UK Prime Minister David Cameron’s notorious advice that people should all ‘hug a hoodie’ has been much publicised and discussed. After 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 should be so.
For many totally law-abiding teenagers, the humble hoodie is a warm, comfortable clothing choice and nothing more. Personalised hoodies have grown to be especially popular among the younger generation, being a great way showing your support for a club, team, group or cause. Plenty 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 the greater part of youngsters wear hoodies, the only ones who make it in to the media are those that are around no good. This could lead the elderly to assume that it is young thugs and criminals alone who wear hoodies. This could imply 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, isn’t the norm.
Nasa Hoodies Another element which can make people wary of hoodie wearers, whether they wear personalised hoodies or otherwise, is the condition and design of hoodies and promotional hoodies. You will no doubt have observed signs in shop windows which read: ‘NO HOODS IN STORE’. The point that hoodies have an, eponymous, hood may appear obvious but it is something 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, simply because their faces are hidden. While 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 just a little bit of class snobbery and concern with the young…a distressing cocktail when you think about it.
You will want to show that personalised hoodies are just as fun, lovable, stylish and friendly as the next item of clothing. Since personalised hoodies are fully customisable you can spread any message you prefer with them. Use personalised hoodies to demonstrate school pride, university affiliation and club membership.