Every year, as the nights draw in and temperatures begin to plummet, people rush to their wardrobes to pull out that fashion staple of the autumn/winter season, the humble jacket. Or is it the hoodie? Every year the fashion conscious among us get 'caught up' in the same debate - which is better in terms of keeping you warm and looking stylish throughout the cold season, the jacket or the hoodie?
Jackets are one of the oldest items of clothing in our history. The word 'coat' can be traced back to the Persians however, they have been a standard part of a person's wardrobe since as far back as the middle ages. Now there are jackets for almost any occasion or activity that you can think of.
The Hoodie has a similarly archaic provenance, having first been worn by monks in medieval Europe. It wasn't until the 1970s when hip-hop culture started developing that the hoodie really became popular, and this popularity continued well into the mid-nineties. By which time the hoodie had also found a home within the skateboarding and surfing cultures.
Within recent years however, the hoodie has garnered a rather undesirable reputation. Hoodies have often been used to conceal a person's identity whilst they engage in criminal activity. This has resulted in the, often unfair, stereotyping of anybody seen wearing the garment. Many bars and shops still exercise a 'no hoodies' policy, excluding those who choose to wear hoodies from their premises entirely.
Although the hoodie is still popular within many factions, there are those who have shunned it completely, because of its associations with crime, anti-social behaviour and the pocket of society, rather unkindly, referred to as 'chavs'.
Generally speaking, jackets tend to have more of an association with sophistication and formality, whereas hoodies are usually worn to complement a more casual look. Hoodies have the added benefit of offering you a little extra protection from the elements. However, the simple fact is that nowadays, both are available in so many different styles and fabrics that it really isn't difficult to find something to suit even the most discerning of tastes.
The important thing to remember when deciding whether it'll be a jacket or a hoodie keeping you warm this autumn/winter, is that you'll look your best in whatever you feel most comfortable in. If that happens to be a hoodie, then prove the naysayers wrong and wear it with pride.
Sometimes, the only way to change attitudes is to be brave enough to have the courage of your convictions. If you truly believe that it's about time that the hoodie shook off its bad reputation and once again took its rightful place as a warm and stylish necessity in anybody's wardrobe, then now's the time to stand up and be counted.
Author Resource:
If you'd like to update your autumn/winter wardrobe, then you can buy Penfield jackets dispatched from the UK by Street Casuals , who have 18 years of experience in the fashion industry. If, like these guys , you're passionate about streetwear and urban clothing, then Street Casuals offer an excellent selection of high quality clothes from globally sought after brands.