Wear the men's hoodie this season

The hoodie has become a staple of men's style. We go into detail about its history, its characteristics and how to wear it.

Lovers of comfortable clothes have nothing but rejoice, men's fashion is putting more and more relaxed clothes in the spotlight. Among these, the hoodie, which is gradually taking its place in luxury clothing, especially under the rise of the athleisure style. Before you rush to put yours on, here are some rules to follow for a sharp and comfortable style.

The origins of the hoodie

Like a lot of men's clothing, the hoodie had humble beginnings, first in the sports world. The American brand (particularly in vogue today) Champion started making hoodies in the early 1930s. The hood was the main novelty in this new one, it was added in order to protect the athletes from the elements. At the same time, university sports teams were expressing their need for warmer winter clothing, and it was no surprise that this sweatshirt was adopted by them. In the 1960s, he then became popular among American youth.


The following decade saw the rise of hip-hop culture, first on the streets of New York, then in all major cities. During the 1970s, the hooded sweatshirt (or “hoodie”) was popularised by the actors of this movement, such as graffiti artists and break-dancers. Then in the 1980s, the skater movement adopted the hood, followed in the 1990s by the actors of the gangsta rap movement. So much so that at the end of the century, the hoodie became a symbol of social rebellion and belonging to a subculture.


Twenty years later, sweatshirts and hoodies have not disappeared from the radar and are tending to gain in popularity.

How to choose a hoodie


There are two main categories of hoodies: those that close with a zip and those that pull on. The zip models are as much made to be worn open as closed, which makes them more versatile. They can be put on and taken off without having to mess your hair up, which is important if your hairstyle is rather worked. Finally, they are generally more fitted and therefore go well with dressier styles.


The sweaters that slip on are wider, their cut is cut less close to the body. They offer more comfort but result in a less defined silhouette. These sweatshirts correspond more to what is a classic model, which favours comfort and warmth. It will be more difficult to wear them in dressy looks, but they will match very well with casual ensembles.

The ideal fit for a hoodie

As with all clothing, the hoodie must be well-fitting to fit you, otherwise the result will not be very convincing. This means that it should be relatively close to the body, without being tight. There should be a slight excess of fabric on the shoulders, for comfort, and the fabric should follow the shape of the torso and waist.


If the hoodie is too large, it will immediately create a sloppy effect. It will also be difficult to pair with other garments in a layering style , as it will create inelegant folds of fabrics. Ideally, you would therefore need two hoodies: one rather fitted for style, the other larger for sport.


The goal is not for your sweatshirt to be tight. It should leave enough room to put on a polo shirt, t-shirt or shirt underneath while still allowing you to move. But without leaving too much room either, so that you can easily put on a  jacket or any other garment.

The fabric of the hoodie

Unsurprisingly, the right fabric choice for a hoodie is cotton. But more precisely, it is a cotton jersey (jersey corresponding to a fine knitted mesh), which has the merit of preventing air from penetrating through the garment while absorbing perspiration and allowing the skin to breathe. It is also the cotton of the sweatshirts of the first hours.


To identify if your hoodie is of good quality, look at the joints between the different parts. If they are knitted together, it is a good sign. Conversely, these are only different pieces assembled and sewn to hold together, they will last less time.


You can also set your sights on more luxurious pieces, such as cashmere or cotton-cashmere hoodies.

Some style ideas for the hoodie

With jeans

It is a classic but very effective combination. It is ideal for casual styles, typically for weekend departures. You can have a little fun with the variation of colors, for example by creating a monochromatic look (white sweatshirt and light gray jeans) or vice versa which contrasts (blue jeans and gray sweatshirt for example).

With a denim jacket

The denim jacket is definitely one of the basics of the male wardrobe. It will be a very good ally with the hoodie, since it will superimpose itself very well on it. The only rule to keep in mind is to create a little contrast between the sweatshirt and the jacket, to give a little relief to your style. If you insist on achieving a monochromatic look, no problem: just make sure your clothes display different patterns to find this relief effect.

With a blazer

If you've ever read the article on the smart casual style , it's possible that the idea of ​​pairing hoodies and blazers has gone ting in your head. And for good reason: the sweatshirt is more casual, while the blazer is more dressy (or “smart”). The association of the two therefore fits naturally into this style.


To successfully mix these two garments, it is imperative that your sweatshirt is thin. Otherwise, you risk looking like the Michelin man, and chances are that's not the desired result. Finally, do not hesitate to add a little contrast between the two for a relaxed effect, or conversely go for identical or close colors for a more dressy style.


With a bomber jacket

The bomber jacket is still in vogue right now, especially among street style enthusiasts. But it is also found among those who like dressy looks, in more refined versions. Whether you are in one case or the other, the hoodie will go very well with a bomber jacket.


If it is large, you can afford a slightly larger hoodie; Conversely, if your bomber jacket is rather thin, make sure your sweatshirt is too.