Is the Yeezy Gap “Perfect” hoodie perfect?
Ye, or the artist formerly known as Kanye West, has had an eventful year so far. He released a new album exclusively on his $200 stem player, started beef with Pete Davidson, which culminated in him making a music video depicting the decapitation of the SNL star, and Kim Kardashian broke off their marriage.
Despite all of these controversies, his Yeezy brand has been able to release two collections with GAP.
Back in January, Ye released a cinematic music video and advertisement for the restock of his $90 Yeezy x Gap hoodie. I immediately ordered myself a hoodie in the black colorway, at its new $80 price tag. I received the product in the mail approximately five weeks later which was within the expected shipping range. After wearing the hoodie frequently throughout the past few weeks, I can finally determine if it lives up to its perfect moniker.
The perfect hoodie’s main draws are its cut, construction and bland design. The hoodie sports a wide and boxy cropped fit. I purchased the hoodie in a size large which I measured at 26.5 inches in width by 26 inches in length. This cut is in stark contrast to a standard large champion reverse weave hoodie I own, which I measured at 26.75 inches in width and 29 inches in length. The three-inch difference in length often forces wearers to style the hoodie with a tee-shirt peaking out underneath. This is in contrast to how Ye styles the hoodie, as he designed it to complement his body type.
The construction of the hoodie is its other allure. The perfect hoodie is double layered in its body and arms, giving it a very heavyweight feel. The smallest size, an XS, weighs 2 pounds and 3.5 ounces. To use a champion hoodie as a benchmark again, a small weighs 1 pound 9.5 ounces. The Gap hoodie is significantly heavier and, while worn, feels like a comfortable weighted blanket. The thick construction also makes the hoodie incredibly warm.
In addition to the other benefits, the perfect hoodie sports an incredibly minimal design. The only branding is a screen-printed tag underneath the hood, inside the hoodie. The light approach to branding allows the hoodie to serve as a reliable basic item for any occasion.
So is the Yeezy x Gap hoodie actually perfect? For myself, yes. For the $80 price tag, I cannot think of a better quality hoodie. I also enjoy the fit and weight of the piece as it sits on my body comfortably. However, you should exercise caution when picking a size and wait to buy the hoodie retail as it will likely restock later this year, and the piece typically sits for a few hours before selling out.
I also recommend not buying the Yeezy x Gap engineered by Balenciaga “dove hoodie” currently available on Farfetch. Practically every benefit of the perfect hoodie is missing in this piece. The hoodie has a strange fit, coming in at a whopping 33.375 inches wide. The hoodie has Gap branding on its front and a large dove on its back, making it far more flashy. And the biggest issue with the piece is that it retails for triple the price of the perfect hoodie for $240.
Maybe it’s my disdain for Balenciaga flaring up, but the perfect hoodie is a far better alternative.