If we’re talking about valuable streetwear that generates hype, it’s impossible to do so without mentioning A Bathing Ape, aka BAPE. The brand was born 1 year before Supreme, making it perhaps the first big name in streetwear. Many BAPE items have solid resale value and are sought after on the hype aftermarket which includes both sneakers and clothing.

Official BAPE logo via Wikipedia
Official BAPE logo via Wikipedia

Let’s dive into what makes this brand so great and we will finish up with a list of four of its hottest items on the market right now.

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BAPE: Nigo’s brainchild

BAPE Founder Nigo with Kanye West on his Instagram, @nigo
BAPE Founder Nigo with Kanye West on his Instagram, @nigo

Founded by streetwear mogul and design mastermind Nigo in 1993, BAPE remained underground hype for about a decade before being picked up big time by hip hop culture in the early 2000’s.

Nigo, although not widely known by the general public, is well connected in the celebrity realm: he’s good friends with fellow designers and music superstars Kanye West and Pharrell Williams, just to name a few.

The come up of the brand was partially fueled by rap lyrics and music videos.

Soulja Boy’s smash hit “Crank Dat” likely brought the greatest awareness to the public of the brand with the mic drop line right before the hook: “Haters get mad cuz I got me some Bathing Ape”

bapesta crank dat e1628809957476
Soulja Boy aka Young Draco flexing his BAPE in the music video for his hit Crank Dat which launched him into superstardom in 2009

Other hit songs and their music videos in the early 2000s which heavily featured A Bathing Ape include Chris Brown’s ‘Run It’, Lil Wayne’s ‘Fireman’, and The Game ft Kanye West’s ‘Wouldn’t Get Far’.

After this hype train, BAPE remained in the spotlight and still holds that place in a big way nearly 30 years after its founding in 2021.

Let’s go over some of the best BAPE you can buy today.

NOTABLE BAPE STREETWEAR

Here is a list of some of the top BAPE streetwear that’s available today, based on popularity and cultural relevance.

Kanye West x Bapesta FS-001 Low ‘College Dropout’

  • Release date: January 2, 2007
  • Retail Price: $200
  • Resale Price: $10,000+

    The iconic Bapesta FS-100 Low 'College Dropout' is one of Kanye West's first shoe collabs
    The iconic Bapesta FS-100 Low ‘College Dropout’ is one of Kanye West’s first shoe collabs. Available to buy on GOAT here.

BAPE Color Camo Detachable Shark Full Zip Hoodie ‘Blue’

  • Release date: April 2020
  • Retail Price: $459
  • Resale Price: $800+

    The BAPE color camo hoodie first released in 2016 and has been worn by celebrities worldwide. The blue colorway from 202 is one of the more popular of recent times
    The BAPE color camo hoodie first released in 2016 and has been worn by celebrities worldwide. The blue colorway from 202 is one of the more popular of recent times. Available to buy on GOAT here

BAPE College Tee ‘Black’ and ‘White’

  • Release date: April 2020
  • Retail Price: $99
  • Resale Price: $150+

    The BAPE college tee from April 2020 is a go to streetwear clothing staple. As seen on GOAT
    The BAPE college tee from April 2020 is a go to streetwear clothing staple. Available to buy on GOAT here.

BAPE Hanes White Tees

  • Release date: 2020
  • Retail Price: $99
  • Resale Price: $110+

    If you want the freshest white tees, the 3 pack of BAPE x Hanes is hard to beat even with the aftermarket price
    If you want the freshest white tees, the 3 pack of BAPE x Hanes is hard to beat even with the aftermarket price. Get the pack on GOAT here

Unlike some brands that simply come and go (remember True Religion anyone?), BAPE has established itself as a streetwear staple with longevity that will likely be the same as Nike and other greats.

Hats off to Nigo for creating such a masterpiece of a brand.

You can buy Bape hoodies, T-shirts, and more at GOAT

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JV was inspired to start Six Figure Sneakerhead after having more people asking questions than he could answer about sneaker reselling when they saw the success he was having. His intention is to create the top resource for sneaker resale education worldwide and loves to see when customers succeed, and he's always accepting feedback for all offerings which are constantly updated to suit the customer needs and the current times.

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