There is a reason hoodies became the everyday-wear closet staple during the pandemic – they offer the utmost comfort! Even though the COVID-19 lockdowns and quarantines have ended, the desire for comfort hasn’t.
Hoodies have long been the statement pieces in hip hop and street culture, but times have been changing, and so have they. Moving on from the homeware fashion scene, they have made their way into the work scene. They’re particularly trendy among outdoor professions – from construction labourers, road workers and drivers to line installers, landscapers and professional arborists – many are fans of the hoodie.
Not surprisingly, there’s a special type of hard-wearing hoodie for work designed for the weather elements. These heavy-duty work hoodies have features like windproof membranes and water-resistant fleece. Any sweatshirt with a hood can be a hoodie, but not any can be a work-related one.
Those created for work offer unbeatable comfort too, but that’s not all they do – they’re also designed to provide functionality. Unlike regular designs, these are great in tough conditions and activities, whether it’s high-activity positions or harsh weather. They’re also exceeding expectations with the variety of styles you can find them in.
The Different Work Hoodies
Depending on your area of work and personal needs, you can find work hoodie designs that have a nice Sherpa lining, reinforced elbows with canvas elbow patches, and pockets, lots of pockets. There are those with a fleece-lined hood with adjustable drawcords, zip-up fronts, and rib knit adjustable cuffs and waist.
Besides the simple monochromatic designs and colourful pieces, you can come across special hi-vis hoodies with high visibility elements in orange and yellow, fit for low-light working conditions. And then, there are those designs meant for use in warm weather thanks to the thoughtful use of fabrics that are UPF50+ rated which truly sets them apart from their regular counterparts.
How Do I Choose a Quality Hoodie?
By choosing the one ideal for the work zone! This could mean different things for different people of different professions. So, if you don’t know how to narrow down your choices of hoodies for work, the following aspects might help you turn shopping into one less of a headache:
1. Decide on the required level of warmth and insulation for your specific work conditions. Do you need a hoodie that offers optimal warmth or one that’s fit for varying weather elements? If it’s yes for the primary, look for a heavier and warmer construction suitable for the cold months. If it’s yes for the latter, choose breathable yet thermoregulating properties and features like zip-regulated fronts to control the heat and cool levels you need.
2. Decide on the level of protection you require when working during wet conditions. If you often work in the pouring rain, then you would most feel comfortable in a waterproof design instead of a regular one. An additional piece, such as a vest or a jacket, might also be of use for further protection. If so, check how much space you have for unrestricted arm movements in case you wear the two types of tops together.
3. Decide on the level of UV protection. This is especially important for workers exposed to the scorching sun day in and day out and needs to cover and protect their skin from the exposure. Certain UV-rated designs are even designed to keep you cool at the same time, despite the fact they’re hoodies.
4. Decide on the level of flexibility. Although all hoodies are generally flexible, some are more than others, and the choice comes down to how much your job requires. Jobs where you get to do a lot of hand, arm, and shoulder movements could urge you to opt for hoodies with stretch areas, elastic materials, or handy features like extended armpit gussets added to prevent restrictions and boost your convenience.
5. Decide whether your kind of job requires hoodies for work that comply with the ANSI standards for hi-vis garments. People working in transport, construction and road construction, warehouses and utilities could all benefit from these garments with reflective materials if they find themselves working at night or during low light conditions like foggy weather.
6. Decide on the features you most find to be useful. If you often need to carry items from one place to the other, then you probably require a nice set of side and front pockets where you can safely store the tools and devices for the job. In the case of devices that require extra care, you might benefit more from inside pockets.
