Workwear Waistcoats

The waistcoat has been forgotten in England but in Japan there is some killer waistcoat action going on. Layered over shirts, knits and underneath one of our Original Workwear Jackets they start to update a simple jacket over shirt look without looking like there is too much effort. Not for everyone but for those who want that bit extra, the waistcoat could be it.

United Arrows - A dude!

Went to United Arrows the other day and was chatting to a guy who just looked mega! In the showroom today, flicking through a magazine and there he is!

Cow Books - Hunting Jacket Research & LETTERS

Two of the books I picked up at Cow Books yesterday in Naka Meguro. Hunting Jacket Research is a must have book for any guys into jackets. TL you will love it!

Cow Books - Naka Meguro

Gareth took me to the book store next to Mountain Research called Cow Books (www.cowbooks.jp) It sells rare editions of books from Beat writers and other photo based books. Inside it is like a library with a moving LED sign around the top of the space. The assistants are super friendly and they gave us a free coffee whilst we were sitting and browsing. Everything in there was unreal, even though I can't read Japanese it almost is better as I just observe without having to take too much information in. So many ideas and certainly not enough time!

Mountain Research - Nako Meguro

In Japan you see sights that make you double take where you are! We were walking down the street and all of sudden it looked like we were outside a mountain lodge! No, we were outside the Mountain Research outpost. This brand takes things to the next level where reproduction of items comes into play, fully modernised but still with authenticity. It makes UK brands and retail seem light years behind.

Brunch Furniture - Nako Meguro

This seems to be a street of furniture stores, and Brunch makes a quiet impression with various concepts along the street. Reminded me of modernised Ercol which was nice to see, each store used a different type of wood and had a variation of a theme depending on your mood. If only I had more space to bring things back!

Maiden Store - Shibuya

Shogo and Giunko took me to their store today, realy cute, some nice workwear pieces and some amazing pro-ked vintage sneakers, shame even my feet are too big!

Filmelange pop up store - Shibuya

Now this is special. Filmelange is a new Japanese brand that makes some of the most unbelievable Sweatshirts and Fleece items I have seen. The standard is high in Japan anyway but these certainly take them to the next level. Had the pleasure of meeting Ozaki the designer at the pop up store, a really nice guy. Great product, just walked out thinking "Wow!"

Andersen's Bakery - Shibuya

Heard about this bakery in MONOCLE, described almost as a slice of Denmark in Japan. Owned and operated by a Japanese family I think. The cakes and pastries we sampled were great, just the start to a day around more great stores! Off to Meguro and Naka Meguro.

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