10 Ways to Deck Yourself Out in Okayama Denim
6. Fullcount 1109-21oz "Stand Alone" (Slim Tapered)
Most people prefer a wearable pair of jeans—and then real denim heads look for that "heavyweight" pair. The Fullcount 1109-21oz is great for the more advanced denim head looking to take on the beastly 20-plus heavyweight range.
7. Kamikaze Attack Raw Slim Straight
This is a name that makes you think, "Is that even okay?" But once you get over the controversial brand name, you'll see that these guys offer affordable jeans at an amazing price. Great for entry level, their 16oz denim isn't overwhelming by any means, and it's fairly easy to wear upon purchase without too much breaking in.
8. Anachronorm Suede Vulcanized Slip-On Sneakers
Another brand hailing from Okayama that has been around for over a decade, Anachronorm comes in with these suede slip-on sneakers. Made entirely and proudly in Japan in the Kurume area of Shizuoka Prefecture, the process of creating the sole is called vulcanization, something that was once common in the production of U.S.-made sneakers, but essentially vanished after most shoe production moved to China in the '70s. Japan adopted the technique, however, and there are only a handful of factories that can even produce this type of sneakers anymore.
9. Brown's Beach Early Vest
Here's a vintage-hunters' favorite: the BBJ Early Vest. The history of this pattern and fabric dates back to the turn of the century, when the brand first started in Massachusetts. Fast forward 100 years, and they're being produced entirely in Japan after the rights for the brand were bought up by a Japanese company and it was resurrected after the brand went defunct in the 1950s.
10. Japan Blue Sashiko Patchwork Teddy Bear
Likely the cutest of the lineup we've laid out here, Japan Blue's take on the Teddy is, of course, indigo. Sashiko (刺し子, which directly translates as "little stabs") is one of the several indigo-based fabrics used on this piece.