Champion Reminds the World That Hoodies Are Still the Real Deal, 80+ Years After Inventing Them for the Sidelines

Today, Champion Athleticwear, makers of authentic athletic apparel since 1919, is celebrating its place in sports history as the inventor of the world’s first hoodie. As the originator and as the brand who carries the standard of excellence within the hoodie category, Champion is launching the “Be Your Own” campaign as an ode to the hoodie.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220901005125/en/

Champion Athleticwear, launches new "Be Your Own" campaign to celebrate over 80 years in sports history as the inventor of the world’s first hoodie (Photo: Business Wire)

The integrated marketing campaign is a movement to solidify Champion’s place in the athleticwear category as the original, and only, real hoodie that exists. This campaign showcases Champion hoodies as a wearable statement of comfort, style, and confidence.

In the 1930s, Champion made one update to its core product that would forever cement the brand in sportswear and fashion history -- the addition of the hood. The hoodie was developed for athletes to wear on the sidelines, protecting them against the elements so they could perform at their best. Since then, Champion has continued to deliver hoodie solutions rooted in athleticism that translate to different arenas of life - the court and the field, classrooms, streets, main stage and more.

“Champion is proud of our sports heritage, and we want everyone to know that our signature “C” logo is not only the mark of a Champion, but has a deep-rooted history of creating and innovating hoodie fashion,” said John Shumate, Vice President of Global Marketing, Champion. “While Champion invented the hoodie, our fans reinvent it every day. The new “Be Your Own” campaign shines the spotlight on consumers who play by their own rules and sport their own unique hoodie styles.”

Creating something as iconic as the hoodie wasn’t enough for Champion. As the experts in athleticwear, the brand continued to lean into innovations that solved issues on and off the field. From sustainably sourcing American grown cotton, to using cold water wash fabrics to reduce energy usage, Champion has kept pushing to reign supreme. After over 80 years of perfecting the hoodie, the current Champion portfolio offers an unmatched range in various silhouettes, fabrics, graphics and colors to give everyone stylish and comfortable solutions for any occasion, including: