We Are Living in a World of $2,000 Drug Rugs

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Baja hoodies, the patterned pullovers commonly worn by stoner types and lovingly nicknamed "drug rugs," have inexplicably landed in luxury stores with four digit price tags attached. Michael Kors is selling a silk and wool blend baja hoodie for $1,150, while Alexander Wang has done an insect-printed cotton style for $1,895. CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund winner The Elder Statesman takes the cake for most expensive drug rug at a whopping $2,225. At least it's cashmere?

There are even more pricey baja hoodies at the three digit price point (consider these your entry-level expensive drug rugs). This $278 version is sold out on Shopbop, while Cynthia Vincent has one for $275, Wang's diffusion line T is selling one at $550, and The Elder Statesman is offering a $665 style, available in three market demand-meeting color choices. Your best bet in the category is probably Ralph Lauren Black Label's $898 cableknit style, which is currently on sale for $169. All things considered, not a bad price for a cashmere sweater.

Baja hoodies in the American style lexicon date back to the '70s, imported from Baja California, Mexico by West Coast surfer types. The weight of the sudadera de jerga is ideal for chilly beach nights, and the coverups caught on. Of course, '70s surfers are also associated with pot, and the look has grown to encompass a breadth of stoner types, from high school hacky sack demi-bros to full-blown burnouts.

So why the designer makeover of the Baja hoodie now? We have a few guesses. First, the '70s are the new '90s, as decade du jour goes. Second, it seems like a pretty natural extension of the activewear trend we've come to know as the norm, with souped up sweatshirts at pricepoints low to high. In fact, Miley Cyrus stylist Lisa Katnic predicted this evolution back in September of last year: "I think that 'stoner' is going to be the new look," she told The Cut at the time, citing saggy shorts and dreadlocks as an "earthy" extension of activewear and gushing over a VFILES show she styled pairing athletic socks with rope sandals.

Third, being pro-pot is kind of in style right now. The uptick in states voting on, and legalizing, recreational and medical marijuana has Mary Jane in the spotlight, and declaring your stance is something of a lifestyle fashion statement in itself. To seal that point, consider the 14-karat gold joint case Style.com tossed in its holiday gift guide. The vessel retails at $8,750, the perfect accessory to a $2,225 drug rug.

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