UK Prime Minister David Cameron’s notorious advice that we should all ‘hug a hoodie’ has been much publicised and discussed. After the London riots it has come under scrutiny again. Hoodies, certainly among the older generation, have evolved all sorts of negative connotations. Many young people, however, don’t realize 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 become especially popular amonst the younger generation, being a smart way showing 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 generally used in an effort to remember positive experiences. Why do hoodie-wearers have this type of bad reputation?
One possibility is that, although the the greater part of youngsters wear hoodies, the only real ones who make it in to the media are the ones that are up to no good. This could lead older people to assume that it is young thugs and criminals alone who wear hoodies. This could mean that all hoodies, even friendly personalised hoodies, get unfairly judged and maligned.
sp5der hoodie 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 wary of hoodie wearers, if they wear personalised hoodies or otherwise, is the condition and style of hoodies and promotional hoodies. You’ll no doubt have seen signs in shop windows which read: ‘NO HOODS IN STORE’. The point that hoodies have an, eponymous, hood may appear obvious but it is something can make people nervous because 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, due to the fact their faces are hidden. If you are unable to start to see the faces of large groups it could seem scary because of the insufficient human connection. Mostly, however, this prejudice against the humble hoodie is really a media construct, mixed with slightly little bit of class snobbery and concern with the young…an unpleasant cocktail once you think about it.
Why not show that personalised hoodies are simply as fun, lovable, stylish and friendly as the next item of clothing. Since personalised hoodies are fully customisable you can spread any message you like using them. Use personalised hoodies to show school pride, university affiliation and club membership.
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