Should you still buy Aime Leon Dore (ALD) in 2026?

If you’re buying into the Italian countryside aesthetic, and the world that Teddy Santis has built, then sure, why not. But, if you’re evaluating the brand based on quality and value, I think there are better options at similar or lower price points.

Teddy Santis found a way to embody the feeling of nostalgia, family, roots and belonging. It teleported me to a place where I felt like you were roaming the streets of Italy in the late 80s… no technology, no worries. It felt so close to his identity, like you were getting a peek into his personal life. I was first introduced to Aime Leon Dore back in 2018. It was a breath of fresh air in an era coded in hypebeast brands like Bape, Yeezy, Supreme and Off-White, ALD. This thoughtfulness in his storytelling is what makes the brand worth looking into. That’s the feeling they’re selling: enjoying life, family, and the present moment. If you’re looking to buy into the brand purely for the story, I think it’s worth it.

People (including myself) also often want to buy into the brand for their expert styling. From tapered silhouettes, to tasteful textures and beautiful color usage, the brand embodies a sense of curation and care that's not extremely prevalent within the streetwear community. The seasonal lookbooks are styled very meticulously— often employing a thoughtful use of texture, materials and silhouettes. Each outfit had contrast and cohesion, which, as a viewer, is quite enticing. So I would buy a hat here, a tee shirt there, a button down there…but, I never was able to achieve the look. Why, you might ask? Merchandising. ALD is the master of getting you to buy several articles of clothing… because without it, you will never achieve the same style. Similar to how a runway show curates every look to perfection, ALD found a way to employ this in their lifestyle brand. It makes you want to buy into it, and keep buying. To me, this wouldn’t be an issue if they offered their clothes as a reasonable price point, but to buy a full look might cost you upwards of $1,000. Achieving the look they style is substantially harder and more costly than they make it out to be, which can be quite misleading especially to new fashion enthusiasts.

In regards to the craftsmanship behind the brand, I have accumulated a few pieces over the years; from hoodies and tee shirts, to hats, jackets, shoes and more. The brand definitely sells the lifestyle, but I was slightly disappointed by the quality coming out of this brand. For something priced so highly, you would expect the clothing to somewhat uphold the high standards it presents itself with. Two of their most popular items: the classic script and globe hats were surprisingly well constructed, but aged poorly over time, and shrunk once wet. The tee shirts were soft and comfortable, but insanely overpriced for the quality of fabric. The Sherpa zip up I owned began pilling a few days after I got it. The quality of the clothes isn’t necessarily BAD, but I don’t believe it constitutes the steep price point. If you’re looking purely for quality, no, I don’t think it’s worth it.

People also frequently buy into the brand for the community and reputation. Aime Leon Dore was extremely popular between 2022 and 2024… they had lines going out of its NYC flagship storefront every release. The brand felt so fresh and new. It pulled people from all walks of life: skaters, entrepreneurs, older folks, high schoolers… everyone wanted a piece of it. When I wore my hat walking down the street, people would occasionally stop and ask me about it. I was proud to wear it… but, I ended up selling my clothes. Why? I no longer wanted this brand to reflect a part of who I was. The community had transitioned away from something that felt raw and fun, to something that felt elitist and exclusive. Wearing a hat had begun more of a status symbol. I don’t think this is what Santis envisioned for the brand, but that’s what happens when you scale and relinquish control. You lose the ability to curate your community and control the narrative.

If you are buying into ALD for the brand and the story, it may be worth it to you. In regards to price and product, there are better alternatives to ALD like JCrew, Ralph Lauren and Noah. For a lower price point, you can achieve a similar look with higher quality materials and craftsmanship. Do I think the clothing is worth the prices they advertise on their website? No… but I would be lying if I said I didn’t occasionally think about buying a piece or two from time to time.