Haute hoodies: What a girl wants is a Pink Palm Puff

Ask a tween or teen girl to choose her most beloved wardrobe item and the answer may well be her hoodie. So says Gianna Armine, 11, of Smithtown. Her chosen uniform for school is, “a hoodie, e-v-e-r-y-d-a-y" along with a tee T-shirt and leggings, she says, and for summer, it’s the topper of choice for beach days and cooler nights.

But here’s the rub: It’s not just any hoodie. The garment has become a bit of status symbol and certain name brands are highly coveted. One buzzy label Pink Palm Puff, which, according to lore, is the handiwork of Lily Balaisis, a 16-year-old Canadian whose plush hoodies featuring the slogan, “Everything Comes in Waves,” has captured the hearts of girls everywhere. And, likewise, the wallets of their parents with its lofty price tag of $89. Fueled by Instagram and Tik Toks showing the unboxing of the product’s eye-catching packaging, the garment is definitely a viral trend.

Valerie Sciortino, of Smithtown, bought them for her daughters Azra, 10, and Leila, 13, Christmas after working the Pink Palm Puff website (the only place they are available) where the hoodies are often sold out. “They were the ‘it’ thing,” she says. “They’re known for their positive words on their sweatshirts — I like the message — and they’re of good quality.” As for the price tag? “Every other sweatshirt the kids want is in that range,” she says calling out other must-haves including White Fox.

But the Pink Palms Puffs were worth it, she points out. “The joy factor,” when the gifts were opened, “was priceless.”

Upon receiving hers, Leila’s delight was evident. “I gave my mom the biggest hug,” she says. And Azra, who estimates she has some 50 other brands in her collection, explains, “It’s my No. 1 hoodie.” Also in her weekly rotation hoodies are popular brands such as Dandy and Essentials. “A lot of my friends have them and we text to say ‘Do you want to match tomorrow?’ ”

The perfect match

The matching hoodies is a thing. It offers, “a sense of belonging and an opportunity to bond with each other. It becomes a common and shared interest,” notes Teen Vogue’s fashion and beauty associate editor Donya Momenian,

And regarding hoodies in general, “many of today’s trends are influenced by comfort, and hoodies are a prime example,” she explains. The most beloved styles, “fit just right. Their baggy silhouettes puff out from the fitted waistbands, so they feel comfortable and cozy but are still great for style whether dressed up with baggy jeans and cargo pants or down with matching sweatpants and shorts.”

Competition is thriving

Not surprisingly, the Pink Palm Puff rage has, apparently, spawned competition. “My grandma tried to get it for me but she got it off the wrong website and I think it was a fake,” Gianna says. Her favorite hoodie is White Fox ($69.99) with its bubble letters, which she says “Gets attention. People say, ‘Oh I love your sweatshirt.” Other choice brands include Comfrt ($55) and Aviator Nation ($175). As for the Pink Palm Puff, she is hopeful. “Mom’s been trying to get it for me.”

Gianna’s mother, Gina Palermo, understands her sixth grader’s passion for the product. “You see other kids wearing trending things. She’s in school with seventh and eighth graders, and kids are like ‘I got to have that.’” And while she believes, “the prices of these things are outrageous,” she concedes, “one of these days I will get it for her.”

Best friends Sofia Gonzalez, 14, and Penelope Parisi, 13, of Centerport, each have some 20 hoodies in their wardrobes. According to Penelope, brands such as Aelfric Eden, White Fox and Edikted are very popular and the girls, “like to plan it at night and match the next day at school.” However, trends are fickle says Gonzalez. “In fifth grade, everybody wanted Aviator Nation, now it’s White Fox.” Penelope loves hers, but might leave it in the dust if she gets that Palm Puff which is tops on her wish list.