At What Age Should You Stop Wearing Hoodies?

Hoodies have been a staple in fashion for a long time. In fact, the hoodie has been around since the early 1950s. The trend really took off about 25 years ago and hasn't slowed down much since then. So, as much as they are popular, is there a certain age when you should stop wearing them? What age is it?

Metamorphosis of Clothing: Depending on Your Age, What Should You Choose

As cold days are coming, many of us are starting to dig in our closets and look for ‘winter clothes’. Now, the term ‘winter clothes’ is changing over the years, and of course, as we get older our wardrobe is becoming ‘more serious’. So, when we say ‘winter clothes’ what is the first thought that comes to your mind?

There are people that think of jackets, coats, sweaters, scarfs, beanie hats, etc. But the first thing to come into the mind of many of us is in fact the girls or guys hoodie. We bet, many of you are picturing a cold winter day with snow everywhere, and you are in your cozy apartment, drinking some hot beverage in your favorite hoodie. Nice picture, isn’t it?

But you have come at a certain age, and you are now thinking ‘Yeah, that was nice, but I need to start dressing according to my age’. And the trend is saying it means you start wearing t shirts, dress shirts pants, dresses, and all kinds of other not so comfortable age. And for many people, this is the point in life when they realize they never wanted to grow up in the first place.

So, should you stop wearing hoodies, at all? At what age? At what circumstances? 

As colder days are coming, let’s find out how to dress appropriately regarding weather conditions and expectations.

Why Should You Stop Wearing Hoodies?

As cozy as they are, you shouldn’t wear them at all times and situations, especially if you are a grown person. Hoodies are more expected to be worn in casual situations, by young people. They are often related to teenagers, and children, and not so much expected from older people.

A hoodie portray adults dressing younger, they get the more frivolous look, and even if we often want to feel and look younger, it is not always desirable. So you should be very careful when you choose the time and place to wear your favorite hoodie. 

For example, if you have graduated, you are a smart, well-educated person, who is looking for a job (or just got one), you should try to avoid wearing a hoodie to a job interview (or in the office, especially if you have some big meeting coming up) because in that situation you want to look more serious and reliably, which you will not in a hoodie. 

So, if you want to start giving people pictures that you are a serious adult, on who they can rely, you should probably give up on this piece of clothing. At least in the public. 

What Is the Best Age to Stop Wearing Hoodies?

This is a tough one. Basically, for every person this age is different. There are people who wholeheartedly support everyone's style choice and won’t stop wearing them ever, others are just not that into sweaters and don’t wear them at all. 

The research says the right age to stop wearing a hoodie is different for males and females. Studies say that most men think the best age to stop wearing a hoodie is 24, while for women that number is 29.

However, those are just numbers, and you should wear whatever you want to wear. There is no law, that says it has to be that way. If you want to wear your favorite hoodie, you should do that, just remember to choose some casual situation to wear it. 

What Clothes Can You Wear Instead of a Hoodie?

Hoodies are everywhere—they're cheap, they're comfy and you can wear them year-round. But if you want to seem stylish and put together, you need something else to wear when it's cold outside. A hoodie is the easiest go-to fashion item for most people, but it's best to avoid wearing one in most situations. 

To stay warm, yet with some style, there are a variety of fashion choices you can make. 

For outside, there are all kinds of jackets, coats, blazers, and sweater cardigans you can choose, depending on the situation and temperature outside.

For inside, a great choice is a V-neck sweater over a slim T-shirt, a Polo shirt with long sleeves, an embossed crewneck sweater, a slim wool cardigan over a shirt. What to choose depends on the situation and level of your comfort.

When to Wear a Hoodie?

So far we have told you when not to choose a hoodie, and what to wear instead of a hoodie. But many of you must be wondering ‘Ok, but when is it ok for me to wear a hoodie even if I am past that certain age?’.

Of course, there is a time when it is allowed, yet preferably, to wear a hoodie. When you are in the comfort of your own home, you are spending time with your family, when you are going for a run (or some other kind of sport), when you are in nature, when you just want to be comfortable and relax. Just put on your most favorite hoodie and enjoy.

And don’t worry, everyone is allowed to sometimes feel like they are children again, to be cozy and enjoy their free time the way they like, and in the clothes that are most comfortable for them.

For the End

Even if some studies say that the best time to retire your favorite hoodie is: for men 24, and for women 29, the truth is, you can wear whatever piece of garment you want as long as you know when it’s appropriate to wear something. Thus, for a business meeting, you will preferably choose a shirt or a dress, but for a nice game night with a family, you can put on a hoodie. 

Frequently Asked Questions, Answered

Can 40-year-old wear hoodies?

When choosing a hoodie as a 40-year-old, the first thing to do is think about what you plan on doing with it. The popular hoodie has become a standard for comfort and protection from the elements, so the likelihood you’ll wear one for outdoor activities is high. On the other hand, if you are someone who is more likely to wear one in an indoor setting, consider what they are worn for by kids these days. Drawbacks to wearing one indoors include they are essentially a sign of youth, they are often the attire of the slovenly, and they can give off a poor impression to visiting clients.

How long should you wear a hoodie?

In theory, you can wear a hoodie forever. It will never run out of space because it’s infinite. You can take it off and then put it back on at any given moment.

Can you wear hoodies all year round?

Of course, you can wear your hoodies all year round. It’s obviously not recommended to wear your hoodies when it is summertime in your location or if you are visiting a tropical island so people can actually see your face. But with all the laws in our society today there is no doubt in my mind that if your hood was down and you were found to be wearing it in the summer with your face hidden, you wouldn’t be given too much crap about it. 

Are hoodies still in style?

Yes, they are, thanks to newer innovations they are more comfortable than ever before. Find out who makes the warmest hoodies here.

Despite the very public attempt at banning them in New York back in 2012 they are still very much in vogue with younger generations, who will wear them with jeans, formal suits, dresses and they even roll them up to wear them with shorts.

Why do teachers hate hoodies?

Teachers hate hoodies because when they are worn, it is impossible to tell if the students are paying attention to what they are saying. When students put their heads down, pull their hood up, and adopt their “daydream” look, teachers can clearly see they are not paying attention. The student can look right at the teacher and appear to be paying attention and this is how the hoodie foul works.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Olivia Poglianich          

Content Strategist

Olivia Poglianich is a nomadic brand strategist and copywriter in the ski and snowboard space who has worked with brands such as Visa, Disney and Grey Goose. Her writing has taken her all over the world, from a Serbian music festival to a Malaysian art and culture event. Olivia is a graduate of Cornell University and is often writing or reading about travel, hospitality, the start-up ecosystem or career coaching. Her latest interests are at the intersection of web3 and communal living, both on and offline.