WHY IS A SWEATSHIRT CALLED A SWEATSHIRT?

Sweatshirts are a staple piece of clothing in all our wardrobes. They are comfortable and easy to carry. But where did these come from? What's its story? The classic crew neck is where it all started. Despite the variety of sweatshirts that are available in the market today, the crewneck remains one of a kind and stands out from the rest of the sweatshirts for women.

Who's idea was it?

Benjamin Russell Jr. was on the football team for the University of Alabama and tired of the uncomfortable wool fabric that would lead the skin itchy and irritated after sweating in it for a few hours. He came up with the idea of all-cotton practice football jersey. In 1926, Benjamin Russell Jr took this idea up with his father, Benjamin Russel and soon enough, sweatshirts for athletes were born.

The first sweatshirt

Jr's father owned a manufacturing company that helped him create a practice jersey. The material of the jersey was thick cotton. These newly found jerseys were breathable and loose collarless pieces. This was the first sweatshirt that was made. The successful attempt made it possible for Russel Jr to replace the itchy wool Jerseys with these cotton ones. Soon enough, in the 1930s, Russel Sr established Russel Athletic Mills for the sole purpose of sweatshirt production. The company has grown ever since.

Where did the name sweatshirt come from?

We know sweatshirts today for their comfort and ability to keep us warm. But where did the 'sweat' fit in the sweatshirt? Given its historical context, sweatshirts were born as athletic wear. The original sweatshirt had a v notch on the neck to accumulate sweat buildup during the game. This function of the garment contributed to the name sweatshirt. Since these sweatshirts were comfortable and warm, they soon entered the fashion industry and plunged into popularity amongst the common public.

Sweatshirt as a marketing tool

In the 1960s, the sweatshirt's potential as a marketing tool was discovered when universities in the U.S. began printing their names and logos on them. It became a matter of pride to flaunt the sweatshirts with your universities logo on them. It was to show the respect and regard that these students carried with them. It was a remarkable effort at advertising on a relatively low budget and successful outcomes. With the simplistic yet clever designs, these sweatshirts became an expression for both the person wearing them and the person who designed them.

Entering mainstream fashion

After the birth of the sweatshirts, many manufacturers in America began experimenting with fabrics used in undergarment mills to create what we know today as a hoodie. Champion athletic apparel made sweatshirts to keep athletes and labourers warm and comfortable. Soon enough, the athletes began sharing their sports attire with their girlfriends, which paved the way for this sportswear to become a fashion statement. The trend spread like fire across America.

Intersection with fashion

Sweatshirts were quick to dominate the markets. Designers like Vivienne Westwood and Calvin Klein introduced designer logos on affordable sweatshirts and profited off of this commercial success of the sweatshirt. In the 1980s, Norma Somali began working on a collection of sweatshirts for women. Her collection was launched under the "Sweatshirt Collection", which had products designed entirely from sweatshirt fabric.

The sweatshirt has truly proved itself as a statement piece you can wear almost anywhere. The reinvention of the designs and styles confirms that sweatshirts will always be significant in the fashion industry.

Modora clothing is an online fashion brand based out of the U.K. We specialise in women's apparel. Our designers are actively working to bring you the latest fashion trends. You can now buy women's sweatshirts online at modora.co.uk. Visit our website and grab your favourite pieces today.