The Palace Hoodie A Modern Streetwear Classic

The Palace Hoodie A Modern Streetwear Classic

In today’s fashion landscape, few garments have managed to strike a perfect balance between casual utility and cultural relevance like the Palace hoodie. With its roots deep in London’s underground skate scene and its global appeal stretching from streetwear connoisseurs to high-fashion circles, the Palace hoodie has become a modern classic. It’s not just a piece of clothing—it’s a symbol of identity, authenticity, and style.

The Origin of Palace Skateboards

To understand the significance of the Palace hoodie, you have to start with its creator: Palace Skateboards. Founded in 2009 by Lev Tanju, Palace emerged out of South London’s skate culture. The name "Palace" was an inside joke—it referred to the dilapidated flats where the founders lived, sarcastically calling them “palaces.” From day one, the brand combined raw skateboarding authenticity with bold British humor.

Tanju and his friends formed the “Palace Wayward Boys Choir,” a tight-knit crew that became the backbone of the brand. Their low-budget skate videos, mixed with VHS aesthetics and nostalgic 90s references, helped Palace gain early attention. While the brand began with decks and tees, it was their hoodies—particularly those emblazoned with the Tri-Ferg logo—that quickly became iconic.

The Palace Hoodie: A Signature Piece

Among all the garments Palace produces, the hoodie stands out as a cornerstone of its collections. It captures everything the brand stands for: utility, attitude, irony, and impeccable design. But what exactly makes the Palace hoodie so sought-after?

1. The Tri-Ferg Logo

Arguably the most recognizable aspect of a Palace hoodies is the Tri-Ferg—an optical illusion triangle with the word “PALACE” running along each edge. Designed by graphic artist Fergus Purcell, this logo has become a visual shorthand for streetwear prestige. Whether it’s placed on the back, front, or sleeve, the Tri-Ferg signals that this isn’t just any hoodie—it’s Palace.

Over the years, Palace has released countless variations of the Tri-Ferg: flame-filled, camo-infused, chrome-styled, and even collaborative versions with brands like adidas and Gucci. Each new version creates buzz and drives collectors to chase after limited drops.

2. Build Quality and Materials

Palace hoodies are known for their heavyweight cotton fleece, which offers both comfort and structure. They typically feature a classic design—drawstring hood, kangaroo pocket, ribbed cuffs and hem—but executed with care and attention to detail. Double-stitched seams, quality zippers (when applicable), and rich dye colors ensure longevity, even with frequent wear.

These hoodies aren’t just for lounging—they’re made to be skated in, lived in, and styled for any occasion.

3. Irreverent Design Language

What sets Palace apart is its cheeky, sometimes absurd approach to fashion. Hoodies often feature designs that reference vintage tech, obscure cartoons, retro sports branding, or intentionally bad Photoshop. Palace doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that ironic, self-aware tone resonates with its fanbase.

You might find a Palace hoodie that mimics a British supermarket logo one season, and another with surreal 3D art the next. This unpredictability keeps the brand fresh and fun.

Drop Culture and Exclusivity

Part of the Palace hoodie’s mystique comes from how it’s released. Palace follows a drop model, where new collections are released in limited batches each season. These drops typically happen on Fridays—known affectionately by fans as “Palace Fridays”—and often sell out in minutes.

Because restocks are rare and items are produced in small quantities, owning a Palace hoodie feels exclusive. This limited availability fuels the resale market, where certain pieces, especially those from collaborations or past seasons, can fetch double or triple the original price.

Platforms like StockX, Grailed, and Depop have become hotspots for fans hunting down hard-to-find Palace hoodies.

Collaborations That Elevated the Hoodie

Palace’s collaborations have played a huge role in elevating the hoodie from streetwear staple to fashion icon. The brand has worked with a wide range of labels, bringing its bold aesthetic into new realms.

Palace x adidas

This long-running partnership has resulted in sporty hoodies featuring co-branded logos and high-performance materials. These pieces blend streetwear flair with athletic functionality, and are among the most popular Palace releases to date.

Palace x Ralph Lauren

One of the most surprising collaborations in streetwear history, this collab merged Palace’s rebellious spirit with Ralph Lauren’s prep heritage. The hoodies featured classic Polo graphics remixed with Palace’s irreverent touch.

Palace x Arc’teryx

This 2022 collection was a dream for both streetwear fans and outdoor gear lovers. The collaboration introduced technical hoodies with waterproof fabrics, breathable panels, and minimalist branding—proving Palace could do performance wear just as well as fashion.

Palace x Gucci Vault

In a move that truly cemented Palace’s place in luxury fashion, the Gucci Vault collection featured hoodies dripping with maximalist design—combining bold logos, rich fabrics, and surreal aesthetics. The collab showcased Palace’s ability to move between subcultures and style tiers effortlessly.

Cultural Impact and Celebrity Endorsement

From London skateparks to international runways, the Palace hoodie has found fans across all walks of life. Celebrities like Drake, A$AP Rocky, Kanye West, Rihanna, and Skepta have all been spotted in Palace gear—often helping boost the brand’s profile with just a single photo.

In the UK, Palace is deeply tied to grime and garage culture, appearing in music videos and performances across the country. It’s worn not just for fashion, but as a badge of cultural allegiance.

How to Style a Palace Hoodie

One of the Palace hoodie’s strongest selling points is its versatility. It can be dressed up, down, or anywhere in between.

• Classic Streetwear: Pair with cargo pants or loose-fit jeans and Nike SBs for a skate-ready look.

• High-Low Fashion: Combine with tailored trousers and luxury sneakers for a contrast-driven outfit.

• Casual Weekend: Layer under a denim jacket or puffer with joggers for an everyday, comfortable fit.

• Layered Luxe: Throw a hoodie under a trench coat or over a button-up for a blend of casual and formal elements.

No matter the style, a Palace hoodie adds personality and presence.

Palace vs. Supreme: A Friendly Rivalry

Palace is often compared to Supreme, its New York-based counterpart. Both brands are rooted in skateboarding, rely on limited drops, and have achieved international cult status.

But where Supreme leans more toward New York grit and punk influences, Palace delivers a British twist—sarcastic, ironic, and unapologetically weird. Palace hoodies often play with absurdism and nostalgia in ways that feel distinctly UK-born, giving them a tone that’s less aggressive and more playful.

Conclusion: Why the Palace Hoodie Still Matters

Over a decade after its founding, Palace remains one of the most exciting and influential names in streetwear, and the hoodie continues to be its standout item. Blending comfort, creativity, quality, and culture, the Palace hoodie has earned its place in wardrobes and collections around the world.

Whether you’re skating the streets of London or flexing on Instagram, the Palace hoodie makes a statement. It says you know the culture. You respect the history. And you’re not afraid to laugh a little while looking good.