How these $89 sweatshirts became a status symbol for teen girls

""Teens these days, if you ask them what makes a hoodie special, they have a phrase, 'what makes a hoodie a hoodie,'" Balaisis said. And while she thinks the fabric softness is key, there's another element: "For Pink Palm Puff, the unboxing moment is another huge thing for the brand. I've seen people collect the boxes.""

"" Well Spent" is a new video podcast from Business Insider with me (Katie Notopoulos, hi!) all about consumerism - how we buy things, why we buy, and what bigger forces in tech, business, and culture shape those things. Our first episode was all about real estate and the housing market - slightly more expensive than a hoodie, but you get the idea."

Lily Balaisis, 17, founded Pink Palm Puff and sells oversized pastel hoodies with a palm-tree logo priced at $89. The hoodies have become a visible status symbol among Gen Z and Gen Alpha girls on middle school, high school, and college campuses. Key product features include soft fabric, oversized fit, distinctive branding, and a curated unboxing experience with collectible boxes. Balaisis manages the company while attending school. Youth-trend analyst Casey Lewis explains that expensive hoodies act as status items for kids and that Pink Palm Puff hit a market sweet spot through design, scarcity, and brand experience.

Read at Business Insider