Palace Hoodie Streetwear’s Cult Classic From London to the World

Palace Hoodie Streetwear’s Cult Classic From London to the World

In the fast-moving world of streetwear, few items have achieved the balance of underground credibility and mainstream appeal quite like the Palace hoodie. What began as a staple of British skate culture has evolved into a global fashion statement, worn by skaters, artists, celebrities, and style-forward youth from Tokyo to New York. At the core of its popularity lies not only design and branding, but an authenticity that resonates across cultures and subcultures.

This article explores the origin, cultural impact, design details, collaborations, and future of the Palace hoodie—streetwear’s British heavyweight.

The Birth of Palace Skateboards

Founded in London in 2009 by Lev Tanju, Palace Skateboards started as a humble skate brand. Lev and his crew, known as the “Palace Wayward Boys Choir,” lived in rundown flats that they jokingly referred to as “palaces.” This irony would go on to define the brand's tone: sarcastic, self-aware, and steeped in UK culture.

Initially, Palace was known more for its gritty skate videos and VHS aesthetics than clothing. But its unique point of view—British humor, love for 1990s nostalgia, and deep skateboarding roots—helped it break away from the pack. As the brand grew, one item emerged as a cornerstone of every drop: the Palace hoodie.

Design Elements That Make the Palace Hoodie Iconic

The Palace hoodies has become a go-to item for streetwear fans not just because of its hype, but because of its well-crafted design, visual identity, and consistent quality.

1. The Tri-Ferg Logo

Arguably the most recognized graphic in streetwear after Supreme’s box logo, Palace’s Tri-Ferg was created by graphic designer Fergus Purcell. It’s a Penrose triangle—a geometrically impossible shape—featuring the word “PALACE” on each side. Clever, eye-catching, and endlessly remixable, the Tri-Ferg appears on hoodies in dozens of colorways and sizes. Whether small and subtle or oversized on the back, it’s a badge of cool without being pretentious.

2. Premium Fabric and Build Quality

Palace hoodies are known for their heavyweight cotton fleece, structured fit, and durability. From thick ribbed hems to high-quality drawstrings, everything is built for daily wear—especially for skaters. Many pieces feature embroidered logos, screen-printed graphics, or applique patches, each showing attention to detail not often seen in mass-market brands.

3. Graphics and Humor

Palace thrives on British irony and nostalgia. Hoodies may feature tongue-in-cheek parodies of tech brands, supermarket logos, sportswear throwbacks, or even surreal artwork. There’s a distinct DIY energy to Palace graphics, and the hoodie serves as a perfect canvas for that humor and originality.

Drop Culture and Scarcity

Palace operates on a seasonal drop model, releasing new products online and in select flagship stores. The brand rarely restocks, and each drop features new hoodie designs in limited quantities. Most drops happen on Fridays and sell out within minutes.

This scarcity drives demand, creates community excitement, and fuels a booming resale market. Some Palace hoodies double or triple in price shortly after selling out. For fans, securing a hoodie on drop day can feel like winning a fashion lottery.

Palace Hoodies in the Resale Market

On platforms like Grailed, StockX, and Depop, Palace hoodies are among the most frequently searched items. Collectors seek out vintage drops, rare collaborations, or specific Tri-Ferg variants. Prices can range from retail (£100–£140) to several hundred pounds depending on rarity and condition.

Some resale hits include:

• Palace x Ralph Lauren hoodie — combining Polo heritage with Palace street culture.

• Tri-Ferg flame print hoodie — a fiery remix of the classic logo.

• Palace x Arc’teryx tech hoodie — highly functional and fashion-forward.

This resale culture has made Palace not just a fashion brand, but a collectible asset.

Global Reach and Cultural Credibility

What began as a UK-centric skate brand has become a global force. Today, Palace has flagship stores in London, New York, Los Angeles, and Tokyo, and a loyal international following. While Palace remains true to its London roots, it has found love across cultures.

Celebrity Influence

Palace hoodies have been worn by:

• A$AP Rocky – who’s often seen mixing high fashion and skate brands.

• Drake – featured wearing Palace in videos and live shows.

• Kendrick Lamar, Skepta, Rihanna, and even Jonah Hill have all sported the brand.

Unlike brands that rely heavily on endorsements, Palace’s celebrity following has mostly grown organically—adding to its street cred rather than undermining it.

Collaborations That Made Headlines

Palace has collaborated with some of the most respected names in fashion and sport—often releasing co-branded hoodies as part of limited-edition capsules.

1. Palace x adidas

This is perhaps Palace’s most extensive and long-running collaboration. The hoodies are usually sporty, clean, and co-branded, mixing adidas’s technical expertise with Palace’s bold identity.

2. Palace x Ralph Lauren

In 2018, this collab stunned the fashion world. Polo logos were remixed with Palace twists, offering a luxury take on the skate hoodie. It was unexpected, and it worked beautifully.

3. Palace x Arc’teryx

A techwear dream, this collab delivered hoodies made from performance materials—blending hiking aesthetics with street sensibility.

4. Palace x Gucci Vault

As part of Gucci’s experimental retail platform, this collab gave us loud, maximalist hoodies that fused high fashion with streetwear chaos.

Each of these partnerships has added depth to the Palace hoodie’s reputation and value, keeping it relevant in an increasingly crowded market.

How to Style a Palace Hoodie

The Palace hoodie is one of the most versatile pieces in any wardrobe. Here are a few ways to wear it:

• Streetwear Uniform: Pair a bold Tri-Ferg hoodie with cargos, a puffer jacket, and Nike SB Dunks.

• High-Low Fusion: Layer under a trench coat or blazer with tailored pants and designer sneakers.

• Laid-back Look: Match with joggers, a beanie, and slides for effortless weekend style.

• Skate Classic: Go full 90s with baggy jeans, Palace beanie, and a loose-fit hoodie.

The hoodie works for almost every casual setting, making it a staple you can wear year-round.

Palace vs. Supreme: Streetwear Rivals

Palace is often compared to Supreme—another skate brand-turned-global powerhouse. While both share DNA (limited drops, skate origins, cult followings), Palace leans more into British culture, humor, and weirdness, whereas Supreme reflects New York attitude and rebellion.

Palace is the mate cracking jokes at the pub; Supreme is the guy staring you down on the subway. Both have loyal fans, and both make excellent hoodies—but Palace keeps its tongue in cheek, and that’s part of the charm.

Conclusion: The Legacy of the Palace Hoodie

In a market overflowing with logos and limited drops, the Palace hoodie continues to stand out because it’s real. It started from a group of friends skating in South London and became a worldwide phenomenon—without ever forgetting where it came from.

It’s a hoodie, yes. But it’s also a statement of culture, humor, and identity. Whether you wear one for the flex, the comfort, or the community, you’re tapping into one of modern fashion’s most influential movements.

And with every new season, Palace proves that even in a world driven by trends, authenticity—and a killer hoodie—never go out of style.