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Harajuku, Koenji, Osaka – Everlasting Fashion


There are extra classic outlets in Japan than anyplace else. Notably in Harajuku, the style space of Tokyo, and in Koenji, a district about 40 minutes from the centre. 

However elsewhere too – Osaka, historically a style centre in Japan, has high-end locations like Acorn in addition to scores of contemporary pre-owned outlets. And even someplace small like Kobe across the bay has higher classic than London. 

Classic has develop into so fashionable that it’s more and more specialised. In Ginza, the luxurious space of Tokyo, there are a number of outlets promoting pre-owned purses, one of the spectacular being Allu, which has 5 flooring of Hermes and Chanel. In Harajuku, the Berbejin group opened a brand new retailer simply to cater to the nineties style of genuine band T-shirts and black Levi’s.

Folks purchase classic for many causes they usually don’t essentially overlap. These embrace worth, entry, historic significance, uniqueness, high quality and character. The nice factor is that in Japan you’re feeling every section is catered for; it’s a educated market, so discovering an absolute discount isn’t simple, however what you need might be there someplace. 

Under are the three areas we targeted on throughout our go to – Harajuku, Koenji and Osaka – with the favorite outlets in every, plus some observations alongside the way in which. 

HARAJUKU

In Harajuku the classic is combined in amongst huge manufacturers and teenage fashions, which is barely complicated, notably given the neighbourhood’s hectic pedestrianised streets. 

Some like Berbejin are well-known, others like Jumble much less so, nevertheless it’s value persisting – every typically has a speciality, whether or not it’s navy useless inventory or grungier kinds working from Nineteen Forties leathers to Nineteen Nineties steel.

I ought to say that we owe a debt to Ethan Newton who confirmed us spherical a few of his favourites. It seems Ethan doesn’t simply have an awesome eye, however is a good private shopper too – a number of the finest issues Alex [Natt, photographer] and I purchased have been his recommendations. 

Berbejin – Top-of-the-line recognized, and normally busy. A spread of Americana, navy and sportswear, however an excellent, pretty high-end choice. The navy stuff is on the again, the uncommon denim downstairs.

Pretend Alpha – A part of the identical group, however with extra of a give attention to older Americana and denim. Plus some deadstock on the right-hand aspect. 

2nd Avenue by Jumble Retailer – 2nd Avenue is a sequence of second-hand outlets, most of that are extra fashion-orientated and trendy. However the downstairs of the Harajuku department is basically good, with good items fairly priced: I picked up a pale-pink rayon jacket for £90. As elsewhere, the costliest and rarest items are those hanging from the ceiling. 

Pigsty – Additionally a sequence, and the one we went to in Osaka wasn’t nice. However this one, in Harajuku, was higher. Like Jumble, it’s barely cheaper than the likes of Berbejin however with some good items. I acquired an outdated light yellow Harrington for about £65 (although keep in mind the alternate price is sweet proper now.)

Banana Boat – Good for useless inventory: classic clothes that has by no means been worn. There’s another classic too, nevertheless it’s principally high-end. The very fact all the pieces is in plastic wrapping (like a comic-book retailer) is a useless giveaway. 

Laboratory – Good for band T-shirts, and fairly a grungy choice general – trendy upstairs, older downstairs (as is commonly the way in which). Slightly cheaper than Berbejin and its kin, however the product isn’t as pristine both. 

Vostok – I discovered some actually good issues final time I used to be right here, again in 2019, however there was much less this time round. There have been some good Levi’s, although as with most classes which have develop into uber-popular, they have been very costly – £700 and over. 

KOENJI

Koenji looks like an actual Japanese neighbourhood – much less affluent, with the one vacationers right here for classic (although even they don’t normally make the journey). Extra like a spot for the purists.

A lot of the outlets are scattered across the space to the south of the prepare station, within the lined buying space and the streets round. Although a shocking quantity, like Whistler, are additionally three or 4 streets away, nearly as in the event that they wish to be arduous to search out. 

There’s a lot classic right here – notably someplace like Whistler – that it’s value reminding your self prematurely what you’re there for. Personally I discover it useful to have a small hit record of (for me, 40s US chinos, a rayon jacket, some attention-grabbing sun shades) and use that to focus, but additionally be open to inspiration, searching and flicking and usually staying open-minded. As I’ve written earlier than, I typically discover that essentially the most pleasurable facet of classic. 

Safari – Safari is the perfect recognized of the classic outlets in Koenji, however is definitely six outlets, every with totally different specialities:

  • Safari 1, the perfect and what most individuals would name classic
  • Safari 2, extra trendy American, Ralph Lauren and many others
  • Safari 3, European traditional menswear and tailoring
  • Safari 4, modern, trainers and out of doors/mountain climbing clothes
  • Safari 5, European and designer labels
  • And Safari Gallery, antiques, furnishings and artwork

Whistler – Slightly little bit of a stroll away, Whistler specialises in American clothes and has an incredible vary of footwear. As one shoemaker put it, he may study the whole historical past of American footwear by searching these cabinets; Alex purchased an awesome pair of unbranded demi-boot moccasins. Be sure to go upstairs too (separate entrance): that’s the place I discovered my 40s chinos. 

Trunk – Principally European, actual classic to trendy, so searching jackets combined in with Hermes leather-based. A very nice curation. 

Suntrap – Fairly high-end, with some new clothes alongside classic Americana. Unusually, they’ve a web based store too

Large Time – A sequence, with branches round Japan. As their on-line store exhibits, it’s additionally fairly modern in most locations, however the Koenji department is extra classic and typical of locations on the primary strip right here: giant, rambling however value sorting by way of. 

Small Change – Much like Large Time: males’s and girls’s, a bit patchy, but additionally cheaper and with a wide array. 

Oh and should you go to Koenji then do pop into Terry Ellis’ store, Mogi, which mixes new and outdated clothes with folks artwork. Function on that coming individually.

OSAKA and KOBE

Buying in Osaka opened my eyes to how huge pre-owned clothes is in Japan. In some areas there have been nearly nothing however second-hand outlets, and there was one whole alleyway with tiny specialist locations.

The best way youthful individuals wore classic, too, was inspiring – mixing unusual militaria with noughties designer labels for instance. It introduced residence how a lot second-hand clothes permits individuals to precise themselves, as a result of there are such a lot of eras and kinds. 

Nevertheless, the overwhelming majority of retailers in Osaka promote what some name ‘new period’ classic – broadly from the Eighties onwards. It’s principally for fashion and uniqueness, reasonably than high quality or significance, and whereas actually attention-grabbing, it gained’t be what most readers are after. What we record listed here are the exceptions. 

Acorn – Merely essentially the most high-end, curated classic store I’ve ever been to. Not numerous items on show – maybe 200 – however essentially the most sought-after variations of all the pieces. Three M65s, in three totally different sizes, all completely light; 5 pairs of big-E Levi’s in unusually wearable sizes and situation; ditto three French moleskin workwear jackets; ditto sun-faded hoodies; and so forth.

Nats – The other, nearly. Throughout the road from Acorn, an enormous place with 1000’s of things within the again (above). This nonetheless isn’t thrift, however the vary is a lot bigger (in fashion, in situation, in worth) and rewarded going by way of rack after rack. 

JAM – One of many new-era locations, however that does imply it’s low cost and there’s a wide selection. For those who’re eager about extra trendy items (made-in-America Carhartts for instance) it’s value a glance. 

Magnets – Kobe and Osaka are primarily one metropolis, because the trade is so unfold alongside the coast, however the streets of Kobe have a unique, extra seaside really feel. This little classic store is run by an ex-McCoys worker and is very nice; not value travelling for, however actually popping into should you’re in Kobe. 

XXX (from Alex) – A captivating store in Kobe, with a number of ranges. The mid-level has an attention-grabbing mixture of eras of outside clothes, properly introduced and curated. It looks like a daily outdoor store till you discover most issues are classic. The highest flooring has a wider vary – none of it pre-Nineteen Sixties, however once more a wide variety. 

As to what I purchased, other than the 2 jackets and chinos talked about, there have been two pairs of denims – one 90s and low cost, one 60s and costly – a pair of Ray-Ban aviators and a forties suede jacket. The latter was from Safari and can want some restore work, however that meant it was half the worth. And I do know Cromford will be capable of do it.

I’m certain all will seem on PS in some unspecified time in the future, and we will speak then in regards to the ins and outs of them. 

Within the meantime if anybody has any questions on this record – I’ve had dozens of messages already from individuals wanting suggestions – please simply let me know within the feedback beneath. 

 

The nice denims – behind glass – at Safari 1
Upstairs at Whistler
Trunk in Koenji
Nats in Osaka
Alex being requested to pose in Omotesando



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