Hooded up

If there is one staple item of clothing in my closet, it's the hooded top or hoodie as some refer to it. I appreciate a good suit and tie combination too, but I'm a casual type of guy so hoods do me fine. X-Large, 100% cotton, tight cuffs, deep pockets and metal tipped draw strings work together to produce the finest soft goods gear.
The hooded top is closely related to sports wear. It's like the cool older brother of the sweat shirt, ready to get in the mix with sweatpants, jeans or even shorts. Even if tracksuit bottoms are still limited in use, the hoodie has filtered through to every level of highstreet fashion. From the full print colourful designs worn by Hip Hop affecianados to the slim fit sleeveless genre spotted on the catwalk.
There is just something about the hooded top that says "Too cool for school" and attracts those in search of non-conformity. With youth sporting their hoods up and hiding their faces, the British Parliament lobbied to have the garment banned. It was considered a distinct sign of disrespect to others and was frowned upon by many naysayers. The kids still wear their hoodies regardless.
According to the unofficial encyclopedia, Wikipedia, the hooded top has origins in academic dress and various cultures including the inuits. Inuit mothers wear an anorak garment called an amauti that protects the child from the cold and wind as they rest on their backs. Obviously, the hood does show purpose then. It's true that a hood keeps your head warm and shelters you from the wind and rain. If you have been running about and have ahead full of sweat, then the hood will cover that perspiration and avoid you catching a cold. As mentioned earlier, the academic role of the hooded top was the signification a hood had. Depending on the size, the hem line or the design, the hood had numerous meanings. The infamous Ku Klux Klan hoods worn by White Supremists is probably the darkest variety of the hoodie which by nature is casual and care-free.
So, why do I love hooded tops? Because that signify the break from compliance. The hooded top will always be a comfortable and warm item of clothing that I can rely on at any time of the day: first thing in the morning, out and about town, or chilling at night. To twist a common phrase, "It's all good in the hood!"