Hoodies on teenage boys - fashion statement or more???

[MummaSue]

I need to check out my possible gang connections. Hope my hoodies indicate that i am in the cool gang.

Me too Kate, DH and I both wear hoodies!!

[Junglemum]

Nothing better than snuggling down in a big hoodie. I am a hoodie addict. I thought as my younger years passed i'd grow out of it, but i never seem to.

I am in a gang though, me n my sista's hangin talkin about boobs, babies and lack of sleep usually.

[Bathsheba]

As a regular train catcher there is something pretty intimidating about a group of young males getting on board with hoods all up and covering their heads. It often spells trouble. Usually it means you'll soon be smelling the distinctive scent of parmanent marker as they graffiti like p!ssing tom cats all over the inside of the train.

Not all hoodie wearers are trouble. But clothing is a language. Teen boys often use hoods to convey the power of concealment. The practical value of hiding your features from CCTV is part of the reasoning behind it.

When my boys are old enough i'll speak to them about the language of clothing and hopefully they will decide not to talk this talk.

[anney]

Bath I think you have described it well. I also catch the train regularly and sometimes I have sat behind someone slumped in a seat in a hoodie and thought they looked intimidating but then they have thrown back the hood and been a "normal" looking teenager. And worn by a group many types of clothing can convey a message. I guess having just come out of his teens, this is probably what my nephew is alluding to.

[*TripleJ*]

every jumper i wear is a hoodie i dont think i have one without one but i agree with bath that they can use it in that way but most of the time most ppl are just wearing them to keep warm at least everyone i know

[Rouge]

I have to say I hate the stereotype that alludes to teenagers.

I walk up to what would outwardly appear to be the "scariest" looking teens and crack jokes and start a conversation, first they are shocked I think that I'm not having a go at them and I have NEVER had a bad experience they have always been so unbelievably lovely to me and some have even offered help with things.

I guess it's no different than automatically assuming all elderly people are grumpy, it just isn't so. Cliche's are just that. I think quite honestly we are the ones that feed those stereotypes when we could break it by not making assumptions based on clothing or appearance.

[Lulu]

Hoodies are very practical when it comes to CCTV. Balaclavas really give you away when you are standing behind someone at the atm.