thePULSEFrom Hoodlum to Haute Couture
By Nicole Steina
It was once thought that anyone seen rocking a hoody (or hooded sweatshirt, for those of you who’ve been in a cave for the past five years!) was a hood or a thug. Nowadays, though, the hoody has grown leaps and bounds and can be found on anyone from the b-boys on the streets to the rich and famous. You can’t walk onto a college campus without seeing what has for years been an important part of any student’s wardrobe on campus. Partying the night before and waking up too late to shower and primp? Throw on a hoodie and some sweats and head off to class. It’s practically the college uniform, so no worries. There are so many different ways to wear the hoody and so many different styles to choose from that it’s perfect for any budget, any season, any occasion (practically ~ when they come out with a wedding hoody I’ll let you know!).
So before our very eyes this once dumpy and frumpy piece of clothing morphed into a must-have workout item and then became a fixture on the catwalks of Milan and Paris. Pick up any magazine lately and you will see Cameron Diaz, Victoria Beckham and just about every other hot celeb wearing one. Juicy Couture has cashed in on the craze with their wide line of velour hoodies for girls, and designer-of-the-moment Ed Hardy gives us uber-cool hoodies with phrases like “Love Kills Slowly.” For the men, Abercrombie and Fitch and Hollister seem to be the weapons of choice and the skaters and surfers among us go for Etnies and Roxy. Even upper-crust designers Armani and Dolce and Gabanna are jumping on this urban trend bandwagon and creating high-end designs for the who’s who of Hollywood and Rodeo Drive.
Whole Lotta Hoody
The classic zip up hoody has become the most popular. J-Lo first burst onto the scene with her velour hoody and pants sets and suddenly everyone was wearing one. This look is not just for the gym anymore! Girls are wearing it out to the clubs in a wide variety of hot colors. Buy it in a body-hugging size and material (velour and velvet are soooo sexy and touchable!) and it’s perfect if you want all eyes on you.
Guys, I haven’t forgotten you when it comes to the zip-up hoody: celebs like Eminem and Diddy have been sporting this urban style for years. As of late, men have been seen pairing the dressier hoody made of cashmere (don’t even THINK of going with velour!) or light weight cotton under a sport coat or blazer for a business casual look in the office or a smooth, sophisticated look at the clubs.
The pullover hoody burst onto the scene in full force in the 80s when skateboarding became hot. Skaters bought the biggest hoody pullover sweatshirts they could find, paired them with a huge pair of jeans and a pair of Etnies sneakers and found complete comfort and created a new trend that is still going strong. This over-the head-style is not for the fashion conscious ladies afraid of messing up their dos, but it’s for that lazy Saturday or Sunday afternoon with a pair of running pants and sneakers. And if you’re in college, chances are you’re already living in a hoody!
The hoody dress is the new must-have item of clothing every woman must have in her wardrobe. We are seeing the hoody dress on the runways of Fashion Week, the streets of New York City, and even around Worcester County. Once you have the basic piece, you can spice it up with a sexy pair of stilettos or dress it down with a pair of flip flops when heading to the beach. The hood can provide protection from the wind, but it can also lend a slightly mysterious look. Depending on the season, you can find this style in everything from stretch wool to gauzy linens to comfy cottons.
So what do the hoodies in your closet say about you? See if any of these apply to your style…
Big and Bulky: This type of hoody says that you are all about comfort. Many onlookers may label you as a punk or a thug but you just want to be comfortable.
Sexy & Cropped: These little numbers command others to “Look at me.” Some may label you a princess or a fashion plate. You are up on the latest style and you want everyone to recognize that.
Plaid or Flannel: Point me in the direction of the nearest Whole Foods Market! You may throw one of these on with a pair of corduroy pants and a pair of work boots and have many asking if you are a distant relative of Grizzly Adams. If you don’t want people to think you are a tree hugger or a granola lover, stay away from this one!
The Sports Lover: This style is commonly seen as a pullover hoody. It is plastered with your favorite team logo or name and it’s everywhere…wear this style and you will be a big hit at any Super Bowl party or baseball game.
Sleeveless: If you don’t have 2 tickets to the gun show and you are a man, don’t attempt the sleeveless look! You will look puny and more than a bit white-trashy, trust me! If you decide to wear one, be prepared for some to think that you are trying out for Rocky IV.
You may be asking yourself, how do I make my hoodies work for me? Well here are a few suggestions for the fashion challenged.
If you are heading to the beach you may want to consider a cute pair of platform flip flops paired with a hoody dress. If the wind picks up throw the hood up but still look cute.
Going out with the girls? Choose a cute little cropped zip-up hoody paired with a cute form-fitting camisole and a pair of jeans and stilettos for a fun flirty look. Going out with the guys to a bar? Grab a lightweight cotton or cashmere zip up and pair it with a casual sport coat and some looser fitting jeans and square toed dress shoes for a relaxed look.
Splurge on a designer pair of Coach or Louie Vuitton sneakers and a great purse to match and rock a more sophisticated hoody made out of canvas or denim and you have a great outfit for Friday post-work drinks.
The hoody has become a fashion staple and there’s a style for you no matter your taste or budget. Explore all of your options and have fun with it!
