A black hoodie is more than a comfortable layer, and the Smithsonian traces the garment to Champion Products in the 1930s, made for athletes and laborers who needed protection from the cold. After 2012 the dark hoodie also became a symbol of solidarity and protest against racial profiling. This is how to choose a black hoodie that fits well and lasts.
Black Hoodie: From 1930s Workwear to a Symbol of Solidarity
A working garment with a public history
The Smithsonian reports that Champion Products likely made the first hoodies in the 1930s for athletes and laborers who needed protection from the cold. In 2012, after the killing of Trayvon Martin, who was described to police as wearing a dark hoodie, the garment became a symbol of solidarity and protest, and the Smithsonian notes both the Million Hoodies March in New York and LeBron James's photo with teammates in hoodies. A black hoodie carries both stories: ordinary comfort and a larger public meaning.
Weight and fabric
The best black hoodie has some heft. A midweight French terry or a heavy cotton fleece keeps its shape and does not pill. Look at the stitching on the hood and the hem. A double-layer hood stands up on its own, and a ribbed cuff keeps the sleeves in place. Black fades, so choose a garment-dyed or pre-washed fabric if you want it to look deep after many washes.
Cropped, oversized or classic
A boxy, slightly cropped hoodie sits nicely over high-waisted jeans. An oversized one looks relaxed over leggings. A classic fit works under a coat. In our fashion dreams she wears a black hoodie under a camel overcoat and flat leather boots, on her way to a 9 a.m. meeting. The hoodie is allowed in any room if the rest of the look is deliberate.
Making it look intentional
Pair a black hoodie with something sharp: tailored trousers, a pleated skirt or a leather bag. Gold jewelry pulls it away from gym wear. Keep the hood down in dressy settings and the sleeves pushed up. Wash inside out in cold water to protect the color.
What I would skip
I would skip hoodies with a thin lining that bunch after a wash and an oversized logo that overpowers the look. A good black hoodie should feel like a favorite and look like a decision.
