What's the Difference Between a Hoodie and a Jacket?

Very common question: How do you know what is considered for a jacket, what for a hoodie, and what for a sweater?

The main difference between a jacket and a hoodie is that hoodie can be worn inside as well as outside, but the jacket is usually worn just outside. 

Spot the Difference, Style the Comfort

The most common mistake in fashion is the difference between a hoodie and a jacket.

Anyone with even a passing interest in fashion has probably heard the terms ‘hoodie’ and ‘jacket’ used interchangeably, but when it comes to making sense of this particular sartorial puzzle, there is, in fact, a lot more to it than one might think.

It's really all about the details. A word hoodie is used for a simple and casual sweater that has a hood. A jacket is a more formal garment with a longer length.

As similar as they may look to a laic because they are garments made for the upper body and they can be worn on similar occasions as, on cold weather, there are lots of differences between jackets and hoodies. 

The Jacket Vs Hoodie: The Main Difference

A hoodie and a jacket, both very similar. Both keep you warm, make you comfortable, can have long sleeves, and a hood, and can be made from the same material. But on the other hand, there are many differences that divide those two.

Jackets are a piece of outerwear that you wear over your clothes to protect you from the elements. Jackets are usually made from many different types of materials like leather, leatherette, nylon, etc. It is great for when you need protection from low temperatures. 

A hoodie is a casual, often baggy sweatshirt made of cotton, wool, or synthetic materials (check how to wash a hoodie). It can be worn without a t-shirt underneath, as a cover layer, or underneath a jacket or coat. Can be used both indoors and outdoors. Can be used for sports, such as jogging with a weighted vest for running underneath, or for casual clothes, etc.

When we talk about jacket vs hoodie, there are many things to factor in when deciding what to were.

Why Choose a Jacket?

A jacket is a great choice when it is cold or windy outside. Jackets are often warm because they are made of materials like leather, nylon, etc. Stuffed with wool, cotton, or synthetic fibers, that make them even warmer. They have long sleeves and zippers, so it is easy to put them on and take them off when needed. They can be casual, sporty, stylish, even waterproof. They can be long or short. There are jackets for every season, depending on thickness. 

You should choose a jacket when you know you will go outside when you do not know in addition what to expect from the weather, and when you need to dress in multiple layers, so you need something that is easy to put and take off. 

Why Choose a Hoodie?

Hoodies are made of woven fabric, usually from cotton, wool fleece, or some synthetic knitted material. They can be sports of casual, and often makes you look younger, since they are mostly represented by the younger population.

Today, the sweatshirt is considered an essential piece of clothing to have in your closet. With their comfortability, versatility, and adaptability to all kinds of weather, it's easy to see why the hoodie has become so famous over the years. The sweatshirt is a great choice because it can be worn in different ways, with or without other clothes. 

So, you should choose a hoodie, when you need a comfortable piece of clothing, that can warmth you, and when you look for a style that can make you look younger. 

Lapel pins and enamel pins are also great for personalizing jackets and hoodies and add a decorative touch to the overall look. Custom lapel pins in particular can bring more creativity and inspiration. You can design your own pins, such as adding your favorite elements to the design, to avoid the embarrassment of looking like everyone else and to make your ensemble unique. Go to GS-JJ.com to customize your own pins! They offer lapel pin, and are a reliable enamel pin manufacturer with high-quality products for consumers!

How to Wear Them Appropriately?

You may have seen celebrities wearing them on the red carpet, or your friends wearing them in college. The trend of hoodies and jackets is so popular that you can even find people wearing them to work. 

How to wear jackets much depends on the type of jacket and occasion. You will probably do not want to wear a sports jacket with a cocktail dress or tuxedo, for that occasion it is better to go with a stylish coat.

If you are inside, you will not wear a jacket at all. For a warm spring day, you will probably want to choose a nice texas jacket, and for a cold winter night, you will choose a thick jacket stuffed with wool.

On the other hand, hoodies, and sweatshirts can be worn inside as well as outside. The rules are much more loosen when it comes to hoodies and sweatshirts.

Of course, those are off the limits when it comes to formal clothing. But, the advantage of hoodies is that they can be worn as only clothes as well as the top layer on other clothes. But the best thing about them is that they are really comfortable. 

Conclusion

When it comes to jacket vs hoodie, depending on the viewing angle, we can find a lot of similarities, as well as different characteristics of jacket and hoodie. They can be made of similar fabrics, they both are worn to warm people, they both can come in different styles, and they both are very popular clothing garments. 

On the other hand, they have some crucial differences. The jacket is for the outside, while a sweatshirt can be worn inside as well.  A sweatshirt can be worn with or without other clothes, while a jacket is used as a cover layer.

Commonly Asked Questions

Do hoodies have buttons?

That depends on the model. Some of hoodies have buttons, others don’t. Some have zippers. Some dress over the head.

What qualifies as a jacket?

Technically, an article of clothing such as a cardigan or a vest that covers the body but leaves parts of the arms and the top of the chest exposed is a jacket.

What is a hoodie with a zipper called?

A hoodie is indeed different. It has a zipper. It is called a cagoule. The word “cagoule” comes from the French “cagoule,” which means hooded coat. But the French word doesn’t have any exact English translation, so the hoodie remains the best one.

At what age should you stop wearing hoodies?

It depends on the reason and place you wear it. There isn’t an age where you should stop wearing hoodies, but it's important to wear them with respect and manners towards others. Read more on what age to stop wearing a hoodie here.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Aleksandra Djurdjevic          

Senior Content Creator

Aleksandra Djurdjevic is a senior writer and editor, covering snowboarding, skiing and trends in outdoor winter activities. She has previously worked as ESL teacher for English Tochka. Aleksandra graduated from the Comparative Literature department at the Faculty of Philosophy in Serbia. Aleksandra’s love for the mountains, getting out in the snow on her board, season after season, seeking wild snow adventures across the globe helps her continue to be a top expert at CSG.