If you’ve ever seen a teenager bundled in a hoodie under the blazing sun and wondered, why?, you’re not alone. It’s a question that resurfaced recently in a thoughtful article by Dr. Marshall Shepherd for Forbes, titled “Why Teens Wear Hoodies When It’s Hot (Revisited)”. His insights resonated especially with many Black parents, who have long witnessed their children’s attachment to the hoodie, not just as a style choice but as a cultural and emotional shield.

When Black teens wear hoodies in the summer heat, some people are quick to label it as deviant or suspicious behavior, but it’s not. It’s comfort, it’s security, and yes, it’s style. Why shouldn’t our teens feel safe expressing themselves through something as simple as clothing? After all, tech moguls like Mark Zuckerberg wear hoodies to billion-dollar boardrooms without anyone questioning their character. When Black youth do the same, it should not be met with suspicion but with understanding. For some, the hoodie is a quiet rebellion: a soft shield in a loud world, and a symbol of agency in a society that too often tries to define them before they even speak.

So, why do Black teens wear hoodies when it’s hot out? The answer is layered and personal.

Hoodies as Emotional Armor

Dr. Shepherd, a climate scientist and father, shares that his own son frequently wears hoodies in Georgia’s heat, even during triple-digit weather. While there’s limited academic research on the topic, Shepherd draws a comparison to a “weighted blanket,” noting that teens may find comfort in the feeling of being wrapped up. It offers a sense of emotional regulation, something deeply needed in adolescence.

For many Black teens, this comfort is amplified by the hoodie’s ability to act as a psychological shield. Whether it’s shielding from body image issues, anxiety, or even the social weight of being perceived and judged, the hoodie becomes a coping mechanism.

A Cultural Statement with Deep Roots

Wearing a hoodie in Black youth culture is more than just functional—it’s symbolic. For decades, the hoodie has been a staple in Black fashion, music, and resistance. From 1980s hip-hop icons to today’s streetwear influencers, the hoodie is woven into the identity of Black youth.

It also signals belonging. Whether it’s repping a sports team, a neighborhood, or a brand created by a Black designer, hoodies create a visual connection, a silent message: This is who I am. I belong to something. And in a society that often marginalizes young Black voices, that sense of belonging matters.

Reclaiming Power and Safety

There’s also a more sobering truth: hoodies have become politicized, especially when worn by Black teens. The 2012 killing of Trayvon Martin while wearing a hoodie changed the national conversation about what a Black teen in a hoodie represents. For some, it was seen as threatening. But for the Black community, the hoodie became a symbol of innocence, injustice, and resistance.

Many Black youth continue to wear hoodies in the heat, not in spite of this context, but because of it. It’s an act of reclaiming power. Instead of hiding, they wear it boldly, turning a potential stereotype into a statement of identity and pride.

Comfort in a World That’s Often Uncomfortable

As Dr. Shepherd puts it, “This is a generation with anxiety and mental health challenges that manifest in many ways.” The hoodie can serve as a portable sanctuary, a way to reduce sensory overload, escape from stares, or simply manage stress.

In environments where Black teens may feel hyper-visible, judged, or unsafe, the hoodie can help them control their presence, to be seen on their terms.

What Parents Can Take From This

Instead of policing our teens’ fashion choices, we can try to understand what’s underneath the fabric. Ask your teen how their hoodie makes them feel. Is it comfort? Safety? Style? You might find it’s all of the above.

And while it’s important to prepare Black children for the realities of how they may be perceived, we should also empower them to own their identities with pride and confidence. As one writer shared, the hoodie is like a portable cave, a safe space in a world that doesn’t always feel safe.

Final Thought

So next time your teen is sweating in a hoodie under the sun, know this: that sweatshirt may be doing more than keeping them warm. It might be keeping them whole.