allabout japan
allabout japan

10 Ways to Deck Yourself Out in Okayama Denim

Want to cover yourself in denim? Why not go to the heart of denim in Japan—Okayama! Below, Okayama Denim outlines its Top 10 picks for denim and other Okayama- and Japan-based gear (including suede and lambswool!) that won't steer you wrong, whether you're a denim newbie or a true denim head!

By Okayama Denim

6. Fullcount 1109-21oz "Stand Alone" (Slim Tapered)

6. Fullcount 1109-21oz "Stand Alone" (Slim Tapered)

http://www.okayamadenim.com/products/japan-blue-jb0601-high-tapered?variant=7103927301

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

7. Kamikaze Attack Raw Slim Straight

http://www.okayamadenim.com/collections/kamikaze-attack/products/kamikaze-attack-raw-slim-straight?variant=1102072284

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

8. Anachronorm Suede Vulcanized Slip-On Sneakers

http://www.okayamadenim.com/collections/accessories/products/anachronorm-suede-shoes?variant=10011964485

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

9. Brown's Beach Early Vest

http://www.okayamadenim.com/collections/brown-s-beach-jacket/products/browns-beach-early-vest-beige?variant=7948369285

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

10. Japan Blue Sashiko Patchwork Teddy Bear

http://www.okayamadenim.com/products/japan-blue-indigo-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.

Okayama Denim

Okayama Denim exists to provide the best premium Japanese Selvedge denim to the world. All the brands available at our store originate from the textile town of Kojima in the prefecture of Okayama, which has a rich history of producing textiles. Kojima is credited as the birthplace of Made in Japan jeans.

www.okayamadenim.com