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Is Anti Social Social Club Still Cool? A Brutally Honest Comparison with Comme des Garçons

Let's be real—streetwear is no longer just a niche. It's high fashion, it's luxury, it's lifestyle. But with so many brands competing for attention, only a few manage to stay relevant. Anti Social Social Club (ASSC) once ruled the Instagram feeds and hype forums. But now? Things feel… different. Enter Comme des Garcons (CdG)—the Japanese powerhouse that's less about followers and more about forward-thinking fashion. So, is ASSC still cool in 2025? Let's get brutally honest and compare it head-to-head with Comme des Garçons. Back in 2015, ASSC was the underground brand. With cryptic captions, sadboy aesthetics, and minimalist designs, it felt raw, relatable, and rebellious. Neek Lurk turned a hoodie into a statement of emotional detachment. And it worked—for a while. Comme des Garçons didn't need internet hype. It thrived on mystique . Since 1969, Rei Kawakubo's label has challenged the norm with genderless silhouettes, torn fabrics, and asymmetry that makes runway critics swoon. While ASSC screamed on social media, CdG whispered in fashion houses—and still got heard. Let's be honest: once you've seen one Anti Social Social Club piece, you've seen most of them. The font stays the same. The slogans—'I Miss You,' 'Get Weird,' 'Mind Games'—do rotate, but the design concept doesn't evolve much. CdG doesn't follow trends—it sets them. Think deconstruction, abstraction, surrealism in clothing form. One collection could be punk; the next, a wearable sculpture. It's unpredictable, and that's the charm. ASSC's cool factor relied heavily on scarcity. But the repeated drops, lack of innovation, and sketchy order fulfillment have caused hypebeasts to move on. Let's face it—ASSC isn't at the center of the culture anymore. Meanwhile, CdG sits comfortably on a pedestal in both high fashion and streetwear circles. It doesn't need to be flashy—it's respected because it consistently delivers something different. Frequent complaints about slow shipping, missing orders, and underwhelming fabric quality plague ASSC. It's one thing to be cool, but another to be trustworthy. Crafted largely in Japan, CdG pieces hold up to scrutiny. Stitching, fit, finish—everything screams premium. You're not just buying a piece of clothing; you're buying a concept, meticulously constructed. ASSC's cultural currency has dropped. The novelty of its ironic statements has worn off, and other newer, bolder streetwear brands are filling the void. From Paris Fashion Week to collaborations with major labels like Nike and Supreme, CdG keeps climbing. It's shaping culture while others are struggling to keep up. Sure, Kanye, Travis Scott, and Kim Kardashian gave ASSC a push. But that was years ago. Celebrity attention is fleeting unless the brand evolves with them. CdG doesn't chase celebrity endorsements—they come naturally. Pharrell, Rihanna, Drake, Frank Ocean—all have worn CdG not because it's hyped, but because it's iconic. Hello Kitty. Formula 1. USPS. Fragment. Too many collabs dilute a brand's identity. ASSC's strategy sometimes feels more like quantity over quality. CdG collaborates less often, but when it does—people pay attention. Nike, Converse, Junya Watanabe—it's about synergy, not stunts. ASSC is cheaper—around $60–$120 per piece—but the value is questionable when shipping delays and fabric issues keep stacking up. CdG costs more, but it's a legitimate investment. Pieces retain value, both financially and artistically. ASSC thrived on limited drops and FOMO. But now that the mystery is gone, so is much of the excitement. CdG doesn't fade. Its designs from the '90s are still discussed today. It doesn't ride the wave—it is the wave. Type 'ASSC shipping' into Reddit or Twitter—you'll find a graveyard of complaints. Orders taking months? Not cool. CdG isn't Amazon-speed fast, but it's reliable. Whether you're shopping online or in a flagship store, the experience feels deliberate and high-end. ASSC built its brand on Instagram. It still has a solid following, but engagement has dipped—and that's telling. CdG doesn't chase clout. Its fanbase is smaller but fiercely loyal. They're not just buyers—they're believers. You used to see ASSC everywhere—now, not so much. It's become more common on resale sites than on streets. CdG is worn by everyone from artists to fashion editors to sneakerheads. Its cross-demographic appeal makes it perpetually relevant. ASSC sticks to basics. CdG dares to explore. One is comfort; the other is challenge. Let's be honest—ASSC's appeal feels very 2016. CdG? It's ageless, because it's art—not just apparel. Same font. Same hoodie. Different color. Repeat. ASSC hasn't shown much willingness to evolve creatively. CdG isn't afraid to be weird . And that's exactly why it keeps breaking new ground and influencing other designers. So, is Anti Social Social Club still cool? If you're asking from a 2025 lens, probably not as much as it used to be. The hype has fizzled, the designs are stagnant, and customer trust is shaky. In contrast, Comme des Garçons continues to innovate, inspire, and influence. While ASSC was once the face of internet-era streetwear, CdG is the soul of experimental fashion. One is a trend—the other is a legacy. TIME BUSINESS NEWS