The Surprisingly Sweaty and Stylish History of Hoodies (and Why Graphic Hoodies Rule the World)

Let’s take a moment to appreciate the humble hoodie: that quintessential piece of modern fashion that says, “I’m chill, I’m cool, and please don’t talk to me”. Whether you’re a gym rat, a streetwear enthusiast, or just someone who desperately needs to do laundry, hoodies are the ultimate wardrobe MVP. But how did we get here? How did this cosy, kangaroo-pocketed, head-shielding garment go from practical workwear to a canvas for artistic expression and rebellion?

Spoiler: It involves monks, athletes, and a whole lot of cultural appropriation. Buckle up (or pull up your drawstrings), because we’re about to dive into the fascinating, occasionally ridiculous history of hoodies—and why graphic hoodies are their most glorious evolution yet.

Medieval Beginnings: Hoodies Before They Were Cool

Hoodies are older than you think. Like, medieval-old. Back in the 12th century, European monks were rocking hooded cloaks called ‘cowls’, looking both holy and mysterious. These garments were practical—perfect for staying warm in drafty monasteries—and made an excellent prop for keeping secrets in dimly lit corridors. Little did they know, they were inventing one of the most iconic silhouettes in fashion history.

Meanwhile, over in the peasant class, similar hooded garments were in circulation. While monks used them for piety, peasants wore them to avoid hypothermia while tilling fields. Basically, the hoodie was already balancing functionality and style long before influencers started pairing them with designer sneakers.

The Birth of the Modern Hoodie: Enter Champion

Fast-forward to the 1930s. The Great Depression was making life miserable, and cold warehouses were making workers even more miserable. Enter Champion, an American sportswear brand that decided to save the day by introducing the world’s first hooded sweatshirt. Initially designed for laborers and athletes, the hoodie quickly became a practical staple for anyone needing to keep warm while doing grueling work—or just running laps.

Champion’s hoodies weren’t about fashion—they were about survival. But, as history has shown us time and time again, functionality often lays the groundwork for style. By the 1970s, the hoodie had found its way out of warehouses and into college campuses, thanks to its connection to athletics and school spirit.

Rebellion, Mystery, and Streetwear: The Hoodie Gets an Edge

If the hoodie was a scrappy underdog in the ‘30s, by the 1970s and ‘80s, it had become the bad boy of fashion. Hip-hop culture embraced the hoodie as a symbol of defiance and individuality, while skaters wore them to look effortlessly cool while defying gravity. At the same time, Hollywood gave hoodies an air of intrigue and danger. Remember Rocky jogging through Philadelphia in his iconic grey hoodie? Or the menacing anonymity of the Grim Reaper-esque hoodies in Assassin’s Creed?

But the hoodie’s growing popularity wasn’t without controversy. By the 1990s and early 2000s, its association with rebellion had some people clutching their pearls. Shopping malls and schools started banning hoodies, terrified of their supposed connection to delinquency. (Because, clearly, the mere presence of a hood turns someone into a criminal mastermind.)

Of course, nothing fuels a fashion trend quite like a little moral panic. For every ‘no hoodies allowed’ sign, another designer added one to their runway collection. From skate parks to haute couture, the hoodie was now unstoppable.

Graphic Hoodies: Turning Up the Volume

At some point, humanity collectively decided that hoodies could do more than keep us warm and rebellious. They could make a statement. Enter the graphic hoodie: a wearable billboard for everything from bold artwork to snarky slogans.

Graphic hoodies exploded in the late ‘90s and early 2000s, fueled by streetwear brands like Supreme and Stüssy. These weren’t just hoodies—they were status symbols, dripping with exclusivity and culture. And let’s not forget band merch. Who among us hasn’t owned a black hoodie emblazoned with a slightly blurry logo of their favourite emo or metal band? (If you haven’t, are you even alive?)

Graphic hoodies became a cultural shorthand. They let you tell the world who you are—or at least who you want people to think you are—without uttering a word. Love anime? There’s a hoodie for that. Obsessed with cats and tacos? That’s disturbingly specific, but yes, there’s a hoodie for that, too.

The Hoodie’s Role in High Fashion

While graphic hoodies were dominating streetwear, the high-fashion world decided they wanted a piece of the action. Designers like Alexander Wang, Balenciaga, and Vetements elevated the humble hoodie to luxury status. Suddenly, you could spend 500 quid on a hoodie that looked almost identical to the one you bought at H&M or Primark, except it had a tiny logo stitched on the sleeve.

The hoodie’s ascent to high fashion didn’t just cement its status as a wardrobe essential—it also proved that this once-dismissed piece of clothing had transcended all boundaries. It didn’t matter if you were a skater, a CEO, or a university student skipping class; the hoodie was for everyone.

The Modern Hoodie: A Canvas for Creativity

Today, hoodies are more than just clothes. They’re a canvas for self-expression, an emblem of comfort, and, let’s be honest, the ultimate ‘don’t talk to me’ uniform. From tech startups to TikTok influencers, everyone is leaning into hoodie culture.

And graphic hoodies? They’ve reached new heights. Thanks to advancements in printing technology and a global appetite for bold, original designs, you can now wear art on your chest (and your back and sleeves). Whether it’s a trippy, surreal illustration or a sarcastic quip in Helvetica, graphic hoodies are the ultimate way to stand out—or blend in, depending on your vibe.

Why Hoodies Matter (Yes, Really)

At first glance, hoodies might seem like a frivolous topic. But they’re a perfect example of how fashion reflects culture. The hoodie’s journey—from medieval monk garb to modern streetwear staple—mirrors shifts in society, technology, and identity. It’s a reminder that even the simplest garments can carry a rich history and endless potential for reinvention.

Liberation League: Keeping the Hoodie Tradition Alive

At Liberation League, we take hoodies seriously (but not too seriously—come on, they’re hoodies). We’re committed to keeping the tradition of this iconic garment alive while bringing it into the 21st century with our retro rubber hose-inspired graphics. Because why settle for ordinary when you can wear a piece of art that’s weird, wacky, AND original?

The hoodie isn’t just a piece of clothing; it’s a statement. And we’re here to make sure it’s saying something worth listening to. Check out our collection here.