The A Bathing Ape brand also known as BAPE originated in Japan, has a piece of its country’s history, and has been known as the first Japanese streetwear brand that has been known globally.
In the early 90s, in the street of ura-Harajuku (low-key back alleys of Tokyo that are known for second-hand items, arts, small eateries, etc), a group of friends has been dealing with their stuff but helping each other along the way opened and launch their clothing brand – BAPE.
The BAPE’s iconic logo is inspired by a 1968 film – Planet of the Apes, which also refers to an idiom in Japanese meaning “an ape bathing in lukewarm water” meaning a person who lies and likes to stay in the bath until it isn’t hot anymore.
In the early 2000s, BAPE’s popularity hit its peak due to the hip-hop culture that Notorious B.IG. promotes and in the same year, Pharell Williams has also been introduced to the founder -Nigo, and liked the brand’s aesthetic and colors.
Today, the best-selling items the BAPE has on the market since the acquisition of I.T are its snow jackets that are insulated, its OG camo design, and its shark hoodies that still represents young streetwear/ hip hop vibes.
Is BAPE A Luxury Brand?
Is BAPE A Luxury Brand? – Fake vs Real BAPE Hoodie
Bape (A Bathing Ape) is considered a luxury Japanese streetwear brand that produces high-quality sweats, shirts, hoodies, jackets, etc, that are made of 100% cotton material and is connected to famous hip hop personalities such as Pharell Williams, Chris Brown, Kanye West and many more.
Even though it is a streetwear brand basic clothes such as hoodies and shirts can cause around $300 up to $700 because of its trademarked design and quality craftsmanship that undergoes a lot of manufacturing processes.
The majority of its best-selling products are only produced in certain amount of quantities to increase demand and make the products more exclusive to maintain and control the price of their merchandise.
As a result, the customers can’t keep their hands on getting their brand – talking about great marketing and the law of supply and demand.
Where Are Real BAPE Hoodies Made?
Where Are Real BAPE Hoodies Made? – Fake vs Real BAPE Hoodie
The Japanese brand BAPE is not an exception to the other luxury brands that manufactured their products in China.
China has a reputation for making cheap and low-quality products but when a brand that sells its products expensively is manufactured in their country, you can still expect high-quality results from them as long as the raw materials used are high-quality.
Since 2013, BAPE’s clothing and accessories have been made in China, so if you checked the tag saying this, you did not have to worry at all.
As a customer, you will have to ensure that you are buying BAPE’S products from their store/site or their authorized reseller to avoid being lured to counterfeit items that will put your money to waste.
How To Spot Real Vs Fake BAPE Shark Hoodie
How To Spot Real vs Fake BAPE Shark Hoodie? – Real vs Fake BAPE Hoodie
Since it is considered a luxurious streetwear clothing brand, it does not escape the eyes of counterfeiters, which is why here are some of the things you needed to consider to make sure you are buying a genuine BAPE Hoodie:
1. Always Check The Label
Once you have received your BAPE Hoodie, it is important to check the BAPE label on the neck part of the hoodie and ensure that it has a high-quality logo on it.
The letters on the label must have a similar font as well as the 1993 numeral numbers, the fake one has big spaces in it that is quite noticeable when you inspect it.
You can check the hoodie if it is genuine or not when you check it on the official photos of the BAPE website.
2. Look For The Golden BAPE Tag
One of the unique features of an original BAPE Hoodie is its golden tag which can be found where the brand label is and it is also one of the most flawed parts of a counterfeit item.
The genuine BAPE hoodie has a smooth grainy gold tag while the fake one has a gold glittery rough tag that looks sewn suspiciously with the brand label.
3. The Washing Label
The washing label is the easiest to replicate in any product as this is not one of the most checked parts when a customer is buying it; however, for a BAPE hoodie, you should look closely at this part.
Counterfeit BAPE hoodies often come with loose stitching on the washing label that can be easily taken off in the washer while the authentic BAPE hoodie has a crisscross stitch that is tight and will not easily fall off.
4. Look for the Sleeve Tag
Another tag that you should inspect is located at the sleeve where you can see a high-quality embroidered Ape logo with an R enclosed in a circle that is not faded/grainy.
5. Inspect the Zipper
The zipper of the hoodie must also have a clean metal engraved BAPE abbreviation and be characterized as bulky and wide compared to the counterfeits that are made of plastic and can easily be scratched.
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Do People Still Wear BAPE?
Do People Still Wear BAPE? – Fake vs Real BAPE Hoodie
Since the supply of this brand is quite limited, you can only see a few people wearing this but yes, BAPE is still being worn up until today.
Its momentum was quite lost when I.T. – a Hong Kong-based corporation bought it but since 2021, it has gained quite a buzz as they have released several different items including their shoes.
The brand is still popular with hip-hop rappers such as Travis Scott, ASAP Rocky, Future, Lil Uzi Vert, Drake, etc.
Are BAPE hoodies tight?
BAPE hoodies come in a range of sizes and styles, so the fit can vary depending on the specific hoodie and the size you choose.
Generally, BAPE hoodies are designed to have a relaxed and comfortable fit, with a slightly oversized silhouette. However, some styles may fit more snugly or have a slimmer cut.
It’s important to check the size chart and read reviews before purchasing a BAPE hoodie to ensure that you get the right fit for your body type and personal preferences.
Are Bape hoodies silky?
BAPE hoodies are typically made of cotton or a cotton-polyester blend and are not usually silky. However, some Bape hoodies may have a slight sheen or shine to them, which can give them a more polished or glossy appearance.
This can be due to the type of fabric used, or to the way that the fabric is treated or finished.
Overall, while Bape hoodies are not typically silky, they can have a unique and distinctive appearance that sets them apart from other hoodies.
Is It Worth It To Buy A Bape Hoodie?
It really depends on how you wear things, if you are into streetwear attire and you do not want the same pair with others, definitely yes!
BAPE has its own identity and is not mass-produced so you do not have to worry that you will walk into someone wearing the same clothing.
Everything that makes you happy and comfortable is definitely worth every penny.
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