and the hooded version of the sweatshirt very gradually came to be regarded as a useful garment [again, almost exclusively in the athletic and college arenas]. Finally, after nearly a half century had passed, the hooded pullover sweatshirt actually became a fashion item in the 1990’s. Amazing. After almost 60 years. Well . . . . we all know that it often takes a long, long while for things to “catch on”, and this is certainly a case in point. An absolutely fabulous section of hooded pullover sweatshirts, aka hoodies, are presented here.
The crewneck sweatshirt is recognized by it collarless neckline – such as on a sweater, jersey or t-shirt – and it fits snugly at the base of the neck. With few exceptions, the “crew sweat” is a pullover garment, and without zipper on the front. In contrast, the hooded pullover sweatshirt has a seam at the neckline, to which is attached a hood that – unless covering the head – flops onto the upper back of the wearer. The hood itself typically has a drawstring, so that the hood can be tightened whenever one wishes to keep the cold wind or snow out. You’ll find a cool selection of crewneck sweatshirts.
Within the past ten years or so the hooded pullover sweatshirt has, owing to our American propensity to nickname almost everything, become known in some circles as “the hoodie.” No surprise there. Slang or not, hoodie definitely takes less verbal energy than “hooded pullover sweatshirt.” In no time at all hoodie has entered the jargon of the sports apparel world – never mind that of “the younger set”!
We should take note in passing, however, that hoodie has yet to make it into the mainstream American dictionaries. And it should be further noted that the term has been around for longer than just “the nineties” . . . for the very understandable reason that it has meanings in our world other than just connected to a certain type of sweatshirt!
Specifically, hoodie has Scottish origins, going back to the naming of the hooded crow. It’s commonly known in certain birding circles as the “hoodie crow”. [You knew that, of course!] But have you heard of our Northern Hemisphere Hoodie Day? In certain communities, folk are known to go outdoors, at noon on February 20th, and yell the phrase “Hoodie Hoo”, intended [if the gang shouts loud enough, apparently] to chase the winter blues and make ready for spring [one month later, naturally enough]. Well, okay, you knew that too. But did you know that there is something called the “Hoodie Theory”? Yes, there is. The hoodie theory postulates that . . . . . oops, we almost gave it away. For the adventuresome, if not also curious, we invite you to check online at a certain Web site accessible via “urbandictionary.com” and make your own discovery – as well as to add your own version of the theory [more likely]!
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• Online prices: For "blanks"
•Shipping: $10 if order < $250
•Shipping: 8.0% if order subtotal > $250 and 8% for custom orders
• Embroidery & Screen printing: Avail. by request, 25-piece minimum
• No international shipments
[except APO and FPO]
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