The Origin of Trapstar London: From Underground Secret to Global Icon

Founded in 2005 by childhood friends Mikey, Lee, and Will, Trapstar began far away from traditional fashion runways. Operating out of West London, the founders initially made custom graphic T-shirts for themselves and close friends.

To create hype and exclusivity, they used an unconventional distribution strategy: customers ordered items via text message, and the clothing was delivered in custom pizza boxes. Their tagline—"It's A Secret"—was not just a marketing slogan; it was a literal description of how the brand operated. If you knew about Trapstar, you were part of an inner circle of UK urban youth culture.

Underground Custom Tees (2005) ➔ Pizza Box Deliveries ➔ Pop-Up Drops ➔ Global Co-Signs & Runway Drops

The US & Global Explosion

What started as a secret rapidly spilled onto the global stage. Trapstar’s gritty, authentic design language caught the attention of major international music and fashion icons. Co-signs from artists like Rihanna, Stormzy, Central Cee, Drake, A$AP Rocky, and Future propelled the London label into American streetwear stores and closets.

Today, Trapstar drops sell out within seconds online, making their hoodies high-demand items across the United States, Europe, and Asia.

Key Design Features of the Authentic "It's A Secret" Hoodie

What makes a Trapstar hoodie instantly recognizable? The brand blends utilitarian comfort with high-contrast, aggressive graphic elements that demand attention.

Key Takeaway: Authentic Trapstar hoodies are crafted using heavy, high-density cotton fleece (typically 380–450 GSM), giving the garment a structured, premium drape rather than a thin, slouchy fit.

1. Gothic Arch Lettering & Chenille Detailing

The hallmark of the "It's A Secret" collection is the prominent front logo. Trapstar utilizes a signature medieval/gothic font for the main logo, usually complemented by contrasting script reading "It's A Secret" directly underneath or embroidered onto the hood. Higher-end drops feature textured chenille patches (towel-like appliqué lettering) bordered by high-density stitching.

2. Custom Metal Hardware & Aglets

Unlike standard mass-market hoodies with plain plastic tips, authentic Trapstar hoodies feature heavy metal aglets (drawstring tips) and branded metal eyelets. On premium releases, these metal hardware pieces are subtley engraved with the Trapstar "T" logo or gothic lettering.

3. Reversed Lettering Elements

A signature visual trope used throughout Trapstar drops—including the Decoded and Hyperdrive series—is the use of mirrored or reversed lettering on specific characters (such as the letter "S" or "R"). This deliberate design choice gives the hoodie a distinct aesthetic fingerprint.

4. Iconic Colorway Variations

While the classic Black/White and Black/Gold remain the most popular choices, Trapstar continuously refreshes the lineup with limited-edition colorways:

• Decoded Black/Red: Bold crimson contrast embroidery on deep jet-black fleece.

• Hyperdrive Blue/Grey: Cyber-inspired vibrant blue accents.

• Chenille Ice Blue: Soft pastel tones tailored for spring and summer rotations.

• Dazzle & Iridescent Editions: Reflective hit materials that light up under flash photography.

Trapstar Hoodie Sizing & Fit Guide: US vs. UK Measurement

One of the most common questions American buyers ask is: "How does a Trapstar hoodie fit?"

Because Trapstar is designed in the United Kingdom, its default sizing cut reflects traditional UK/European tailored streetwear standards—meaning it fits slightly slimmer and more structured compared to boxy, oversized US streetwear brands like Fear of God Essentials or Yeezy Gap.

Fit Summary

• For a Tailored / True-to-Size Fit: Order your normal size. The hoodie will sit cleanly at your waist with fitted sleeves.

• For an Oversized / Classic US Streetwear Fit: Size up one size (e.g., if you wear a US Medium, purchase a UK Large).

Official Trapstar Hoodie Size Chart (Inches & CM)

Real vs. Fake: How to Legit Check a Trapstar Hoodie

Due to massive demand and frequent sell-outs, counterfeit Trapstar hoodies flood secondary marketplaces like Depop, eBay, and untrusted online storefronts. Knowing how to spot an authentic piece before spending your money is crucial.

Legit Check Checklist:
[ ] 1. Check Neck Tag Stitching & Font Alignment
[ ] 2. Examine Chenille Patch Density & Backing
[ ] 3. Verify Metal Aglet Weight & Engravings
[ ] 4. Inspect Wash Care Label Font & Product Codes
[ ] 5. Scan Certilogo QR Code (2022+ Releases)

1. The Neck Tag & Stitching

• Authentic: The main neck label features crisp, bright white gothic lettering cleanly stitched into the seam with straight, tight black thread. The tag texture feels like premium woven fabric.

• Replica: Replica tags are often glued down or show sloppy, uneven zigzag stitching. The font on fake tags frequently appears too thick, bleeding slightly around the letter edges.

2. Chenille & Embroidery Quality

• Authentic: On authentic "It's A Secret" hoodies, the chenille embroidery is thick, plush, and firm to the touch. The border embroidery around the chenille is completely uniform with zero loose threads or visible backing felt underneath.

• Replica: Fake hoodies use cheap, thin chenille that feels sparse and sheds easily. You can often see cheap white backing canvas showing through sloppy stitching gaps.

3. Drawstrings and Aglets

• Authentic: Drawstrings are round, heavy-gauge cotton cords with weighted metal aglets. The metal hardware should feel cold and substantial to the touch.

• Replica: Fakes often use flat, flimsy laces with hollow plastic or cheap lightweight aluminium tips.

4. Certilogo & QR Authenticator Tags

On releases from 2022 onwards, Trapstar integrated Certilogo smart tags inside the inner left seam near the wash label.

• How it works: Scan the QR code using your smartphone camera or enter the 12-digit code on certilogo.com. The official database will verify instantly whether the garment is an authentic product.

Styling the Trapstar "It's A Secret" Hoodie: 3 Streetwear Outfits

The versatile aesthetic of the Trapstar hoodie makes it easy to integrate into various street setups. Here are three high-impact ways to style it:

Outfit 1: The Roadman / London Drill Aesthetic

Embrace the brand's home turf roots by pairing the hoodie with its matching Trapstar Decoded Joggers. Complete the look with iconic UK footwear staples like Nike Air Max 95s ("110s"), Nike Air Max Plus TNs, or Salomon XT-6s. Add a black Trapstar cross-body bag across the chest for a complete London urban look.

Outfit 2: US High-Low Streetwear Blend

Balance the aggressive graphics of the hoodie with modern American streetwear bottoms. Pair a black Trapstar hoodie with distressed vintage denim or oversized stacked cargo pants. Anchor the outfit with classic US sneakers such as Jordan 1 Retro Highs, Nike Dunk Lows, or Rick Owens Ramones.

Outfit 3: Layered Winter Techwear

For colder climates, use the hoodie as a middle layer. Wear it underneath an oversized black puffer jacket (such as a Trapstar Hyperdrive Puffer or The North Face 1996 Retro Nuptse). Let the gothic embroidered hood hang outside over the puffer collar, paired with weather-resistant tech pants and boots.

How to Wash & Care for Your Trapstar Hoodie

To preserve the fleece quality and ensure the chenille embroidery does not pill, shrink, or fade, follow these proper care steps:

1. Turn Inside Out: Always flip the hoodie inside out before washing to protect the front embroidery and velvet chenille from friction against the washing machine drum.

2. Use Cold Water Only: Wash on a gentle cycle using cold water ($30^\circ\text{C}$ / $86^\circ\text{F}$ max) and mild liquid laundry detergent.

3. Avoid Bleach & Fabric Softeners: Fabric softeners break down synthetic fleece fibers and weaken embroidery adhesives over time.

4. Air Dry Only: Never put your Trapstar hoodie in a tumble dryer. High heat will shrink the heavy cotton body unevenly while causing embroidery patches to warp. Hang dry or lay flat on a drying rack away from direct sunlight.

Where to Buy Authentic Trapstar Apparel in the United States

Because Trapstar operates on a limited-drop model, buying directly requires timing and preparation.

1. Official Drops (trapstarlondon.com)

The safest way to purchase authentic Trapstar at retail prices ($120–$160 USD) is directly through their official webstore during announced drops.

• Pro Tip: Join the official Trapstar mailing list and turn on notifications on their Instagram account (@trapstarlondon). Drops typically occur on Sundays at 7:00 PM GMT (2:00 PM EST) and require fast checkout as high-demand items sell out in under two minutes.

2. Verified Resale Marketplaces

If you missed the drop, you can purchase verified authentic items through trusted secondary markets:

• StockX: Offers global authentication processes, showing historical price trends for specific hoodie drops.

• GOAT: Excellent for acquiring brand-new and lightly worn streetwear pieces with secondary authentication checks.

• Grailed: Great for finding rare, archived, or sold-out vintage Trapstar collections directly from individual collectors. Always look for "Grailed Authenticated" badges.

Summary: Why Trapstar Continues to Rule Modern Streetwear

The Trapstar "It's A Secret" Hoodie is far more than just a comfortable piece of fleece—it is a wearable symbol of London's rise to global fashion prominence. By combining raw underground drill culture with high-spec manufacturing and strict exclusivity, Trapstar has built a legacy that stands alongside the biggest names in global fashion.

Whether worn as part of a full tracksuit or styled down with classic denim and sneakers, an authentic Trapstar hoodie remains a timeless statement piece in any modern wardrobe.