If you’re new to streetwear, the incessant amount of brands can get really confusing. But just when you thought memorising individual brands was hard, it gets even harder.
It’s becoming more and more common for brands to expand by creating ‘sub-brands’ or ‘diffusion lines’ – smaller labels that hold many of the core values that the original, but offer unique designs, styles and price ranges.
Maybe one of the best examples of this in the streetwear world is DJ, designer, entrepreneur and producer Nigö’s brand: A Bathing Ape (or just BAPE).
BAPE was founded in 1993, and has since become famous for its wild camo patterns, its iconic full-zip shark hoodie, and diverse collabs from Kanye West all the way to Hello Kitty.
But lurking behind the scenes is the less well-known but very similar sounding line – BAPE’s younger sibling AAPE.
AAPE can be thought of as the chill, toned-down form of BAPE, that also isn’t trying to bankrupt you (as much), but retaining enough BAPE DNA to be recognisable.
AAPE’s (relative) affordability is one of its key differences – so much so that the first Google result for ‘what is AAPE?’ produces a question posted on Reddit that reads ‘Is AAPE alright to wear or is it nothing more than poor man’s BAPE and i should stay away?’
The short answer is yes – AAPE is definitely ‘alright to wear’, and it isn’t just a shoddy, BAPE lite. It’s BAPE’s way of staying cool, relevant and affordable for a slightly younger streetwear enthusiasts who aren’t in a position to drop three figures on a hoodie.
But that’s not all. By creating a brand diffusion, A Bathing Ape can experiment with styles and aesthetics without risking the original BAPE image, keeping the OG line prestigious.
There are the obvious concerns about AAPE though, and that’s fair enough. Just like that troubled Redditor already asked, is AAPE less ‘cool’?
Will the elitist snobs of the streetwear world judge you for wearing it? Some people might argue that it really is just the inferior BAPE starter pack, but real ones know that real style isn’t about price tags – it’s about how you wear it.
If you’re thinking of dipping a toe into the world of streetwear, don’t know where to start, and still want to pay for your next meal, AAPE might just be the place to start.
Streetwear snobbery aside, AAPE gives you the opportunity to appreciate A Bathing Ape’s character with a bit less financial commitment – and if you happen to fall in love and want to level it up, BAPE will always be there waiting.
And that’s wtf the difference is between BAPE and AAPE. Mystery solved.
