I know one of the folk form one of the Scottish families that own a cashmere business. Their sweaters were worn by JFK and were an Ivy League staple. He states that without the Japanese market recognising the quality of the garments and buyers from Japan sourcing them, they would have went under in the 90's.

Japanese are true artisans. They have a deep love and respect for craftsmanship.

A tiny detail, that typically has no effect whatsoever to the wearability or structural integrity of a piece, that I've come to appreciate from the few Japan-made items I've purchased is the absolute lack of any loose thread whatsoever. Every single one has arrived completely pristine. It's just something I've come to expect and often just trim off and clean up myself on other newly-bought clothes from elsewhere.

i lived in japan for 6 years, the clothes I bought even from Amazon japan were way better quality than anything you can find here for the same price, but not only quality, the style the details is second to none, now I usually buy clothes directly from Amazon Japan and ship to US. Japan takes whatever they absorb from the world and they make it x100 better, for example the best hamburger I have ever eaten was in this American style hamburger place in Jiyugaoka Tokyo (Bareburguer)

That point you made about Japan not claiming to be originators, I think really helps the titled statement's case. In the west, specifically the US, we seem to always credit famous people as originators. Then a famous brand picks it up and instead of knowing the history and context because celebrity x "originated" it, they don't know where to go from there. "Can't know where you're going, if you don't know where you come from"

One of the best written and delivered scripts I've seen in a long while; eloquent, interesting, informative, well paced, impressive.

Where the Japanese excel is the styling and quality of the classic Americana aesthetic. This brings them to the next level and like you said create something "truly special."

This goes deeper then just Classic Americana it tells you aspects of Japanese Culture

Now, this is my kinda topic! I have had (and still do)several pieces of Japanese denim, but I don’t have the “lifestyle.” I actually lived in Okayama and it was always around. Momotaro, Kojima, Big John, even some Edwin. Japan quality and styling. I have a small collection of American Indian jewelry and I always wear it when I’m in country. Always starts the conversations.

Nailed it. However it is hard to express Japanese culture and style to non-Japanese or those who live outside of Japan. It is a wonderful place and experiencing it over a period of time allows for the person to truly absorb

I have observed this Japanese Americano fashion style in Japan… which I love…and you have articulated that so well. The way they wear the Indian jewelry, the Indian style vest (if I described it correctly), the cowboy boots, denim… vintage America sweaters, military jackets…etc. it’s just soooo cool. I would say personally I love the Japanese Amercano style more 😉because of that Japanese characters in it 😊

Excellent conversation Sir! Japan has always expressed tremendous quality and detail in their tech, fashion and automobiles! As one who lives in america, superior brands like Roland, Yamaha, Toyota and Honda users are everywhere over here. The people of Japan should be applauded for their consistency and continued success in all the goods they skillfully create. It does speak loud when you see americans utilizing more Japanese goods over american goods...they know the quality and attention to detail fully outways the american experience. I like the recognition of their fashion designers too! Considering all the attacks Japan has endured they still bloom and their seniors live very long lives in the 100s! Keep up the great work, thanks for the video!

It seems like the Japanese fashion scene just cares more. It’s not all about “fast fashion”.

On point! A well-articulated insight on Japanese Americana fashion. Quality control, attention to detail, fabrics, dedication to their craft, and a true nod to "the old" are some elements that will keep Japan ahead of the game. It has been interesting to see how Japanese Americana has evolved. I remember many of my Japanese friend's fascination with Americana when I was a young Marine in Okinawa in 1981. During the '90s and 2000s, their fascination evolved into devotion. Recently, I had a chance to source Japanese Americana fashion items that were on display last week at the Fashion Week Tokyo 2022 trade show. The quality, detail, and passion of the maker's were on full display.

I'm gonna double down on your insane craftsmanship and quality control point. Just looking at stitching, fabric, and fit, the only gear in my closet that is tailored as well as my off-the-rack Yohji Yamamoto pieces are traditional Italian men's wear such as Canali and Kiton that don't consider fashion at all.

I keep things very basic, but I've been doing my best to grab up secondhand Japanese cottons (sweaters and jeans, especially). The textile weight, feel, and quality is completely on another level than any of the other clothes I have.

The Japanese own J. Press, a traditional men's clothier established in New Haven, CT. more than 100 years ago.

Overall I would say I agree. However I talked with you in your live streams before Reggie about how frustrating it can be trying to look for americana clothes from Japan with an authentic cut. I think since the Japanese already didn’t fit the body shapes of classic cuts they were okay with changing them. The issues comes then people like me look for true vintage cuts don’t feel satisfied by many Japanese options. Objectively they meet many of the needs and details perfectly. I just often feel disappointed by the change in the cut that often takes place. I feel that cut and pattern is so often neglected since such a large portion of the population( even true fashion fans) all wear the same medium low rise in their pants. This stops the proportions from truly being the same as they truly were back in the day. Specifically a proportioning where the torso is 1/3 of the proportion with the legs being 2/3. I know this is a specific knit pick but for me it’s personally make or break.

Great video my man. There are two brands worth mentioning within the amekaji/ Americana community. Buzz rickson and The Real McCoys. Arguably two of the best vintage repro Brands from Japan.

Ahhh. Just in time. Here we go!

In a general sense and not just Americana, its hard to tie American fashion to quality control and consistency, America its gotten so hyper focus on pushing out fashion from a purely commercial stance at the cost of not only its quality but also everything else that doesn't get them consistent fast money.

Great topic! you, sir, have framed the discussion well.

Ooohh I love the way you brought in the Antwerp influence!!! Can’t agree more!

Thank you for this video 🙏🙏🙏

I’ve thought this for a long time and I’m glad it’s being represented. They also create and rework the wheel in a more effective, efficient and sustainable way.

This has been ringing true for me during my vacation here. “Refined” is the one word that comes to mind when I think of Japanese

Always spittin 🙌🙌

def my favorite style of fashion

I believe another attribute to Japan style is theor inherit stature. It's something about theor height and body proportions that allows them to wear items distinctively. Compare that to the somewhat average westerner where the length is totally different bodily wise.

Awesome video! I experienced a of the Japanese Americana while in Japan. The explanation was really helpful, thank you.

Classic Americana belongs to the whole world. Many thanks to anyone who recognizes quality and artisanship, then works to keep it alive.

Thank you Man, a video i been waiting on you to talk about this more and go more into detail. I just have a hard time getting American pieces from Japan. Like i need a plug man haha.

They have a great fashion sense.

American so called "heritage" brand like Levis, Ralph, Hilfiger, etc. fall into the need of profit rather than prioritizing quality.

The answer is pretty obvious...americans do things first better and japanese cultivate better. Different strengths. The pioneer and the gardener.

Love your shirt!

I had no idea about any of this, but this video popped up on my recommended as an anthro student with interests in cross-cultural exchange as well as fashion youtube hit the nail right on the fuckin head.

Found out about Japanese Americana fashion a couple years ago reading Clutch magazine.

read "Ametora" by W. David Marx which explains this 100% in a great way.

Spot on bro! 👏👍🙇

There’s a great Japanology episode on Hawaiian shirts and the ways Japan has been involved with them since their inception

Also, the japanese deep appreciation to the US military wear, such as from OrSlow, Corona Utility to name a few.

Yo Reggie, what brand is your button up? Love the style

Craftsmanship!!!!!! Knowledge!!!!!!! Admiration!!!!!!!

I never understand what you are talking about....but........its so damn watchable dude!!!!!

gen z is defintly reviving old americana trends and aesthetics on there own. but japan defintly has taken classic americana and ran with it. plus japanese know how to texturize and layer

Great video, but I realized there was no mention of how Japanese Americana also incorporate and have a true appreciation of vintage US Military style boots and Pacific Northwest boots. Such Clinch who is a well sought after boot brand in Japan with their Yaeger boot which is inspired by the U.S. Marine Boondocker boot and their famous engineer boots inspired by what was worn by the likes of Marlon Brando and James Dean. Not to mention Stumptown and other brands getting a license to make their own custom White’s boots which are a famous Pacific Northwest boot brand and made the first and best work and casual boots. All of these are still using the classic designs of the boots, but with a little innovation and constant focus on the craft along with a huge admiration of the past which are great points in your video.

Your shirt is absolutely awesome, where does it come from?

Thank you Japan,much respect.

MCS (ex marlboro classics) fan here , and i understand now what the intention of the video was. thank you and BRAVO

Woah, surprised to see a clip from Kazuo Hara's "The Emperor's Naked Army Marches on" in the vid!

😮it’s the first time I watched a video that made total sense to me. Japanese are so passionate abt things that they go beyond its creators. They add their own history, knowledge, perfectionism and PASSION! I learn so much from them and will always learn! The Japanese made me rethink my brand and my love for Americana/militaria. I see things with their eyes now and it’s has been a beautiful trip…and still traveling! They are “nerds” in such a positive way, that the results are just outstanding. Finally, what I appreciate is their respect of the true origins/history of things. If it’s made in the USA, from the 60s, it’s a treasure! Thanks for this video and I subscribed! I have so much more to learn from your videos! Sonia 😊

Me personally I'm not into fashion at all. But, I heard Japenese fashion brands who got inspired by American fashion brands would fly to America and go into vintage shops de-construct the material and pretty much made their clothes with material much better

Great observations. I agree 100%. I would like to add Sweden as a country that has started to interpret Americana in a similar way. Indigofera is making americana/western/native american/workwear designs with an incredible eye on quality and detail. Although it's not manufactured in Sweden, they're having their work made in Portugal with the highest durability and quality. Sweden has for a long time been "little America" and inspired in a cultural way.

I love the Japanese attention to detail they are the cutting edge of modern classical fashion; I believe Manga also influences fashion just love their interpretation of period fashion and European styles.quality over quantity in everything they make

Right? A lot of RRL fans are Japanese and Korean. Could you do video related to Ralph Lauren RRL please?

hey can you drop the links for the videos you all referenced in this video? Would love to see the Japanese style timeline one!

Yes

There are a LOT of us who have very little interest in Americana from America and only appreciate the Japanese take on Americana. For those fans, there's no point comparing the two.

please do an episode on Hysteric glamour ive been dying for one

I think it goes both ways in appreciation. How many Americans love asian food, anime and get Chinese and Japanese dragons and characters tattooed. We love Japanese denim and labels. The appreciation and love is mos def reciprocated.

I just found this channel. I'm not familiar with some of the terminology like Visual Kei. Is there a glossary for this??

BEST DENIM !!!!! PERIOD !!!

I love the Japanese for their quality control. They were the only ones smart enough to buy the old looms for making quality denim.

Biggest reason Japan does it better is one thing. The better you are at your trade the higher the honor, so there's a constant push for perfection. The kicker you didn't mention is cost. $350 jeans, flannels and denim shirts. $500-750 for a military inspired jacket. $2500-3500 for a leather jacket. $1000+ boots. All based on products that adjusted for inflation would cost about 75% less even made in the US if mass produced. There are boutique brands that cost about half to 3/4 and are USA made. The original pieces were meant for the working poor and so corners were cut to keep cost down.

What an awesome topic to discuss. thank you for sharing these super interesting perspectives on men's fashion. I love Japan's fashion and subcultures and have always wondered what made them so unique when they were clearly borrowing from other cultures and countries. So cool. 👏

I have a question...from your video about brand philosophy years ago, When im doing research, what exactly am Im looking to find out about each word?

Not a workwear person. But I’ll only go Japanese for jeans. Their horsehide leather jackets look great too

I found it hilarious especially in kyoto is how hard it was to get Japanese brand denim especially secondhand. They really love Levi's and the denim jackets there even secondhand could be easily 200k yen.

I would love a pair or two of the baggy Japanese bibs that I get ads for often, but I'm a tall, big dude, and I'd be something like Asian size 5X, which I never see. haha

I am shopping in Japan.

Can anyone point me in the right direction to purchase some of these goods?

I thought this was gonna be about japanese american fashion (as in japanese diaspora living in america) and got excited as a japanese canadian person. this is cool too though.

I'm not the biggest fan Fashion, its all trendy and not timeless. However I can definitely say that Japanese people are masters of perfecting almost anything when they put their minds to it. They make the best cars, the best porn, the best swords, the best food, have the hottest women, make the best games, best comics, etc.

The degree of laziness (or lack thereof, in Japan's case), basically

Intelligent peoples,therefore will recognize quality easily.

Japanese fashion is so fun, but unique to even Japan in the Okinawa fashion. with heavy influence from modern American trends due to the over abundance of young military members. The Ryukyu island take what’s new and hip now and amp it up to the Japanese level. Plus with the tropical hawaiian influence the Okinawa is where to look for new and emerging trends.

Classic is the best

interesting

I try to buy any new cloths that is made in America and there’s been a few newer companies that have started making really good stuff but it’s not cheap. Japan is probably the only other origin cloth I’ve bought from, their quality is superb and no one disputes that.

This is also why Japan has so many Michelin starred restaurants

That knowledge you hit us with, about how Japanese source authentic indigenous jewellery, is some real f***ing irony.

are those glasses Moscot?

FACTS

Levis recently discontinued their LVC 501 line which were the last real quality denim that fit truely like how denim used to be made in the past. with these 501 quickly dissapearing. i have to say to get that level of detail i have to buy japanese denim. I still think lvc501 straight leg fit better but the japanese wharehouse brand fit pretty close

What's the store at 3:24, please?

Great episode. I've been telling my Hong Kong friends for years. They always tell me Japan is the design industry leader. When I tell them, when I was in design school, the Japanese students look up to America for inspirations. They need to rethink this model a bit. I'm glad you finally put this out in the open.

japan for sure does it better and has such expansive choices but there are dope american americana brands not to be overlooked.

we love Americana style fashion...and love creation....its simple desuyo...

The Flat Head makes the highest quality loopwheeled shirts! Oh and look at Conners Sewing Factory.

Nothing can beat the Japanese need for quality and work ethic.They take their sweet time untill they get in right, again and again.

Amekaji?

It's not even a contest really. Heritage American brands have fallen behind due to mass industrialization, and newer startups are trying to catch up (sourcing Japanese fabrics, etc. but the fits are never on point).

They are better cuz of cowboys, ronin, and anime influence nostalgia.

I had no idea that this was a thing

Does anyone know what the video @1:42 is

I'm not into fashion, but I love the fact that Japanese have "quality over quantity" mindset on things they buy and make. They appreciate quality over mindless wasteful consumption that US people have. Even their quality used items are in far better quality than brand new cheap knockoffs sold in Ebay and Amazon US, in my opinion.

Isn't it true that most of the American shuttle looms used to make selvedge denim are now in japan and used by these artisan brands

Crazy part is how Japan take american stuff and elevate it to entirely different level. For instance Japanese denim is way better(and expensive) than any american brand today

Thanks for your dedication 🙏 I dont skip de 'space' 😀