OTDW: 3sixteen
Our series of brands doing one item especially well continues this month with the 3sixteen heavyweight hoody
Words by Will HALBERT
For the last fifteen years, Andrew Chen and Johan Lam of NYC-based, premium menswear brand, 3sixteen have dominated the denim scene by adhering to one, simple principle: Produce garments that, with time and wear, become well-aged but never old. This guiding philosophy is evident in everything they now produce. From their denim, to their shirting, to their more casual basics, each and every garment produced by 3sixteen is designed to become a permanent fixture in both their lineup and your wardrobe. Their heavyweight hoody is no exception.
Now, to make your mark on such a well-known and oft-worn wardrobe staple is no mean feat, but 3sixteen’s quiet confidence and inspired design impart a level of refinement quite unheard of in the realm of the humble hoody. Authoritative yet understated, minimal yet detail-driven, the 3sixteen heavyweight hoody has quickly become a calling card for the brand’s line of casual basics, one that more than lives up to the ‘well-aged, never old’ ethos of their fabled denim wares.
…3sixteen haven’t just set the benchmark in minimal, functional, for-the-long-haul design, they’ve created the last hoody you’ll ever realistically need.
The ultra thick, custom knit fabric makes for a hefty, rigid first wear that softens and moulds to the wearer’s frame over time. A double set of custom YKK zippers – each garnished with premium rawhide leather toggles – allows for greater customisation of the hoody’s overall silhouette. The absence of pull-strings creates a stripped-back and streamlined aesthetic that boasts form and function in equal measure. These are small touches to be sure, but they elevate the hoody beyond its typically casual trappings towards a more tailored edge. In their heavyweight hoody, 3sixteen haven’t just set the benchmark in minimal, functional, for-the-long-haul design, they’ve created the last hoody you’ll ever realistically need.
This focus on form, function and subtle flourish have made the hoody a popular choice for those looking for a premium take on a menswear basic. Danny Hodgson, founder of Rivet & Hide, London’s foremost purveyors of rare denim and premium, heritage-forward menswear, explains the brand’s enduring appeal: ‘Their garments transition streetwear and classic style with ease’, he says. ‘Their fabrics are flawless, their designs minimal, and their fits peerless. The hoody’s have always been popular with Rivet & Hide customers for their versatility, working as well on their own as they do layered under 3sixteen truckers and stadium jackets.’
‘Their fabrics are flawless, their designs minimal, and their fits peerless. The hoody’s have always been popular with Rivet & Hide customers for their versatility, working as well on their own as they do layered under 3sixteen truckers and stadium jackets.’
And that’s the understated beauty of 3sixteen’s approach: Everything is produced with the bigger picture in mind. Nothing is superfluous. Theirs is a measured minimalism that speaks volumes without ever really raising its voice. ‘When I was planning to open Rivet & Hide on Windmill Street,’ recalls Danny, ‘I sought Andrew’s advice on the shop fitout. He said something that really stuck in my mind: “You only get one chance to make a first impression.”’ A premium staple forged in the fires of streetwear’s glory days, the heavyweight hoody is both a testament to 3sixteen’s clean aesthetic and a celebration of the brand’s uncanny knack for flawless first impressions. EJ
The 3sixteen heavyweight hoody is available now from rivetandhide.com
