Hey there, fellow fashion lover. If you‘re reading this, chances are you‘ve heard the name "Kith" tossed around quite a bit lately. Maybe you‘ve seen your favorite celeb or influencer rocking their gear. Maybe your hypebeast friend never shuts up about the latest Kith drop. Or maybe you‘ve been drooling over a pair of Kith collaborations that popped up on your Instagram feed.
But what exactly is Kith? Why all the buzz? Is their stuff really worth those hefty price tags? As someone who‘s been a loyal Kith customer for years now, I‘m here to give you the full scoop. In this ultimate Kith brand review, we‘ll cover:
- The interesting history of how Kith came to be
- An overview of their product offerings and bestsellers
- The unique Kith vibe and shopping experience
- Honest customer reviews and feedback
- My take on if Kith is overhyped or truly worth it
I‘ve spent an embarrassing amount of time and money on Kith over the years, so trust me when I say I have plenty of thoughts. Whether you‘re a total Kith newbie or already have a few of their pieces in your closet, I think you‘ll find this deep dive interesting. Let‘s get into it!
The Glow Up: How Kith Became a Streetwear Powerhouse
It‘s hard to believe that not too long ago, Kith was just a small sneaker shop in Brooklyn. But then again, founder Ronnie Fieg has always had a knack for being ahead of the curve.
Fieg‘s origin story is the stuff of streetwear legend. Growing up in Queens in the 90s, he developed an early love for sneakers, hip hop, and basketball culture. When he was just 12, he started working at his uncle‘s footwear chain, David Z. Over the years, he worked his way up from stocking shelves to head buyer, gaining a crazy knowledge of the sneaker industry and building connections with all the top players.
But Fieg wasn‘t content to just keep climbing the corporate ladder. He wanted to branch out and create something of his own, on his own terms. In 2007, he launched his first hit collaboration with Asics, a colorful take on the Gel Lyte III runner. The collab sold out almost instantly and made Fieg a bonafide name in the industry.
He steadily released more coveted sneaker collabs over the next few years, but it wasn‘t until 2011 that Fieg made his biggest move yet: opening his very own store and brand, Kith. It would be a retail space but also so much more – a physical embodiment of his carefully curated style and taste.
That first Kith shop was small but impeccably designed, with exposed brick, neon signs, and a real subway car turned seating area. Fieg used the space to showcase his rarest sneaker collabs alongside a tightly edited selection of apparel and accessories. From the jump, it was clear that Kith would be a lifestyle brand, not just another sneaker store.
Fast forward to today, and Kith has grown like crazy while still maintaining that signature vibe. Some stats to illustrate their rise:
- Kith now has 7 standalone flagship stores across the US and abroad in Paris, London and Tokyo
- Two new locations in LA and Hawaii are slated to open this year
- The Kith empire also includes partnerships with Snarkitecture, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, and even the New York Knicks
- Kith‘s collabs sell out in literal seconds, sometimes crashing the site, and regularly go for 3-5x retail on the aftermarket
- A recent private investment from the LVMH group valued Kith at a whopping $400 million
So yeah, I think it‘s safe to say Kith is killing it these days. But how did a small NYC indie brand carve out such a massive space in the competitive streetwear world? In my opinion, it comes down to a mix of trend forecasting, storytelling, and really understanding their customer.
From the very beginning, Fieg had a spidey sense for the aesthetics and cultural references that would resonate with his core demo of young, sophisticated, city-dwelling men. He designed apparel and curated brands that felt classic but fresh. Preppy but with an edge. Kith may have made its name on sneakers, but Fieg set his sights beyond just footwear very early on.
Fieg is also a marketing mastermind who knows how to make Kith feel like more than just a clothing brand. Every decision, from store buildouts to brand partnerships to celeb seeding, helps craft the Kith lifestyle.
Take the Kith Treats concept. On paper, putting a cereal bar inside a high-end sneaker store makes zero sense. But experientially, it‘s so fun and memorable. It keeps you in the Kith universe longer. And those co-branded tees and hoodies? Instant collector‘s items.
Finally, I have to shout out the Kith team for really, truly getting their customers. I can‘t tell you how many DMs I‘ve exchanged with their support team about sizing recommendations or release details. They‘ll often throw in stickers or a bonus gift with your order as a little treat. It‘s the small things, but it makes you feel so valued as a customer and part of the community.
Ok, now that you‘ve got the background, let‘s talk product! I‘ll show you all the goodies Kith has to offer these days.
Kith Product Offerings: From Cereal to Sneakers
These days, Kith is so much more than a sneaker store. Don‘t get me wrong – their footwear selection is still bonkers good. But they‘ve really established themselves as a full-on lifestyle brand. Let‘s break it down:
Kith Men‘s Apparel
Guys, this is your chance to build the ultimate cozy streetwear wardrobe. Kith brings their signature touch to hoodies, sweatpants, jackets, and more. Here are some standouts worth investing in:
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Williams Hoodie: Where my OG Kith fans at? This hoodie has been a staple in their men‘s collection for years, and it‘s still one of their all-time bestsellers. It‘s cut boxy for a relaxed but not sloppy fit. The fabric is a really thick and soft cotton-poly fleece that feels more like a blanket than a sweatshirt. And it has these subtle design details like antique silver hardware and a hidden stash pocket that make it feel special. Prices range from $150-175 depending on if you get solid colors or seasonal patterns, but it‘s 100% worth it IMO. I have three at this point.
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Kith Classics Tees: Every season, Kith drops a fresh update on their signature tees. The cuts vary a bit season to season, but in general they‘re slightly oversized without being massive. The fabric is always super soft and drapey. Lots of neutral colors along with some seasonal hues mixed in. At $65, they‘re pricier than your average mall brand tee, but the quality makes it worth it.
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Kith x Russell Athletic: Kith has a long history of A+ collabs, but this ongoing one with Russell Athletic is a personal favorite. They take Russell‘s old school athletic wear and put the Kith spin on it. Imagine: cropped crewneck sweatshirts, tearaway track pants, striped polos, and of course, hoodies galore. Prices are $90-$200 depending on the piece.
Kith Women‘s Apparel
In 2016, Kith finally blessed us ladies with a dedicated women‘s line, and it is chef‘s kiss. Fieg and his design team just get what we want – pieces that are stylish and on-trend but also hella comfy. Some of my personal must-haves:
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Kith Women Hannah Hoodie: This hoodie is cropped but not too tight. It has drop shoulders, a wider neckline, and a big ol‘ hood for maximum coziness. There‘s a subtle embroidered Kith logo on the chest that I love. At $160, it is a bit of a splurge, but I reach for mine constantly.
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Kith Women Mulberry Tee: For $70, you can‘t beat the quality of these tees. I love the slightly shrunken fit and the fact that they use really nice jersey that doesn‘t cling. There‘s usually a good mix of neutral shades like white, grey, and navy along with a few seasonal colors. I‘ve been collecting them for years.
Kith Kids
You know I had to hook up my mini-me with some Kith drip! The kids collections usually feature shrunken-down versions of their adult bestsellers, which is so stinkin‘ cute I can‘t stand it. Obviously prices are a little lower since the sizes are smaller, but you‘re still looking at $50+ for hoodies and tees. Worth it for a special treat or flex picture.
Kith Accessories
The accessories and lifestyle pieces are really where Kith flexes their collab skills. A few favorites:
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Kith x New Era: These co-branded Yankee fitteds are an instant sell-out every season. The combos of team colors, materials (satin! velvet! wool!), and logos are just too good. Expect to pay $75-95 a pop.
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Kith x Stance Socks: Another mainstay in the Kith roster. They do a custom colorway with Stance for $16-18 per pair. It‘s a fun, affordable way to rep Kith.
Kith Treats
Last but not least, we gotta talk about Kith Treats. When Kith opened their Soho flagship in 2015, they decided to put a cereal bar in it. Yes, you read that right – a whole bar dedicated to sugary cereals and ice cream. It was an immediate hit and has since expanded to become its own beloved sub-brand.
You can order up custom cereal blends or choose from combos designed by Kith friends and fam. They‘ve got a collab with Cap‘n Crunch that‘ll take you right back to childhood. The cereal-branded hoodies and tees are hugely popular too. Where else can you rock Lucky Charms on your chest, right?
The Kith Shopping Experience
So now that you‘re well-versed in the Kith product lineup, let‘s talk about what it‘s actually like to shop the brand.
In-Store at Kith Flagships
If you‘re lucky enough to live near a Kith flagship, I highly recommend popping in ASAP. Each store is designed to fully immerse you in the Kith universe.
Fieg is known for his obsessive attention to detail, and it shows in every inch of the retail buildouts. The OG Brooklyn shop had glass sneaker displays and a freakin‘ cereal bar, and they‘ve only gotten more ambitious with every new opening.
The Kith SoHo flagship is wild – there are three floors of retail plus a Treats bar AND a Sadelle‘s restaurant. Kith Miami brings some art deco glam. Kith LA makes perfect sense on hype-beast haven Sunset Blvd. And the Paris store? Forget about it. Opulence on a whole other level.
My best piece of in-store advice is to get friendly with the sales staff. They‘re all super knowledgeable and can put you on to new drops or the best sizing info. Pro tip: ask them to check the stock room if you don‘t see your size on the floor. They‘ll often have more inventory hiding in the back.
Shopping Kith Online
If you don‘t live near a brick-and-mortar location, no worries. Kith‘s webstore is super easy to navigate and they‘re always dropping new goodies.
When a big collab is about to release or it‘s Monday Program time (Kith‘s weekly drop of limited edition pieces), I highly recommend being logged on and ready at the stroke of release o‘clock. The hyped releases always go fast and Kith notoriously hates bots, so you gotta be quick on the draw.
I also recommend downloading the Kith app if you want an even more immersive experience. They sometimes do app-exclusive drops and early access for frequent customers. Plus you can track all your orders and get notifications about new releases.
One thing to note: Kith‘s online CS can be a little hit or miss. I‘ve had great experiences with their team, but I‘ve also heard of people having issues with canceled orders or slow responses. Just something to be aware of!
What Real Kith Customers Are Saying
You know I love to crowdsource, so I did a deep dive through Reddit, Discord, Twitter, and the blogger network to see what other real Kith customers had to say about the brand. Here are some highlights:
"Kith hoodies, especially the Williams, are the only ones that consistently fit me right. I‘m tall and bigger so most ‘regular‘ sweatshirts are too short on me. These are perfect." – Kev87 on Reddit
"I have Kith sneakers that are 5+ years old and still look great. The quality is there and they put a lot of thought into the small details. Def worth the price IMO." – @maggiemcfly92 on Twitter
"Unpopular opinion but I think the Treats stuff is stupid overpriced. It‘s literally just sugary cereal with a co-sign slapped on it. I‘ll stick to the actual clothes lol." – Big Sean on Discord
"Kith women‘s leggings are no joke. They‘re super comfortable and make the booty look right. Worth every penny." – Alexandra G. on her blog
Overall, the feedback matches my own experience – Kith really delivers on quality and fit. Yes, it‘s pricey, but you‘re paying for premium materials, great design, and honestly, the name clout. No one‘s really arguing that!
My Final Verdict on Kith
Alright folks, we‘ve reached the end of this epic Kith review. If you‘ve stuck with me this long, you‘re a real one. Let‘s bring it on home with my final thoughts:
Is Kith overhyped? Maybe a little. But I‘d argue that the hype is earned and deserved. Ronnie Fieg and his team truly set the tone for what a great streetwear brand could and should be.
What I respect most about Kith is that they‘ve never compromised on quality or their core DNA, even as they‘ve exploded in popularity. Every piece I‘ve purchased has been excellent in terms of materials, fit, and just the overall vibe. And his collaborations are second to none – the man has the magic touch for sure.
So, is Kith worth it? In my opinion, 100% yes. It‘s the kind of brand you can build a whole wardrobe around. I know for me, a Kith hoodie and sneakers has become my go-to uniform for everything from running errands to going out.
I think the key is being strategic with your buys, especially if you‘re new to the brand. Go for a versatile basic like a tee or hoodie in a neutral color. Or treat yourself to a pair of the Kith Asics collabs – they‘re always iconic. Don‘t sleep on the accessories and lifestyle pieces either. A Kith fitted cap will never go out of style.
As for me, I‘ll be staying tuned and keeping my wallet ready for whatever Ronnie and Kith get up to next. I‘ve been a fan for almost a decade now and I don‘t see that changing any time soon. Maybe I‘ll see you in the queue at the next Monday Program drop?
Thanks for reading fam! Let me know your Kith thoughts in the comments. Until next time, stay cozy.
