Origins of hooded garments
The history of the hood can be traced back to the 13th century BC, from the earliest known Assyrian text. Over 3,000 years ago, traditions of covering the head with a hood already existed in several religions of the time. Eventually, these cultural expressions spread from the Persian Gulf to Medieval Europe.
In the English language, the word “hood” derives from the Anglo-Saxon word “höd,” which has the same root as the word “hat.” In Medieval Europe, hoods, known as cowls, were popular among religious orders and worn by Catholic monks.
The 1930s: Invention of the hooded sweatshirt
The history of the hoodie as we know it goes back to the 1930s, when Champion Products, which started as the Knickerbocker Knitting Company, designed the first hooded sweatshirt. Originally an undergarment mill, the manufacturer produced its first sweatshirt back in 1919 and kept experimenting with thicker materials and sewing techniques.
One of the major innovations was the development of a heavy-duty cotton fleece called “Reverse Weave.” It minimized vertical shrinkage by being cut on the cross grain and addressed the shrinkage problems caused by laundry machines.
On top of that, smaller independent manufacturers took the existing crew neck sweatshirt design and modified it by sewing a double-layer hood around the neckline. Some also added a large center pocket to the front.
These new design additions were in response to the needs of outdoor and warehouse workers in the cold climate of New York. The added hoods protected laborers from the harsh weather conditions. Plus, the large center pocket was a useful hand warmer. Naturally, workers in breezy cold-storage warehouses welcomed this warmer alternative to their long underwear.
The benefits of hooded sweatshirts were also recognized by athletes and sports teams. In 1934, the University of Michigan invited Champion Products to create the first hooded sweatshirt for their sports team.
This resulted in the big, double-thick hooded sweatshirts that football players and track athletes wore on the sidelines in bad weather. They were designed with dropped shoulder seams so football players could wear them over shoulder pads. The garments became known as “side-line sweatshirts.”
The 1960s: Hoodies worn by top athletes
By the end of the 1960s, the hoodie had become a popular piece of sportswear. It offered comfort, warmth, and flexibility to suit different activities from running track to the soccer field.
During this time, the hoodie was well-known within a closed circle of college campuses and gyms. But, things were starting to change, and world-class athletes were also starting to embrace the hooded sweatshirt. In 1966, World Heavyweight Champion Muhammad Ali was photographed walking the streets of London in a white hoodie, taking the look across the Atlantic.
Muhammad Ali days before his fight with Henry Cooper, 1966. Source: ITV London via Facebook
The 1970s: A gray hoodie earns the Hollywood stamp of approval
A culturally significant moment came with the 1976 release of the “Rocky” movie. The now-classic film tells the story of how a kind-hearted amateur boxer, Rocky Balboa (played by Sylvester Stallone), gets a shot at the world heavyweight championship. Rocky came to embody the underdog, and his bare-bones workout gear reflected his origins.
A classic gray hoodie makes its appearance in an iconic training montage that shows Rocky’s determination to win the fight. In it, the hoodie is worn by someone who decides to stand up, work hard, and persevere against all odds—and the hoodie is front and center.
Source: Dressed Cinema
Coming off the success of the Rocky movie, hoodies were truly gaining momentum. In the late 1970s, New York City was a hub for emerging hip-hop culture with graffiti artists, dancers, and DJs on the scene.
Hoodies were a popular choice for graffiti artists looking for anonymity. Alongside its utilitarian function, the hoodie quickly became associated with counterculture. 
Source: BuzzFeed News
The 1980s: The rise of street fashion
During the 1980s, subcultures like hip-hop and skateboarding rose to the mainstream. Emerging from the Bronx, hip-hop culture carried an anti-establishment attitude, and the rugged working-class heritage of the hoodie fit well with groups like Run-DMC and Public Enemy.
Run-DMC at the Grammy Awards in 1988. Source: NBC News
In addition, skateboarding found its way outside the beaming heat of California and into colder climates. Skateboarders quickly turned to baggy cotton hoodies for comfort and style.
Lending itself to loose fits, skateboarding encouraged people to define themselves through their clothing and a rebellious attitude. Fashion was central to this ethos and the hoodie became an integral part of the skater lifestyle.
