The origin

In 1920, Benjamin Russell Jr., a football player for the University of Alabama, invented the first crewneck sweatshirt.

Being dissatisfied with the discomfort of itchy wool garments, Russell Jr. approached his father with an idea for a more comfortable cotton design. His father, Russell Sr., turned this idea into a reality, which eventually led to the establishment of Russell Athletic Co.

The term “sweatshirt” made its debut in 1925, defining a collarless, long-sleeved, oversized pullover made of thick fleecy cotton.

Initially, sweatshirts were practical garments specifically designed for athletes to wear during training for traditional sports. They provided warmth and, as the name suggests, had the functional ability to absorb and induce sweat during exercise.

Over time, the design of sweatshirts evolved to include a front zipper, giving rise to the popular “hoodie” style. Champion Athletic was the first to market hoodies for football players to wear on the sidelines.

Sweatshirts, when paired with matching pants known as “sweat pants,” created an ensemble known as the jog suit, track suit, or sweat-suit. These outfits gained widespread popularity in the 1970s during the jogging craze.

Become more popular

In the 1960s, the potential of sweatshirts as portable advertising tools was discovered when U.S. universities started printing their names on them. Sweats adorned with university names became the preferred casual attire for students and parents, showcasing school pride.

Abercrombie & Fitch was a brand that successfully embraced the university trend and propelled it to mainstream success.

In the 1970s, the trend of slogan t-shirts naturally extended to sweatshirts. Recognizing the ease of customization and the impact of clever graphics combined with catchy phrases, sweatshirts became a means of personal expression for both designers and wearers.

The emergence of extreme sports like surfing and skateboarding in the 1980s, along with the rise of hip-hop culture, injected a new level of coolness into the world of sweatshirts.

For surfers, sweatshirts became a practical component of beachwear. They offered a convenient solution for quick warmth after coming out of the ocean and aided in drying by absorbing excess water. As surfing gained a strong following, various brands, with Quiksilver being one of the most successful, harnessed the sport’s popularity in their sweatshirt designs, particularly in the 1990s.

Skateboarders, who translated the vertical movements of surfing to flatland, also embraced sweatshirts. They appreciated the functionality of the heavy cotton fabric, which provided an additional layer of cushioning between their skin and the harsh concrete pavement.

Sweatshirt & hip-hop culture

Meanwhile, in the late 1970s, a cultural revolution was brewing in the South Bronx of New York City. Hip-hop culture emerged as a rebellion against disco and an alternative to gang life. It encompassed rap, DJing, breakdancing, graffiti, and fashion, eventually becoming a billion-dollar industry with global influence.

Early elements of hip-hop fashion, now known as “old school,” included sweat suits, Adidas or Puma sneakers, Kangol hats, and bold gold jewelry. Colorful sweatshirt ensembles were not only affordable and ubiquitous but also reflected the vibrant energy of graffiti murals. Moreover, they proved functional during breakdance performances. As groups like the Sugar Hill Gang and later Run-DMC gained recognition, the old-school look became synonymous with hip-hop style.

The numerous hip-hop fashion labels that emerged in the early 2000s persistently uphold the significance of the sweatsuit, making it a prominent feature in their men’s and women’s clothing collections.

Originating as athletic attire, the sweatshirt has achieved widespread dominance in the consumer market, fueled by the rise of logomania during the 1980s. Designers recognized the potential of the sweatshirt as a means to capitalize on branding. Until now, sweatshirts are still wide recognized from people around the world and keep becoming the hot trend items in young generation. Don’t forget to shop for more cute sweatshirts and integrate with us right today!