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 on the list of older generation, have evolved all sorts of negative connotations. Many teenagers, however, do not understand why this should 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 smart way to show your support for a club, team, group or cause. Plenty of youngsters get hooded sweatshirts composed as a keepsake from old schools, or fun group holidays. Hoodies are frequently 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 ones who make it in to the media are those that are around no good. This may lead the elderly to assume that it’s young thugs and criminals alone who wear hoodies. This may 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, could help the older generations to realise that the image of the dangerous, out-of-control youngsters in hoodies, isn’t the norm.
Another element which might make people cautious with hoodie wearers, whether they wear personalised hoodies or otherwise, is the physical shape and design of hoodies and promotional hoodies. You’ll no doubt have seen signs in shop windows which read: ‘NO HOODS IN STORE’. The fact that hoodies have an, eponymous, hood might sound obvious but it is something which can make people nervous since 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. If you are unable to see the faces of large groups it can seem scary due to the insufficient human connection. Mostly, however, vlone sweater against the humble hoodie is a media construct, mixed with slightly bit of class snobbery and concern with the young…a distressing cocktail when you think about it.
Why not show that personalised hoodies are just 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 prefer using them. Use personalised hoodies to demonstrate school pride, university affiliation and club membership.