We Bet What You’re Wearing Right Now Was Invented In WNY

Certain clothing items are essential for chilly, Western New York weather. Staples like thick boots, warm gloves, cozy coats and wooly hats are slowly creeping their way out of the closet this time of year after staying shoved in the back of the closet the past several months. 

But there’s one favorite wardrobe item of ours that we look forward to wearing the most. 

We dare you to find a Western New York local who doesn’t have a hoodie within arms reach this time of year, whether it’s crumpled on the bedroom floor or folded neatly in the bedroom drawer.

Even though they used to be seen as the gear of athletes and rebels, hoodies are now worn by anyone and everyone– and we’re here for it. And as it turns out, we have our own cold Western New York weather to thank for its invention.

Hoodies Were Invented Here In Western New York

The first known version of the hoodie was made by Champion in the 1930s, to keep workers in their Rochester, New York manufacturing plant warm during freezing Western New York winters. 

Now, you can find hoodies worn by anyone and everyone on chilly summer nights, snowy tailgates, and cozy fall adventures. 

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The next time you reach for your go-to hoodie on a chilly Western New York day, you can appreciate that these same “brrrr” inducing temperatures are how one of our favorite clothing necessities came to be.