In the past, I’ve written about some of the great inventions in the course of history, including electricity and the bicycle. Given the current frigid temperatures in our part of Wisconsin, I’d like to add another one – the hooded sweatshirt.
Under-sung, the benefits of the hooded sweatshirt sneak up on you. The default description is “something you throw on to wear in the fall or winter.” The reality is much deeper.
This past week, for example, we have had multiple mornings and full days where the temperature did not rise above zero. You could see your breath in our basement for three days (heating vents don’t do a great job down there). That tells you a bit about what it was like walking around the house. Frigid.
In those circumstances, you don’t hang around in flip flops, shorts and a tee shirt. In fact, you really don’t hang around in a flannel shirt and jeans. You require more.
When temps dip this low, and the indoor quality of your house is affected, you react by layering, and pulling out all your hooded sweatshirts. Why is it so perfect?
Several reasons, including, first, your head. With age, and the elimination of hair from your scalp, heat escapes more quickly. The top of your head gets cold. Your ears get cold. When this type of brutal weather hits, your face and nose get cold.
The hooded sweatshirt is the quick, easy solution. Pull it on, flip the hood up. Bam, your head, neck and ears settle in for a more comfortable ride.
Similarly, it helps with your hands. Hooded sweatshirts all have that front pocket to deposit your hands. During these low temperature periods, having that pocket as a quick hand warmer is essential. Coming in from taking the garbage outside, your hands go numb, so a quick warmup is provided by inserting your hands in the pocket upon returning to your indoor cave. This also allows you to keep your hands together for added friction and warmth.
A slightly less compelling reason the hooded sweatshirt is such a great creation is its convenience. Who cares what color it is? Who cares what types of pants you have on? Pull it out of your clothes drawer and yank it on. Ah. Comfort. Simplicity. Feels good.
If you’re going outside, you’re going to put on a winter jacket anyway, so who cares how you look around the house? Stains on the sweatshirt? So what? That just shows you’ve been working.
You can wear it for days. Just make sure to change your undershirt and take a shower.
Want to sleep with it on, and pull that hoodie up over your head? Go ahead. Who’s there to stop you? Who’s going to comment? Your spouse? Unlikely.
Wearing the hooded sweatshirt is perfect for a nap. Curl up on the couch while watching something monotonous on TV, pull a comforter on, pull up the hood and stick your hands in the pouch and zonk out. Very neanderthal.
Let’s salute the inventor of the hooded sweatshirt, whoever that person is, probably hiding somewhere staying warm with their head covered and hands clasped in front of them.
Under-sung, the benefits of the hooded sweatshirt sneak up on you. The default description is “something you throw on to wear in the fall or winter.” The reality is much deeper.
This past week, for example, we have had multiple mornings and full days where the temperature did not rise above zero. You could see your breath in our basement for three days (heating vents don’t do a great job down there). That tells you a bit about what it was like walking around the house. Frigid.
In those circumstances, you don’t hang around in flip flops, shorts and a tee shirt. In fact, you really don’t hang around in a flannel shirt and jeans. You require more.
When temps dip this low, and the indoor quality of your house is affected, you react by layering, and pulling out all your hooded sweatshirts. Why is it so perfect?
Several reasons, including, first, your head. With age, and the elimination of hair from your scalp, heat escapes more quickly. The top of your head gets cold. Your ears get cold. When this type of brutal weather hits, your face and nose get cold.
The hooded sweatshirt is the quick, easy solution. Pull it on, flip the hood up. Bam, your head, neck and ears settle in for a more comfortable ride.
Similarly, it helps with your hands. Hooded sweatshirts all have that front pocket to deposit your hands. During these low temperature periods, having that pocket as a quick hand warmer is essential. Coming in from taking the garbage outside, your hands go numb, so a quick warmup is provided by inserting your hands in the pocket upon returning to your indoor cave. This also allows you to keep your hands together for added friction and warmth.
A slightly less compelling reason the hooded sweatshirt is such a great creation is its convenience. Who cares what color it is? Who cares what types of pants you have on? Pull it out of your clothes drawer and yank it on. Ah. Comfort. Simplicity. Feels good.
If you’re going outside, you’re going to put on a winter jacket anyway, so who cares how you look around the house? Stains on the sweatshirt? So what? That just shows you’ve been working.
You can wear it for days. Just make sure to change your undershirt and take a shower.
Want to sleep with it on, and pull that hoodie up over your head? Go ahead. Who’s there to stop you? Who’s going to comment? Your spouse? Unlikely.
Wearing the hooded sweatshirt is perfect for a nap. Curl up on the couch while watching something monotonous on TV, pull a comforter on, pull up the hood and stick your hands in the pouch and zonk out. Very neanderthal.
Let’s salute the inventor of the hooded sweatshirt, whoever that person is, probably hiding somewhere staying warm with their head covered and hands clasped in front of them.