From Hoods to Hoodiebooks

Yes, readers, apparel evolves like everything else on planet earth. But not everything evolves at the same pace.

Sometimes, evolution needs a nudge.

That’s why we combined our greatest learning tool – books – with one of the most popular pieces of clothing of all time, the hooded garment, or Hoodie, as we call it today.

The history and evolution of books is a topic for another time. Let’s discuss where that stylish piece of clothing you might be wearing right now, came from.

UTILITY FIRST

A hood protects its wearers’ heads from cold, rain, and in some cases, unwanted attention. That’s where things got started several thousand years ago.

It wasn’t long until the human penchant for aesthetics crept its way into this utilitarian garb.

Hoods became fashionable and were a staple in the wardrobes of everyone from the Egyptians to the Romans to the Chinese and reached a high point in Europe during the 12th and 13th centuries.

THE HOOD IN EUROPE

The word hood derives from the Anglo-Saxon word hōd, from the same root as the English word ‘hat.’

This garment appeared in England at last as early as the 12th century and may have found its way there by way of the Normans, who often wore short hooded cloaks. Monks all over Medieval Europe often wore hoods (then called a cowl) attached to a tunic or robes. Likewise, peasants and other outdoor tradesmen wore chaperons or hooded capes.