UK Prime Minister David Cameron’s notorious advice that we should all ‘hug a hoodie’ has been much publicised and discussed. Following the London riots it has come under scrutiny again. Hoodies, certainly among the older generation, have evolved all kinds of negative connotations. Many teenagers, however, don’t realize why this will be so.
For many totally law-abiding teenagers, the humble hoodie is really a warm, comfortable clothing choice and nothing more. Personalised hoodies have grown to be especially popular amonst the younger generation, being a great way to show your support for a club, team, group or cause. Lots of youngsters get hooded sweatshirts made up as a keepsake from old schools, or fun group holidays. Hoodies are generally used in an effort to remember positive experiences. So why do hoodie-wearers have such a bad reputation?
One possibility is that, even though vast majority of youngsters wear hoodies, the only real ones who make it in to the media are the ones that are up to no good. This may lead the elderly to assume that it’s young thugs and criminals alone who wear hoodies. This could mean that all hoodies, even friendly personalised hoodies, get unfairly judged and maligned.
Contact with perfectly nice youngsters who wear personalised hoodies, or hoodies generally, may help the older generations to realise that the image of the dangerous, out-of-control youngsters in hoodies, is not the norm.
Another element which can make people wary of hoodie wearers, if they wear personalised hoodies or elsewhere, is the physical shape and style of hoodies and promotional hoodies. Travis Scott Hoodie will no doubt have seen signs in shop windows which read: ‘NO HOODS IN STORE’. The truth that hoodies have an, eponymous, hood may appear obvious but it is something which can make people nervous because it obscures the faces of wearers.
The images in the media of faceless gangs of youths in hoodies, even in personalised hoodies, can look particularly menacing, due to the fact their faces are hidden. When you are unable to start to see the faces of large groups it could seem scary due to the lack of human connection. Mostly, however, this prejudice contrary to the humble hoodie is a media construct, mixed with slightly little bit of class snobbery and fear of the young…a distressing cocktail once you think about it.
You will want to show that personalised hoodies are simply as fun, lovable, stylish and friendly because the next item of clothing. Since personalised hoodies are fully customisable it is possible to spread any message you like with them. Use personalised hoodies to demonstrate school pride, university affiliation and club membership.
