Nah… I don’t really like hoodies at all. Might because of the negative views that hoodies seem to attract in my area, but I prefer cardigans/fleeces/sweatshirts. Not hoodies! 
Still have not found a replacement for my [del]white whale[/del] favorite, cherished hoodie. The stores are starting to bring in some stock for autumn, though, and I should have a chance to check out some more in person shortly. A local store, Rural King, had some Carhartt hoodies that looked like they had possibilities, but they didn’t have many yet, and none in both my size, and a color I liked.
I did stumble upon something today that might help with my search. The insides of my hoodie were not like much I’d ever seen before, and I did not know how to describe it. Turns out, it’s called “French Terry”. Warm without being too heavy. Soft and fluffy to the touch, but not fuzzy and prone to shedding. The couple of Carhartt’s I saw today had a fuzzy interior, and some fibers came off when I pulled at it, so I fear it might shed of it’s own accord with use and washing.
I was just kind of excited I found the type of fabric I was looking for. One step closer to my goal!
Also, “French Terry” sounds like a character I’d like to see Terry Crews play briefly on the show “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”, a’la “Scary Terry”.
Well, I guess you all have been desperately waiting for the conclusion to my hunt. Or not. Thinking on it for a second or two, pretty sure not. Regardless, I always return to the scene of the crime, for closure and to thank those who aided and abetted. Consider yourselves thanked.
I was out running errands in the cool damp remains of hurricane Harvey today (a few states inland, and out of any real danger) and decided to take another look at Rural King. I looked around, and in the end, the Carhartt faction won the day. I went with the carbon heather, as I don’t favor solid colors, and the dark ceder was not available to look at or buy.
It’s a bit warmer than I’d like, a bit heavier than my old favorite [del]woobie[/del] hoodie, but I just couldn’t resist it. The fit is comfortable, the construction seems quite sturdy, and it’s water-repellent, something that seemed like a REALLY good idea today, for some reason. So, while it’s not a carbon-copy of my favorite outerwear, it has many things to recommend it, and I hope that one day, far, far in the future, I’ll be mourning the loss of this as much as I did my old reliable.
As I was checking out, the cashier looked out the door, turned to me and asked if I’d like to wear it out.
“You know, I think I will.”
In defense of cheap, Wal-Mart hoodies…
I’ve had several inexpensive (less than $10) hoodies from Wal-Mart and they have served me well. Yes, they pill, but the zippers work after 8-10 years and there are no rips or thin areas. I usually take them along as a layer to wear under my Mountain Hardwear shells. I also wear them around the house throughout the day, so they are worn almost daily.
My family buys me these exotic hoodies for my birthdays and Christmas (e.g. Under Armour). I don’t like the fabric or the feel or the logos, so I never wear them. (Need any? Size?) Besides, I don’t like wearing anything that will make me cry if I cut a hole in it, stain it with blood, or have to “lend” it to some poor soul who needs one. To me, a hoodie is not a fashion statement. I recommend a utilitarian approach…in dark gray only.
Crap.
I was wearing it and could smell the chemical smell that most new clothes have. I often wash new clothes to get the chemicals out, and while I was worried about doing that here, I did it anyway. I figured I was damn well gonna wash it at some point, if I want to wash it, wash it.
I followed directions. Cold water. I put it on the 6-minute regular wash, instead of the full 9, and used about half the liquid detergent I usually do. I put it in an extra-large cycle and washed it by itself, with one rinse.
LINT! LINT EVERYWHERE!
The washing machine is coated with it, and the lint trap is filling up fast. I don’t want a hoodie that gets lint everywhere, that I can’t wear with a light-colored shirt, etc. I’m going to take a look at it when it’s dried, and maybe wash it again. If I don’t like it after that, I’m taking it back.
I realize I’m talking to myself at this point - it’s a niche subject of little interest, even to me - but I like to ride ‘help’ threads to conclusion for the next ppl to happen upon it. Don’t want to leave anything incorrect, as best I can.
The lint-bombing has ceased. After the Carhartt hoodie was washed and dried once, I wore it all day and had little to no lint to show on my white shirt. I guess these just drop a ton of lint the first time through the wash. I HIGHLY recommend washing and drying it by itself the first time.
The interior material was different after the wash as well. When brand-new, it was kind of like a piece of felt - fibrous and flat. Afterwards, it’s puffed and fluffy. I think these NEED washed once for it to fully ‘break in’. It shrunk a little, not much. Mine’s on the big side, so I was happy about that anyway. I think it’s more comfortable, less stiff now. All in all, a nice midweight hoodie that will shed rain and is put together really well. A sturdy, comfortable piece of clothing.
The one thing I DON’T like about the Carhartt hoodies is that they seem to have a wild variance on the cotton/polyester blend. The ‘carbon heather’ color is 55% cotton/45% poly. The other colors are 75% cotton/25% poly. Don’t know how you’re going to get consistency from a garment when you do that.
I’m nearing 30 and I’ve never owned more than a handful of hoodies. They are amazing when it’s cold out, but alas, I live in SoCal. Our cold is like someone’s spring.
I’ve never owned many myself. It’s just that I got one as a gift about 15 years back, and it was so comfortable, and just the right thickness/warmth, that it became my favorite piece of clothing. When it died, I decided I missed it too much and set off to specifically get one that could fill that role. Much harder than simply getting a decent, functional hoodie or 2.