In the realm of modern music and streetwear, few names have bridged the gap between sonic influence and style statement like The Weeknd. With his 2017 Starboy: Legend of the Fall World Tour, Abel Tesfaye didn’t just dominate stages—he curated a lifestyle. Among the memorabilia and exclusive merch from this era, one standout piece continues to turn heads: The Weeknd 2017 World Tour Black Hoodie.
This article isn’t just about a hoodie—it’s about the culture, the moment, and the lasting imprint of The Weeknd’s most iconic tour.
The Birth of a Legend: Starboy and the Tour That Followed
Before diving into the hoodie itself, it’s essential theweekndshop to understand its roots. The Starboy album, released in late 2016, marked a stylistic shift for The Weeknd. Collaborating with artists like Daft Punk, Kendrick Lamar, and Lana Del Rey, he merged brooding R&B with futuristic pop and electronic sounds. The result? A global phenomenon.
The 2017 World Tour, aptly named Starboy: Legend of the Fall, brought this vision to life. It was dramatic, theatrical, and infused with neon-noir aesthetics—a blend of dystopian vibes and high-fashion edge. And the merch? A physical embodiment of that mood.
The Hoodie That Stole the Spotlight
Amid the array of tour merchandise, the black hoodie stood out like a shadow in the spotlight. With its minimalist yet bold design, it wasn’t just a piece of merch—it was a fashion statement.
Design Breakdown
Let’s dissect what made this hoodie such a masterpiece:
- Color: Jet black. Timeless, versatile, and in keeping with The Weeknd’s brooding aesthetic.
- Material: A high-quality cotton-polyester blend that provided both warmth and breathability—a perfect balance for year-round wear.
- Front Print: Subtle branding. In many cases, a small XO or tour date insignia rested on the chest—just enough to signal affiliation without screaming for attention.
- Back Print: This is where the drama unfolded. Tour cities often printed in stark white or red ink down the spine or across the back, sometimes accompanied by the Starboy lightning bolt or an image of The Weeknd himself.
- Fit: Oversized and relaxed, reflecting the streetwear trends of the time while staying true to concert comfort.
The understated but impactful design made this hoodie a go-to for fans and fashion lovers alike.
Streetwear Meets Stardom
What’s unique about The Weeknd’s merch strategy—particularly with this hoodie—is how it blurred the line between fan gear and fashion-forward attire. The hoodie could just as easily be seen in a mosh pit as it could at a fashion week afterparty.
The use of minimalist design, premium materials, and sleek color palettes mirrored the success of other streetwear giants like Fear of God, Yeezy, and Off-White. In fact, many of The Weeknd’s pieces during this era felt like they could be capsule releases from high-end streetwear labels.
Cultural Symbolism: More Than Just Merch
Owning the 2017 World Tour hoodie meant more than attending a concert. It became a marker of taste, of being part of a particular cultural wave that The Weeknd was riding and reshaping. This was a time when R&B was mutating—becoming darker, more cinematic—and fans who aligned with The Weeknd’s evolution wore the hoodie as a kind of badge.
Just like tour tees from vintage Rolling Stones or Tupac concerts, The Weeknd’s hoodie holds a kind of nostalgia—conjuring memories of that explosive 2017 tour, the moody stage lights, and the haunting echoes of Reminder or Die for You vibrating through stadiums.
Collectors and Hypebeasts: The Hoodie’s Second Life
In the years since the tour ended, the black hoodie has taken on new life on resale platforms like Grailed, StockX, and eBay. With limited quantities and the growing popularity of vintage merch, prices have soared.
Collectors see the hoodie not just as clothing, but as a moment frozen in time. And with The Weeknd continuing to evolve artistically—from After Hours to Dawn FM—fans look back at the Starboy era with a sense of reverence.
How to Style It: A Streetwear Essential
While it’s a collectible, the hoodie is also an incredibly wearable piece. Here’s how fans and fashion enthusiasts incorporate it into modern wardrobes:
- Classic Streetwear: Pair with distressed denim, high-top sneakers, and a beanie for an effortless off-duty look.
- Layered Fit: Throw it under a bomber jacket or oversized coat for added texture.
- Monochrome Vibe: Rock it with black joggers and boots for a sleek, all-black ensemble.
- Gender-Neutral Flex: Its unisex design makes it an easy pick for anyone wanting to channel a moody, starry vibe.
Behind the Merch: XO Brand Influence
The hoodie also signals the rising power of The Weeknd’s own XO brand. What started as a fan label evolved into a legitimate fashion line, with collaborations ranging from Puma to BAPE.
The World Tour hoodie was a prototype for what would become the XO aesthetic—bold, mysterious, and cool without trying too hard.
A Time Capsule in Fabric
More than just cotton and ink, The Weeknd 2017 World Tour Black Hoodie is a time capsule. It speaks to a moment when pop and R&B were being redefined, when concerts felt like cinematic events, and when music merch became a new kind of luxury.
For fans, it’s a piece of history.
For fashion heads, it’s a statement.
And for everyone else? It’s a reminder that sometimes, music and style are one and the same.
The Final Word: Why It Still Matters
In a world oversaturated with merch drops, collabs, and fast fashion, the black hoodie from The Weeknd’s 2017 tour stands the test of time. It wasn’t trying too hard. It didn’t rely on gimmicks. It was pure, authentic, and effortlessly cool—just like the artist behind it.