As someone who lives and breathes high fashion streetwear, I‘ve tested my fair share of "hypebeast approved" brands. From Supreme to BAPE to Stussy…you name it. But no label has impressed me more than Kith.
After nearly a decade of dropping covetable kicks and threads, Kith stands in a league of its own. Having purchased thousands of dollars worth of their gear, I can say with full confidence their eye for quality and comfort is second to none.
So strap in, because I‘m excited to share my thoughts on why Kith reigns supreme in the world of luxury streetwear (at least in my humble opinion!)
A Brief History of Kith – From Local Shop to Global Phenomenon
Back in 2011, footwear veteran Ronnie Fieg decided to launch an ambitious new streetwear brand that fused classic East Coast style with premium Japanese influences. The name "Kith" was chosen as shorthand for "friends and family" – signaling the close-knit community ethos Ronnie wanted to create.
After opening their first location in Brooklyn, New York, Kith quickly developed a cult following for their takes on heritage athletic wear and Italian-made sneakers. Within just 5 years they had expanded to open over half a dozen US retail locations while dropping covetable collabs with brands like Adidas, Cap‘N Crunch and Rugrats (!)
Fast forward to today, and Kith is now valued well into 9 figures following investments from venture capital firms like General Atlantic. They operate over 60 stores globally while pushing out fresh mens, womens and kids apparel collections every single week.
Some key stats that underscore just how massive the Kith empire has become in only a decade:
- 170K+ Instagram Followers in 2011 vs 2.6 million today
- Estimated 3,000% revenue growth since 2015 ($12 mil vs over $300+ mil)
- Expanded from 1 store in 2011 to over 60 global stores in 2022
- Featured in GQ over 25 times in the past 3 years
But beyond the rapid expansion and hype machine, Kith actually makes high quality goods able to satisfy even the pickiest streetwear heads.
Why You Can Trust Kith Quality: A Look Behind the Curtain
Kith may now be a household name alongside Nike and Supreme, but I still consider it a "best kept secret" when it comes to understanding quality manufacturing. Because unlike other streetwear startups, Kith designs, develops and tests every single garment in-house across 3 separate ateliers.
The Kith Innovation Lab
Tucked away in their Brooklyn HQ is a state-of-the-art product testing facility outfitted with over $2 million of lab equipment. We‘re talking 3D digital scanners, spectrometers, snag testers – anything needed to transform raw materials into covetable fashion pieces.
Here new fabrics and garment samples go through rigorous quality assurance checking. Things like:
- Abrasion resistance: Testing for optimum durability
- Color accuracy: Ensuring precise Pantone and dye matching
- Measurement: Guaranteeing optimal shrinkage and sizing
This data-drive approach allows Kith to perfect every clothing spec down to the stitch. While other streetwear brands rely on 3rd party factories, Kith manages it all start to finish.
Strategic Manufacturing Partners
Kith also maintains direct partnerships with Italian mills and factories responsible for some of the most iconic heritage brands on Earth. We‘re talking wool experts like Lanificio Colombo who supply textiles to Brunello Cucinelli, Loro Piana and Chanel.
Not only does this access to ultra-premium materials give Kith‘s basics unmatched comfort. But having a hands-on role means they can make custom fabrics unavailable anywhere else.
For example, create proprietary wool + cashmere blend only used for Kith‘s Williams III hoodies. Or develop an exclusive lightweight denim with just enough stretch perfect for the Crosby selvedge jeans.
Unparalleled Quality Testing
Another key area that sets Kith apart? Their rigor around quality assurance and control engineering.
Kith‘s NYC ateliers house an inspection team with a combined 30+ years working in bespoke suiting and runway couture. These fashion veterans handle final fittings and quality assurance checks on every single sample run.
That means intricately inspecting stitching, points of measurement, and material defects through multiple wears with a keen eye only developed over years in the industry. If something doesn‘t feel perfect – back to the drawing board.
This precise approach carries over to production runs overseas as well. Kith has an entire Hong Kong-based team that monitors mass factory production, ensuring the highest standards are upheld.
The result? Meticulously crafted wardrobe staples able to justify the admittedly hefty retail prices.
Putting Kith Quality to the Test: My Reviews of Their Best Gear
Sure, maybe all this talk of Italian fabrics and testing labs sounds good on paper. But how does it actually hold up?
Well I‘m happy to report I‘ve purchased tons of Kith gear over the past 5+ years. And across the board their quality shines through, with some items becoming my new go-to‘s after just one wear.
Here‘s a sampling of my personal thoughts on Kith‘s crème de la crème – their most impressive releases that I proudly rock on a regular basis:
Kith x Clarks Wallabee
Kith put their spin on this 1970s footwear icon through upgraded materials plus freshly colored variants. The unique woven wool upper with exposed foam is a real stunner.
After wearing my olive green pair nearly weekly for 3 years now, they‘ve help up flawlessly. Beyond stylish but also extremely comfortable even during long days thanks to the cushioned crepe sole.
For $180 I haven‘t found a better fall/winter shoe. And I always I get compliments when I rock them!
My Rating: 5/5 Stars
Kith x Russell Athletic Fleece Hoodie
I‘ll be honest: I used to think fleeces were boring. But then I got my hands on Kith‘s collab with Russell Athletic and it fully changed my mind.
They took the classic rugby shirt silhouette and upgraded everything. We‘re talking custom 400 gsm cotton fleece, nubby tactile overlays, and asymmetrical cotton/poly paneling.
The colors and textures they use takes a basic sweatshirt into high fashion territory. After repeated heavy wear the neck and cuffs have help shape perfectly. At $165 it‘s my favorite hoodie, period.
My Rating: 5/5 Stars
Kith Treats Cereal
Even Kith‘s adventurous takes on unexpected items like packaged cereal prove they can perfect pretty much any clothing or lifestyle product.
Case in point: Kith Treats cereal. Launched in 2016 at their SoHo NYC location, it took America‘s favorite breakfast food into high fashion territory through creative flavors and packaging.
The flakes stay perfectly crisp after weeks sitting in the box thanks to thicker cereal pieces and rice paper liners. And flavors like Cinnamon Toast Crunch with miso caramel or coconut cold brew with candied pecans absolutely deliver.
Priced at $25 per box, it‘s a worthwhile splurge!
My Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Kith Manhattan Roll Neck Sweater
Every fall I stock up on Kith‘s roll neck sweater offerings, which combine old school silhouettes with modern slim fits.
The Manhattan roll neck has become my personal go-to over the past 3 seasons. The soft, brushed lambswool they use is dense yet breathable – keeping me warm without overheating indoors.
And even after repeat wears and washes it holds structure nicely to avoid getting misshapen. For a reasonable $128 you won‘t find many better knits.
My Rating: 5/5 Stars
Kith vs The Competition: How Other Streetwear Brands Stack Up
Sure, by now you don‘t need me to convince you Kith makes some seriously legit clothing. But how do their staples stack up against other established streetwear labels?
To give the full perspective, I mapped out how Kith compares across 4 key categories:
|| Supreme | A Bathing Ape | Armoury | Kith
|- |- |- |- | -|
|Quality| ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
|Style | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
|Consistency | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
|Value | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Key Takeaways
- Supreme offers more bold style but quality varies each drop
- BAPE is hit or miss, with some all-time designs but many duds
- Armoury nails consistent quality but very conservative styling
- Kith is the perfect blend of adventurous style paired with impeccable quality
So while personal style preferences may dictate which brand suits you best, I firmly believe Kith comes out on top for blending quality, consistency and innovation.
Building Your Own Kith Collection – Must Have Pieces
Hopefully by now I‘ve won you over to #TeamKith! So for anyone looking to dip their toes in, here are the 5 must-own pieces I recommend adding to your rotation:
1. The Williams Hoodie
Kith‘s Williams hoodie comes in a variety of super soft fleece material mixes. They‘re perfect for both outdoor adventures or Netflix binges thanks to the relaxed fit.
2. Manhattan Roll Neck Sweater
A timeless fall staple that only looks better with age. The lambswool material wears nicely over time.
3. Lafayette Sweatpant
You simply can‘t beat Kith‘s sweatpants when it comes to all day comfort. Smart tapered fit that works for both errands and lounging.
4. Kith x Clarks Wallabee
This revamped 1970s shoe never goes out of style. Treated wool upper means it ages perfectly.
5. Air KITH Tee
An ideal starter Kith tee with classic styling. Premium cotton holds dye nicely for years on end.
Parting Thoughts
Whew…I told you I can talk Kith gear all day long! Hopefully this breakdown better explains why I rate their apparel so highly.
Sure Supreme might have more hype. And there‘s always new players gunning for the streetwear crown (cough Yeezy). But in my opinion, Kith still sits comfortably at the peak of mount streetwear when blending quality, consistency and overall drip.
So next time you‘re looking to cop a grail piece, I suggest bypassing the resale sites and checking that Kith drop list first 😉
Let me know if you have any other questions!
