What is a Hoodie?

A hoodie is the urban version of the traditional cotton or poly blend zipper-front or pullover, large-pocketed hooded sweatshirt. But this isn't your daddy's sweatshirt.

Hoodies are meant to be unique signature clothes with one-of-a-kind style. Hoodies have screen-printed designs on the back, sometimes running down the sleeves. Having the same hoodie as someone else is normally a faux pas and will probably result in the purchase of another hoodie. Hoodies can be tied around the waist when it gets too hot, but you won't see a hoodie tied around someone's neck unless he isn't moving.

A pullover hoodie features a single large pocket in front, while the zipped hoodie splits the pocket in two. Hoodie pockets are handy for carrying MP3 players, cell phones, your own candy into a theater, the items you took from your sister's room, or just about anything else.

Hoodies look smart for any occasion from the open-zippered, derring-do bathrobe look, a.k.a. hoodie-a-la-carte, to the dashing hoodie-under-a-hoodie formal dinner wear look, it's all good. Hoodies also make excellent sitting mats for that impromptu meeting in the park, or that aggravating wait in the alley.

Hoodies are generally not shared, so if someone asks if you want to wear his or her hoodie, graciously accept but be sure to check the pockets before entering a courthouse.

Finding a unique hoodie might be tough, so outsourcing your business can be key. Stand-alone hoodies can be found, especially when vacationing. Visit tourist shops and score a hoodie sure to score in your own hood.

Hoodies are a staple of surfers, skateboarders, snowboarders, and others who will never be sports-inclined at all. A beloved hoodie is revered, rarely washed and highly valued. The more miles you have on a hoodie, the more importance it acquires. Hoodies, like fine wine, only get better with age.

Written by R. Kayne