Two distinct moods collide as minimal streetwear meets performance driven pickleball design.
A Softer, Minimalist Direction in AAPENOW
For Spring Summer 2026, AAPE BY A BATHING APE® refines its visual language through AAPENOW, presenting a collection rooted in understated styling and everyday versatility. Framed by the calm, light filled setting of a traditional Korean tea house in Seoul, the campaign signals a deliberate move toward minimalism. Soft pastel tones spanning pink, blue, green, and yellow dominate the palette, bringing a sense of freshness to textured cotton essentials.
The silhouettes reinforce this relaxed but intentional shift. Cropped polos and tees introduce a sharper, more tailored proportion, while wide leg denim and striped shirts inject subtle personality. Heritage remains central, yet the design details feel distinctly contemporary. The Moonface logo appears in playful reinterpretations, including transparent badges and card inspired motifs, lending visual intrigue without overwhelming the garments.
Technical Utility Meets Everyday Wear
Functionality plays a key role in the collection’s evolution. Lightweight outerwear incorporates 3M Scotchgard™ treatments for water repellency alongside UPF40+ sun protection, positioning the pieces for real world, day to day use. Rather than leaning purely decorative, AAPE continues to blur the boundary between style and utility, aligning with its long standing philosophy of adaptability.
Pickleball Becomes a Design Playground
In parallel, the brand pivots toward sport with the introduction of its PICKLEBALL Collection, a capsule that channels the kinetic energy of one of the fastest growing global lifestyle movements. The visual identity shifts dramatically here, trading pastel restraint for a vibrant blue and green color scheme punctuated by the bold AAPE UNION graphic.
Performance innovation defines the range. Half zip jackets and cargo track pants utilize Teflon® coatings for enhanced resistance against water and oil, while Cool Touch fabrics prioritize breathability, moisture management, and quick dry comfort. The pieces are engineered to move effortlessly between competition and casual wear, reflecting pickleball’s hybrid cultural status.
Completing the narrative, AAPE extends its branding beyond apparel with custom paddles and court accessories, reinforcing the label’s intent to participate fully in the sport’s lifestyle ecosystem.
The AAPENOW Spring Summer 2026 collection is available now, while the PICKLEBALL Collection launches February 13, 2026 through flagship locations and AAPE.com.
