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Hypebeasts have gotten a bad rap. Don’t worry, we’ll explain: often used to describe someone in a derogatory manner, it’s a word that has strayed from its initial meaning. While it’s now thrown around in regards to someone with poor taste — a person that obnoxiously announces every article of clothing they’re wearing — the most simple definition is someone who is enthusiastic about clothing, shoes (especially sneakers) and fashion in general.
Yes, there are those cringe-inducing individuals who wear certain brands just so they can flex or resell pieces at ludicrous prices. But there are the hypebeasts, the real hypebeasts, who are simply interested and excited by fashion for fashion’s sake. It’s these people to which the moniker belongs and who represent what the culture surrounding the word is really meant to be about.
So if you’re shopping for some you think might harbor a desire to be a hypebeast or has expressed an interest in streetwear (or if you’re “asking for a friend” on what to cop with that holiday bonus), don’t discourage them but instead help them foster this new interest. Besides, it’s not just about clothes and sneakers but the various cultures and people that have inspired streetwear and by extension the pieces it’s produced. If anything, the best hypebeast gifts will end up gaining you a vastly better-dressed boyfriend, brother, etc.
Below, Gorpy cargos and Throwing Fits x Percival alike feature in our clout-forward list of 20 items perfect for every enthusiast, from hypebeast-in-training to jawns legend.
Straight out of Stüssy’s F/W campaign, this wavy printed 8-ball fleece is quite possibly the drop of the season (so far, at least), which is probably why it sold out in a flash. Not to worry — you can still cop one for the hypebeast in your life on the secondary market.
If you’re committed to being a hypebeast, then at the very least you should brush up on the history, influences and designers that have shaped the culture as we know it. First and foremost on the required reading list is the late great Virgil Abloh’s ICONS, a detailed dive into Off-White visionary’s legendary collaboration with Nike’s coveted silos. It’s nuanced, detailed and packed to the gills with pretty pictures.
We’re living in a post-sneaker society. Other than the Aimē 550s. And the JJJound Gel Kayano 14. And the Samba. Regardless, you get the point — kicks no longer have the chokehold on our footwear rotations that they did 5 or 6 years ago, and in their stead, loafers have bubbled through as the premier slip-ons of choice. For our money there’s none better (or hyper) than Chris Echevarria’s Blackstock & Weber: unlike the stuffy shoes you might have seen on grandpa back in the day, B&W’s chunky-sole body and bold styling go better with a pair of double-knees or Carhartt hoodie than they do with a suit…although we’re not saying you can’t pair the two as well.
Hypebeasting has expanded well beyond clothing, and you don’t have to be a stoner to recognize exactly how rad the handcrafted lineup of tasteful paraphernalia from Seth Rogan’s Houseplant is. Offering a lineup of blocky marble table lighters, standing brass ashtrays straight out of the ’70s and a variety of meticulously crafted bespoke ashtrays, like the glass and Cork amalgamation above, it’s a far cry from standard smoke shop bongs. Also, a really nice centerpiece for any start apartment’s coffee table, toker or otherwise.
Hypebeasts are often also skaters, or at least they pretend to be. So even if the streetwear enthusiast you’re shopping for has yet to attempt a kickflip, or even owns a skateboard for that matter, he’ll still appreciate this deck designed by streetwear gurus Noah, which makes for the perfect addition to one’s home.
We are more than willing to girlboss, but gatekeeping is where we draw the line here at InsideHook, which is why we feel obligated to relay that the swaggiest pants in existence are coming out of NYC-based 18 East, the brainchild of Antonio Ciongoli. Drawing from skate and outdoor cultures — with a dash of streetwear styling and a hefty amount of performance-oriented design — garb like the Gorecki Pants, or a deeper cut and our favorite offering, the Benny, will win them the street cred they deserve.
Remember when we said we were living in a post-sneaker society? Yeah, we lied. New Balance’s basketball-inspired 550 retros proved to be last year’s heater, and with a general release at a very giftable price point, you should have no problem bestowing a little taste of the action on any sneakerhead recipient.
Chances are you’ll be able to spot at least five crossbodies, fanny packs, hip bags, or similar accessories while looking at streetstyle photos. What exactly are all these streetwear celebs are carrying in there? Who knows! What we do know though is that these lil guys make for a handsome (and functional) accessory, so you can finally stop carrying your bulky wallet in your pocket and creating unsightly bulges. This is especially true if the bag in question is made of tougher-than-nails nylon and sports a name like “Dyneema Sacoche”.
Save them the embarrassment of being just another mustached Bushwich boy with a tote and a “Bass Pro Shop” hat and bestow some tasteful headwear this holiday. This Arrow Heart Twill Cap from Copenhagen-based Palmes Tennis Society bears a discrete logo, making the “Nice hat, dude” compliment and knowing nod alike all the sweeter. Enough of those, and maybe he’ll even lose the mustache — here’s hoping.
It’s 2022, which means even the gnarliest of no-bedframe hypebeasts probably have some form of self-care routine or rituals they keep. Help them take theirs to the next level with Humanrace’s Routine Pack — Free of fragrances and gluten, no to mention vegan and cruelty-free, the Pharell-designed trio of moisturizer, exfoliator and hydrating cream are gentle, renewing and, most importantly, totally displayable.
These Sunnei sunglasses offer a narrow and angular shape that slightly heightens the drama and offers a sporty feel, while the sleek brown color makes them suitable enough to wear with anything. Think of them like those sunglasses you see at gas stations, just cooler and more refined.
The hottest hoodie you can gift currently also happens to be straight out of your contractor’s closet, and while we would bet the house on the fact that homie’s never used a wet saw in his life, there’s no denying that Carhartt’s loose-fitting heavy zip-up is the move. Questionable co-opt aside (it’s giving stolen valor), the style is great for winter layering and at only $55, a breezy check out on Amazon.
Aimé Leon Dore’s gradual shift from “heads ain’t go these” to “if you know, you know” has been subtle, but for the discerning addict, it makes receiving a pair of the slip-on Garden Mules all the sweeter. They’ll be on the cutting edge of the mulement, and you’ll only be out 95 bucks. That feels like a win-win to us.
You’ve probably encountered something like this dog before — it’s a collectible toy designed and produced by the Japanese company MediCom Toy Incoporated. The “toy” has grown to be a highly sought-after item, much more popular among adults than children, often featuring designs by other artists including KAWS and Andy Warhol, or in this case, American pop artist Keith Haring.
Chances are, the hypebeast in your life probably can’t afford a wild west print from American multimedia artist and One of These Days Founder Matthew McCormick, but not to worry — OOTD has all sorts of equally kitschy offerings for a fraction of the price, like this poppy three-toned mug.
Gorpcore continues to dominate the zeitgeist, which means that any bro concerned with how “technical” their gear is will go crazy for this Arc’teryx beanie. Woven from a superfine merino wool/acrylic blend, the skullcap retains heat, and the iconic dino-bird-skeleton print should telegraph that your giftee is an enlightened sartorialist, if the eye-catching colorways don’t first.
As it turns out, the hypest (most hype? Hypiest?) thing you can gift is knowledge. Not practical, useful knowledge about important and tangible matters, no — bad rap or not, we’re not convinced that the majority of clout chasers are fully literate — but instead “unbeatable recon” on all the latest trends, movements and garments. For this kind of coverage, there’s only one name we trust: Jonah Weiner (formally Rolling Stones and NYT stock) of Blackbird Spyplane, a subscription-based substack that delivers a barrage of weekly jawn-related 411 straight to your inbox.
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