Vintage Hoodie

[EmergencyIan]

As far as when they were introduced... I don't recall seeing zipper hooded sweatshirts anywhere before the very end of the seventies or early eighties. At least, that's when they began showing up in department and sporting goods stores. And it seemed like a genius invention at the time, it was surprising nobody had thought of it before. Pullover hoodies are much older, they were ubiquitous and standard when I was a kid in the early sixties.

As it happens, I'm currently wearing a Russell zipper sweatshirt I got in 2000, a serious heavyweight garment, well-made, that cost around $40 when new. It's my all-the-time-in-my-thermostat-at-65-house wearer now, every day through the cooler months for several years. With wear and washing, the wrist knits have become thin and stretched, but otherwise it's held up awfully well: I must have zipped/unzipped it tens of thousands of times by now.

And at the other end of the scale... I just got a couple of pretty nice imported Fruit of the Loom-labeled ones, 60% cotton, in a local discount store for $8 apiece. They're nowhere near as well made as that old Russell, but they are darn good knockabout wearers for that price.

I remember the Russell Athletic sweats being very heavy and built like tanks. I was always impressed. I can recall that four decades ago their quality stood out. Now, that level of quality is not to be found.

- Ian

 

[Superfluous]

Between those two, buzz, and 3six, which do you like best?
Which is heaviest (some of their sites lack this detail).

Hoodies

The 3Six is the heaviest and also the best made. It is an amazing hoodie! That said, I tend to reach for the BRs more than the 3Six because the 3Six is sometimes too heavy for my warmer climate. If I lived where you live, the 3Six would definitely be my preference. The BRs are also heavy and rugged, but not quite as heavy as the 3Six.

Sweatshirts

For crew sweatshirts, my current favorite is Runabout Goods. I really like the construction and design, not to mention the colors. The National Athletic (vintage style) has a great design and some good colors, but I prefer the Runabout Goods (the regular, non-vintage style National Athletic sweatshirt is also pretty good, but not on a par with the others). Real McCoys sweatshirts are very well made, but less interesting (if that matters to you). I wear the lighter of the two RMC sweatshirt models -- the heavier model is equal to or heavier than the 3Six, and too heavy for my needs.

 

[Ernest P Shackleton]

Hmmm...13oz/yd 100% cotton for $104 and made in the USA or 12oz/yd 80/20 cotton/polyester for $60 and imported from somewhere. I consider both to be expensive sweatshirts. While I like the idea of pure cotton, I have to wonder if a blend is actually better. Less, or no shrinkage, so easier care. More durable in most cases. Retain color better. But also more static cling and pilling with the blend, which is awful in a sweatshirt.

I can't imagine spending $100 on a sweatshirt, regardless of quality and the other virtues. Then again, I wouldn't pay $60 for one either. I truly appreciate high quality clothing, but that's over the hump for me. But I know I could find a used Champion on ebay for $10 with a little patience and effort.

I was given a Coleman (the old outdoor gear maker) zipper hoodie, with big loft fleece lining, and the price tag said $100. I thought, "They're ****ing nuts." We all are.

 

[Fonzie]

Yeah I have 2 of the full zip version that are great quality.

Did you order them directly through their website?

 

[Ernest P Shackleton]

I did a tiny bit of research for the others who may be interested in the Champion Reverse Weaves. Thank goodness for ebay people taking photos of tags. In the 80s and 90s, Reverse Weave was made in the USA (some in Vietnam or Mexico) and a blend of almost entirely cotton (89%), a small percentage of polyester (8%), and a smidge of rayon (3%) for elasticity.