Every wardrobe contains at least one sweatshirt. Or at least it should. That’s because the sweatshirt is one of those iconic clothing items for many reasons. It is warm and comfortable and can be layered over and under other garments. It also crosses over many different demographics ranging from students and athletes to top fashion trendsetters. No other piece of clothing comes close to the versatility of the sweatshirt. In this article, we will take a closer look at the origins of this closet staple and see what the future may bring to this casual, easy-to-wear, easy-to-clean piece of streetwear.
In The Beginning
The origins of the sweatshirt can trace back to football and women’s underwear. Sure, that may sound a bit odd, but stay with us here. It was in 1926 when Benjamin Russell, Jr., a quarterback for the Alabama Crimson Tide, decided to take action. He was attempting to find an alternative to the thick woolen uniforms players wore at the time. Not only were the uniforms bulky, but they were also uncomfortable. They itched and caused a lot of chaffed skin.
Russell’s father owned a clothing manufacturing company and helped create a practice jersey that inspired the union-suit top worn by women. Thick cotton was the material of choice due to its breathability. They were collarless and designed as pullovers. In other words, the players were wearing what we would know as sweatshirts. The trend took flight, and the Russell Manufacturing Company expanded in 1930 to produce sweatshirts.
From Football To College
Sweatshirts eventually started appearing throughout college campuses in the US. The sporty look, the comfortable design, and the feel of the garment made it a favorite of students. By the 1960s, sweatshirts took on a new look with college names printed on them, replacing t-shirts as the go-to unofficial uniform of college students. However, the trend kept moving, and in the 1970s, t-shirts and sweatshirts were the preferred methods of making statements through clothing.
Today, sweatshirts are a staple in the campus scene. University bookstores contain racks in team colors worn for class, but at the game, parties, for curling up on the couch to study, and beyond. There are as many variations of the sweatshirt as there are places to wear them. They come in short or long-sleeved styles, pullover or zip-up designs, buttoned, crop-top, fur-lined, oversized, graphic, hoodies, and more.
To Streetwear And The Future
We can credit the skateboarding and surfing culture for pulling the sweatshirt into streetwear territory. The garment’s functionality made it a hit with surfers who took advantage of how sweatshirt material absorbed moisture, making them the favorite item to pull on and wear as soon as they got out of the water. It wasn’t long before sweatshirts started displaying logos of well-known surf brands, which bonded them to surf culture.
Skateboarders found the soft quality of sweatshirts practical as an added layer of padding, crucial if a boarder took a spill. As a result, it turned the sweatshirt into a piece of required boarding equipment. In addition, just like for surfers, sweatshirts became covered in skateboard logos and lingo. Therefore, making them even more desirable to the skateboarding community, cementing the garment’s place in streetwear.
Keep Up With The Trend Through Wholesale Buying
If you are launching an online clothing store or responsible for keeping the inventory at a brick-and-mortar retailer, sweatshirts have got to be in your stock. Their popularity warrants priority. The best way to purchase sweatshirts in bulk is through a trusted wholesaler like Bella + Canvas. By filling your inventory with bulk orders, you can meet the demand as sweatshirts sell at all times of the year.
Plus, with wholesale buying, you can access products from top designers. Your choices will include high-end variations from the best-known names in the fashion industry, keeping your product line current and on point. You will also have access to higher-end fashion sweatshirts with sleek designs and the highest-end sweatshirt styles that focus on streetwear with materials such as leather, satin, and neoprene in their construction.
The Future of Sweatshirts Is In Hip-Hop
The most recent trending wave that has captured the sweatshirt is from hip-hop culture. Although this revolution can be traced back to the South Bronx of New York in the 1970s, hip-hop has become much more than just music. The culture includes a unique style of walking, talking, wearing, and eating. While breakdancing and graffiti tagging are hip-hop-associated, the dress code continues.
The hip-hop look was simple. It included brand-name sneakers paired with baggy pants, a fitted cap, a lot of jewelry, and a sweatshirt or sometimes layering the sweatshirt under a jacket. Hoodies were also standard. Today, the look is often confused with streetwear but does have a distinct difference. Hip-hop sweatshirts are usually partially hidden behind giant pieces of jewelry like chains or oversize pendants, uncommon in streetwear.
Final Thoughts
The sweatshirt has come a long way from being a solution to bulky woolen football uniforms’ itching and chafing issues. Instead, they morphed into the casual clothing item of choice by students on campuses across the country. Thanks to streetwear and hip-hop, sweatshirts can be found everywhere and in every person’s clothing collection. They have even become fashion icons in designer collections.
Sweatshirts variations include zippers, buttons, no sleeves, hoodies, and more but are ideal for comfort and warmth. You will find the style you like in the preferred color without much problem. Plus, sweatshirts are so versatile you may need more than one in your closet. Once you try one, you may find you can’t go without it and need more to fit your various needs.
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