The History of the Sweatshirt: Exploring Its Origins and Growth

If you look around a campus, a sports field, or even a busy airport, you will see one item almost everywhere: the sweatshirt. It is now so familiar that most people never stop to think about where it actually came from.

But the history of the sweatshirt is surprisingly practical. It was born from a simple problem athletes faced, and it slowly grew into one of the most universal pieces of clothing in the world.

As we explore the origin of the sweatshirt, it becomes clear that this everyday garment has had quite a journey. It moved from locker rooms to classrooms, from workwear to high fashion, and even into cultural identity.

Along the way, it also inspired the creation of the hoodie, a variation with its own story, its own milestones, and plenty of debate about who invented it first.

Understanding how sweatshirts and hoodies developed helps us appreciate why they remain so important today, especially for schools and organizations that want apparel that is comfortable, long-lasting, and easy to personalize.

The History of the Sweatshirt

Many people assume the history of the sweatshirt began in the mid-1900s, but its origins are tied to a much earlier moment. The first versions appeared in the late 1800s, around the 1880s, when college athletic programs were just beginning to organize formal training sessions.

Coaches noticed that their players needed something warmer and more comfortable than the scratchy wool uniforms they were wearing. So, they introduced thick cotton and wool “training shirts” that could absorb sweat while keeping athletes warm during outdoor practice.

At this stage, no one used the term “sweatshirt.” These pieces were simply functional garments meant for hard workouts, not everyday wear. It was not until the 1920s that the word “sweatshirt” began to take hold.

Colleges like Yale and Harvard helped popularize it when they issued upgraded versions to their teams. These newer designs featured ribbed cuffs, a pullover shape, and a relaxed fit that made movement easier.

Little by little, what began as a training essential started to make its way into student life, and the foundation for the modern sweatshirt was set.

How the Sweatshirt Became a Global Fashion Icon

When people trace the rise of the sweatshirt, they often focus on the early athletic roots, but its real breakthrough into mainstream culture happened much later.

Long before sweatshirts became popular, wool pullovers were the norm, which answers the common question where did sweaters originate from. Their earliest forms can be traced back to the British Isles, where fishermen wore heavy knit garments for warmth. That early origin of sweater design eventually inspired more comfortable cotton pieces. While several companies contributed to its evolution, Benjamin Russell Jr. is widely credited with creating a more breathable cotton version in the 1920s for football athletes.

Fast forward to the 1970s, and everything changed. Streetwear culture began to take shape in New York and Los Angeles, and the sweatshirt suddenly became more than a training essential.

Hip hop artists, skateboarders, and creative youth turned it into a straightforward way to express identity through graphics, colors, and bold logos. This change was a significant one because a report notes that the global sportswear market, which includes sweatshirts, has consistently grown and was valued at over 300 billion USD in 2023.

Major brands quickly recognized the trend, and even luxury labels followed, which proved that a garment once designed purely for practicality had fully entered the world of fashion.

The Hoodie’s Rise in 1990s Culture

By the time the 1990s arrived, both sweatshirts and hoodies had settled into a completely new role. Hooded garments themselves have been around for centuries, but the modern hoodie took shape in the 1930s, when sportswear manufacturers added a hood to the standard sweatshirt to help workers and athletes stay warm outdoors.

Over the years, that simple adjustment became the foundation for the broader origin of hoodies as a cultural staple.

In the 1990s, this evolution accelerated. Hip hop, skate, rap, and street art communities embraced hoodies and oversized sweatshirts as part of their day-to-day identity. The pieces were practical, easy to move in, and ideal for bold graphics that signaled affiliation, creativity, or even defiance.

For many young people in urban areas, a hoodie was not just clothing, but a form of personal expression.

Fashion designers recognized the change and began experimenting with new cuts, colors, and detailing. Hoodies appeared on runways with structured silhouettes and unisex designs, which blurred the line between streetwear and high fashion.

The cultural impact of this moment is further made clear by a report that estimates the global streetwear market at roughly 185 billion USD. This is proof of how central pieces like the hoodie have become in shaping modern style and identity.

The Modern Sweatshirt

When you look at the sweatshirt today, it is clear how far it has come from its early days on athletic fields. Understanding the long history of the sweatshirt helps explain why it remains so widely used.

What began as a practical layer for warmth and movement has become a garment people rely on in schools, universities, workplaces, and community settings. Its comfort and adaptability make it a natural choice for both everyday wear and group identity.

The same is true for hoodies. A quick look at the history of the hooded sweatshirt shows how a garment designed for outdoor workers and athletes gradually worked its way into mainstream culture.

Eventually, the hoodie became not just functional but also symbolic. Today, it appears in everything from student organizations to corporate retreats, creative events, and casual fashion.

What defines the modern era is the level of personalization people expect. Sweatshirts and hoodies serve as ideal canvases for chenille patches, embroidered designs, team names, and brand logos. They help people feel connected to a group while still expressing something personal.

Whether someone is representing their school, promoting a cause, or simply wanting something unique, the modern sweatshirt offers the flexibility to do all of that. It continues to evolve while staying rooted in the traditions and practical beginnings that made it so enduring.

Why the Sweatshirt’s Legacy Still Matters

When you take a moment to look back on the long history of the sweatshirt, it becomes clear why this garment has stayed relevant for well over a century. The same evolution shaped the hoodie, which moved from functional workwear into a defining element of modern culture.

Personalization is what brings this long history into the present. Currently, people want apparel that reflects their experiences, their achievements, and the groups they belong to.

That is where quality craftsmanship makes a real difference. At Anything Chenille, we take pride in helping schools and brands create custom sweatshirts, hoodies, and letterman jackets that people genuinely enjoy wearing.

With high–quality work, competitive pricing, and dependable service, we make the customization process smooth and meaningful. Contact us today and order yours to make a mark through this essential fashion staple.