There are a few things in fashion that are treated as if they were more than mere garments. A pair of Jordans. A Supreme box logo tee. Along the Rhude deep down in the world of great hoodies, it is a name fast joining that language. At first, I was a little skeptical. Can a sweatshirt really carry all of that promise, much less between $400–700?
Strange things happened to my curiosity in those moments: I had been secretly searching in all the online shops for three to four months now, wakeful to scrolling through the resale platforms, watching celebrities almost effortlessly scoff at the waiting period, pretending to consider it-anxiously waiting for the plunge. I finally took the plunge: my first-ever Rhude hoodie purchase. How did it feel to buy this piece, now that it is a keystone of culture in contemporary fashion?
First Impressions
Unboxing the hood was an event by itself. Rhude does not over-brand its packaging. It simply arrives in a dust bag stocked with very little branding-once again a subtle reminder that all the value is in the garment, not in its packaging.
I finally came into possession of the hoodie, and I knew the difference immediately. Heavy fabric was what it had on some cottons that lose their shape after just a couple of washes. The wash made it look vintage and lived-in: something that felt real. Now, that was far from the average cotton hoodie otherwise known for a vaguely familiar logo: it charmed you with character-how it seemed to narrate part of its own history.
Why Rhude?
I previously had hoodies from Nike and Champion, among a few Commes-des-Garçons from Gucci. Rhude, however, was different for three big reasons:
The Story – Rhuigi Villaseñor is a Filipino-American designer who created the brand Rhuigi out of nothing upon moving to Los Angeles. An immigrant story juxtaposed with Los Angeles street culture creates an edge to his designs that feels almost personal.
The Graphics – From racing-themed designs to bandana prints, Rhude hoodies are anything but generic. They feel like pieces of art you can wear, each tied to a concept or memory.
The Culture – Artists like Jay-Z, LeBron James, and Kendrick Lamar wearing Rhude are beyond mere celebrity endorsement; it’s an affirmation of culture. To envelop one of them was to become an integral part of that greater discourse.
The Fit
I usually wear a medium; I went true to size, and I was happy I did so. Rhude hoodies tend to be oversized; my particular one draped so well—meaning, it was relaxed yet structured enough not to feel sloppy.
If you like it tight, then you should probably size down. If you like a more exaggerated bad-boy style, go up. One way or another, it’s probably the most versatile hoodie I’ve owned.
Styling It
Styling came with the biggest surprise. I have used it on two totally different occasions:
Streetwear: Cargo pants and some Air Jordans. Effortless and classic.
Smart Casual: Layered under a black wool overcoat with slim trousers. The hoodie gave the look an edge without feeling out-of-place.
For Weekend Comfort: Joggers and sneakers–errands or chilling.
Every time I put it on, I felt there was a particular joy to wearing it. Sometimes it was rarely ever just for comfort; it was a statement.
Aftermath of Price Talk
Ah, let’s put the elephant back into the room: Is it really worth $500?
A $500 hoodie would sound ridiculous to most people. If you just want to stay warm, there are $40 sweatshirts that will do just fine. But the Rhude hoodie is not for utility; it is an investment.
How I could rationalize paying for it:
- Longevity: They put more work into this one than most hoodies I have ever had. It will last for years with proper care.
2.Rarity: They are not made on a large-scale. Having one feels like you’re entering a chosen circle.
- Resale Value: If someday I ever get tired of it, I can always sell it on a raging resale market. Some models even go up in value.
For me, it was never a question of how much it costs per hour of wear but about the value of owning that cultural artifact.
Care
Through owning the hoodie, my thoughts on garment care were dramatically changed. I could no longer just throw it in with everything else in the washing machine. Rather, I follow along a stern set of rules:
- Wash inside-out; use cold water so the graphics do not get damaged.
- No tumble-drying, just air-drying on flat surface.
- Fold or hang on a padded hanger so as not to stretch.
Sounds extra-the rituals-for the price of the garment actually count.
Culture Hoodie
What I find most strange about owning a Rhude hoodie is the way people react to me wearing it. Fashion-oriented friends took notice instantaneously and began to interrogate me, while strange people in coffee shops would compliment the attire. It is that kind of garment that sparks conversation.
The hoodie and I became one at the very moment when I felt this hoodie was more than just fabric and design- it was culture. It represents a link between me and LA streetwear, Villaseñor’s narrative, and the broader movement of streetwear toward luxury fashion.
Criticism and Reflection
Certainly, not everyone understands. Many just roll their eyes at the exorbitant price tag or think that luxury streetwear exploits poor subcultural garments and slaps on an inflated price. That is what I see, and it is a justified criticism directed at the industry.
On the other hand, transformation has always been at the heart of fashion. Denim transformed from being workwear into high fashion. Sneakers transformed from being gym shoes to grails. So did the hoodie. For me, Rhude is that transformation at its best.
Future of Rhude
Since getting my hands on the hoodie, I’ve had a deeper appreciation for Rhude. The brand has evolved into tailoring, accessories, and major collaborations. But that hoodie will go down in the annals as the brand’s most distinguishable piece, and I think it will forever remain so.
Villaseñor has stated that he wants Rhude to be more than just a streetwear label; he wants it to be a lifestyle brand. If the hoodie says anything, then he certainly could be on to something.
Final Thoughts
Owning something from Rhude was probably the utmost moment of contemporary fashion for me. That hoodie began to ask me: Why do I buy clothes? What do I cherish in design? How does fashion connect to culture?
