| The sweatshirt is perhaps one of the most basic | | | | nature of the garment, which is complimentary to the |
| forms of clothing on the planet. In fact, I believe it | | | | academic pressure of college and the students' desire |
| may be surpassed in simplicity only by the robe. With | | | | to concentrate on their studies. However, there is |
| its incredibly basic shape and construction, the | | | | another factor to be considered. College sweatshirts, |
| sweatshirt (or pullover, jumper or jersey, depending | | | | i.e. sweatshirts emblazoned with college names and |
| on what country you're in) is an article of clothing | | | | mascots, are extremely popular in modern U.S. |
| that anyone can wear. Although the garment's name | | | | culture. Hence almost all college students own at least |
| implies physical activity, sweatshirts have actually | | | | one sweatshirt bearing the name of their school, and |
| become the uniform of those either too busy or too | | | | wearing such garments are a way for students to |
| lazy to make an effort when dressing. Indeed, much | | | | show school spirit. |
| of the sweatshirt's popularity is due to the manner in | | | | Technically, there are subdivisions to the sweatshirt |
| which it simplifies getting dressed in the morning. | | | | category. Hoodies, for example, are sweatshirts with |
| Perhaps that is why sweatshirts are sported across | | | | integrated hoods. These are extremely popular for |
| the country by couch potatoes and college students | | | | both stylistic and logistical reasons. In sports, a hood |
| alike. | | | | gives the player added warmth by protecting the |
| Sweatshirts are usually made from thick cotton or | | | | head. In contemporary fashion, hoodies are trendy |
| cotton combined with another material, such as | | | | due to their associations with certain aspects of |
| fleece. They mimic the basic shape of the human | | | | popular culture. Some hoodies are basically |
| torso and are donned by being pulled over the head. | | | | sweatshirts with hoods, but others have zippers that |
| Many athletic teams, especially those in high schools, | | | | open along the garment's front. Such hoodies are |
| combine sweatshirts with sweatpants to create | | | | generally considered to be of a higher quality than |
| team uniforms. These uniforms are mostly used | | | | those without zippers. |
| during practices and warm-up sessions, being | | | | Sweatshirt fashions vary according to the trends of |
| considered too informal for competitive events. The | | | | the day. In the 1980s, sweatshirts were usually |
| benefit of a sweatshirt, aside from its simplistic | | | | baggy and long, and on women, the garments often |
| nature, is that it provides the wearer with a fair | | | | reached to just above the knees. During that decade, |
| amount of warmth at relatively little cost. The | | | | sweatshirts were usually decorated with bold designs |
| economic advantage of the sweatshirt makes it | | | | and bright neon colors. In contrast, the sweatshirts |
| additionally appealing to high school athletic teams, | | | | of today are usually quite formfitting and sit at or |
| who often have little financial support. | | | | just above the waistline. More reserved colors are |
| As previously stated, a large number of college | | | | now used and while decorations are still popular, they |
| students favor sweatshirts for daily wear, at least in | | | | are not as bold as those of 20 years ago. |
| the United States. This is partially due to the simplistic | | | | |