An iconic piece of clothing, as practical as it is trendy, the Death Rider Sweatshirt, with or without a hood, is always in fashion. The sweatshirt is a democratic garment, of humble origins but soon becoming an everyday friend. A garment that knows no age and which is used from childhood to adulthood. There are sweatshirts made of various materials and of various workmanships: from cotton to wool to fleece, industrial and handmade, with a zip, round-neck, high-necked, oversize and high-fashion sweatshirts.
But how was the sweatshirt born, what is the history of the sweatshirt?

Death Rider Sweatshirt: A brief history of the sweatshirt

Since the very beginning, the history of the sweatshirt is often said to have originated as a technical, workwear garment, heavy but comfortable. The American company Champion is credited with the invention of the hooded sweatshirt, which was designed to meet the needs of workers who had to work outdoors, i.e. in unfavourable weather conditions and cold temperatures. As result, the first hooded sweatshirt that covered the head from the weather was created by Champion in the 1930s.

In fact, the history of the hoodie originated some ten years earlier, when Bennie Russell had comfortable, sweat-absorbing sweaters for playing American football produced in his family’s factory in Alabama, using a very soft cotton that was then used for women’s underwear.
From the success of the sweatshirt among sportsmen and women, Champion came up with the idea of the hoodie. Comfortable and versatile, the hoodie quickly became a fashion item among high school youths; hoodies became a trendy item of clothing among boys.
During the 1960s and 1970s, the hoodie became the icon of a generation, a symbol of nonconformity or even social rebellion: from writers (who wore them to cover their faces while graffitiing) to skateboarders, from breakdancers to hip-hop culture, right up to the rappers of the 1990s.

The history of the sweatshirt is therefore the history of the evolution of a technical, sporty or work garment, in any case a garment created for purposes not directly linked to the fashion industry, as was the case with jeans.

From sport to Urban Life

Did you know that sweatshirts were not originally eminently sporty garments? This assimilation dates back to the 1930s, when athletes started wearing them to keep out the cold during training sessions in the rain. From there it went to the city thanks to its versatility and comfort. Until today, when it has become an essential garment.
For many decades sweatshirts with a message have been the fetish garment for urban cultures such as hip-hop, skateboarders, teenagers and university students. Always linked to a lifestyle claim. Today, it has conquered the catwalks and the big high fashion brands, which present new models every season to attract consumers.
As a fashionable and stylish garment, original cotton sweatshirts have become an accessory with which to construct a more personal outfit. They have crossed the boundaries of menswear, with unisex models and more feminine cuts.

Specifications

Death Rider Sweatshirt cut is classic, and it has elastic rubber on the waist and cuffs for a better fit.
This sweatshirt pays tribute to the legacy of motorcyclists with a sizeable patterned skull.
Made from organic cotton fleece for an extra soft touch.
A classic cut that adapts to the body in a comfortable way. Ribbed round neck. Long sleeves with ribbed cuffs.