A modern take on the preppy look, featuring classic pieces worn in an oversized, relaxed style.
Styling by Riai Matsunaga
〈Polo Ralph Lauren for BEAMS〉 Denim Jacket ¥88,000, Cap ¥17,600, 〈The A〉 Shirt ¥25,300, 〈GH Bass〉 Loafers ¥39,600 (All items available at BEAMS Harajuku 03-3470-3947) / 〈Warehouse Company × BEAMS BOY〉 T-shirt ¥12,980, 〈BEAMS BOY〉 Sunglasses ¥4,620, 〈Roster Socks × BEAMS Boy〉 Socks ¥2,530, Vintage Navajo Ring ¥74,800 (All available at BEAMS Boy Harajuku 03-5770-5550) / 〈BEAMS PLUS〉 Pants ¥16,500, Belt ¥6,600 (All items available at BEAMS PLUS Harajuku 03-3746-5851)
— First, could you tell us the theme of the styling?
Matsunaga:Hmm, let's see. The theme is a bit of old-school American casual style. I put together this outfit focusing on items that evoke a sense of nostalgia, like striped shirts in retro color schemes, classic denim jackets, and chinos.
— You decided on the denim jacket early on—what made you choose it?
Matsunaga:Since I associate American casual style with denim, I decided right from the start that I wanted to incorporate some denim into my look. While browsing the store, I saw all kinds of denim items, but this denim jacket isn’t too flashy—yet it features bold embroidery—so I thought it would be the star of any outfit. Plus, the oversized fit looks so cute on a girl, doesn’t it?
— You had no trouble picking out the denim jacket, but you really struggled to choose what to wear underneath and what pants to pair it with, didn't you?
Matsunaga:In the past, I’ve always tended to stick to simple clothes, so I really struggled to figure out how to create an “American casual” look that was different from my usual style. Since a denim jacket goes with just about anything, there were so many different kinds of pants to choose from. I ended up checking out how the sales associates wearing denim jackets styled theirs and asking the staff for advice, and that’s how I finally settled on chinos.
— While the clothes you chose were basic, I thought the way you adapted them through sizing and styling was very typical of you, Ms. Matsunaga. Is there anything in particular about your styling that you like?
Matsunaga:You really put some thought into how you wore the shirt. I especially like how you left the front open to show the striped undershirt, and how you left the left hem out while tucking in just the right hem to show the belt.
— The pattern of the socks peeking out from under the ankle-length pants and loafers is another nice touch.
Matsunaga:At first, I was also thinking about getting socks like the ones Yua was wearing, but since the outfit I chose was pretty simple, I figured that even if the socks were a bit flashy, they’d serve as a focal point for the outfit and help balance it out. To make up for that, I decided to go with simple loafers.
— What do you think of the color combination of denim and red?
Matsunaga:First of all, I knew I definitely wanted to wear denim. I was torn between a red hat and a patterned one, but I decided on red because the combination of denim and red gave off a classic vibe that I thought was cute. However, to keep it from looking too retro, I paired it with a crisp white shirt underneath. This white shirt worked even better than I expected. Amidst all the colors and patterns, it brought the whole look together, and because it’s such a simple shirt, it really made the other pieces “pop.”
— Was there anything you found challenging about putting together an Americana-style outfit?
Matsunaga:Choosing accessories turned out to be surprisingly difficult. Since many American casual outfits have a strong, bold look, I was torn right up until the last minute—wondering whether I could get away with wearing flashy accessories or if the outfit would actually look better without them. But in the end, the turquoise ring matched the color of the denim perfectly.
— So, to wrap things up, if you were to give today’s outfit a score, what would it be?
Matsunaga:500 out of 500! (lol). Not only was the styling great, but I especially enjoyed the process of picking out the clothes. When I usually go shopping, I’m the type who quickly grabs whatever I’ve decided is “the one!” and gets out of the store as fast as possible. But today, taking my time to pick out clothes while getting advice was a refreshing change, and I feel like I discovered a new side of myself. Until now, I’ve always expressed myself through music, but today I think I’ve learned just how much fun it is to express myself through fashion.
