In the fashion world, where trends flicker and fade with the seasons, streetwear has maintained a consistent presence, evolving with each generation while staying grounded in its roots. One of the most iconic and culturally charged garments to emerge from this scene is the Trapstar hoodie—an emblem of rebellion, creativity, and urban influence. But recently, a new wave has entered the scene with a twist of intrigue and underground hype: Tarpstar.
Though often associated with Trapstar due to its phonetic similarity, Tarpstar isn’t just a mispronunciation—it’s a rising force that takes inspiration from streetwear legends and redefines the narrative. To understand Tarpstar, we first need to explore the foundation upon which it’s built: the legacy of the Trapstar hoodie.
Trapstar: The Streetwear Cult
Founded in London in 2006 by Mikey, Lee, and Will, Trapstar grew from humble beginnings—screen-printed T-shirts sold out of the boot of a car—into an internationally recognized brand. With co-signs from celebrities like Rihanna, The Weeknd, A$AP Rocky, and Jay-Z (who eventually invested through Roc Nation), Trapstar became more than just apparel—it became a lifestyle.
The hoodie, in particular, became a standout piece. With bold fonts, cryptic slogans like “It’s a Secret,” and a defiant aesthetic that spoke to inner-city life, Trapstar represented a cultural crossover: grime meets fashion; underground meets high street. The hoodie wasn’t just about warmth—it was a statement.
Enter Tarpstar: A New Voice from the Underground
As fashion moves in cycles, so too do interpretations of success. Tarpstar emerged in online circles, first as a meme, then as a parody, and now as a legitimate aesthetic movement. Initially joked about as a “knockoff” or “budget Trapstar,” the Tarpstar moniker has taken on a new life, one that’s less about imitation and more about reinterpretation.
Think of Tarpstar as a commentary on the commercialization of streetwear. Where Trapstar once represented the raw, unfiltered energy of youth culture, some fans felt that the brand had become inaccessible or diluted by celebrity overexposure. Tarpstar, on the other hand, is low-fi, DIY, and irreverent. It exists in the gap between authenticity and parody, much like Vetements or early Supreme. What started as a meme is now a canvas for anti-fashion, rooted in real experiences of struggle and hustle.
The Hoodie Reimagined
At the center of Tarpstar’s rise is its take on the iconic hoodie.
While Trapstar hoodies are meticulously designed with premium materials and bold branding, Trapstar hoodies often feature intentionally rough graphics, ironic misspellings, or designs that satirize luxury fashion tropes. The aesthetic is bootleg on purpose—a commentary on fast fashion, consumer culture, and the very idea of “status” in streetwear.
One of the most popular iterations of the Tarpstar hoodie features the word “Tarpstar” in bold gothic lettering, with the tagline “It’s NOT a Secret” scrawled beneath it—a direct riff on Trapstar’s original slogan. Another version replaces the logo with reflective tape strips, giving it a construction-site feel that contrasts sharply with the glitz of mainstream fashion.
This approach resonates with a younger, internet-savvy audience—those who grew up on ironic Tumblr memes, TikTok fashion hauls, and DIY culture. To them, the Tarpstar hoodie is not just a piece of clothing; it’s a layered in-joke, a rebellion, and a statement all in one.
Cultural Symbolism and Identity
To truly grasp the significance of both Trapstar and Tarpstar, it’s essential to understand how fashion functions as identity, especially within marginalized communities. The hoodie, once demonized by the media (especially in the UK), has been reclaimed by youth as a symbol of pride and resilience.
Trapstar helped reframe that narrative, turning the hoodie into high-fashion while keeping its street edge. Tarpstar, meanwhile, brings it back full circle, reminding wearers that streetwear doesn’t need to be expensive, exclusive, or elite to be meaningful. In fact, its power lies in its rawness.
This DIY ethos also reflects broader shifts in youth culture. Gen Z, in particular, values authenticity, irony, and subversion. They are less impressed by traditional brand prestige and more drawn to ideas that challenge norms. The rise of Tarpstar fits squarely within this mindset—a glitch in the matrix that reveals the absurdity of hype-driven culture.
The Influence of Music and Online Communities
As with Trapstar, music plays a pivotal role in Tarpstar’s growth. While grime and drill helped catapult Trapstar into the limelight, Trapstar finds its footing in underground SoundCloud rap, drill parody accounts, and TikTok freestyles that blend humor with real talent.
It’s not uncommon to see upcoming artists wearing Tarpstar hoodies in their videos—not necessarily for clout, but because it resonates with their image and message. For some, it’s a way to critique the fashion industry’s exploitation of urban culture. For others, it’s just about wearing something that feels real.
Online communities, too, have driven the brand's evolution. Reddit threads, Discord groups, and Instagram meme pages have played an outsized role in turning Tarpstar from a niche joke into a cult phenomenon. Many designs are fan-made or crowdsourced, embodying the participatory culture that defines Gen Z fashion.
Is Tarpstar the Future?
Whether Tarpstar is a fleeting trend or a lasting movement remains to be seen. But what’s undeniable is the impact it’s had on how we view fashion, status, and creativity. It reflects a shift away from polished perfection and toward gritty, self-aware commentary.
The fact that something like Tarpstar Hoodie can exist—thriving without traditional marketing, retail presence, or celebrity endorsement—is a testament to the power of online culture and grassroots identity. It’s fashion for the people, by the people. And in that way, it channels the very spirit that made Trapstar iconic in the first place.
Final Thoughts: From Trapstar to Tarpstar
The Trapstar hoodie paved the way for an entire generation to express themselves through streetwear. It turned gritty reality into wearable art, and in doing so, redefined fashion boundaries. Tarpstar, emerging from the shadows of that success, offers a different message: that fashion can be ironic, accessible, and deeply personal without losing its edge.
Whether you're rocking a crisp Trapstar hoodie or a tongue-in-cheek Tarpstar version, the core truth remains the same—clothing is power, and the hoodie remains one of the most powerful garments in contemporary culture. It's armor, attitude, and authenticity stitched into one.
As streetwear continues to evolve, expect to see more movements like Tarpstar—bold, unexpected, and ready to rewrite the rules.
