Two men from different generations with different personalities—each with his own dad.
Our destination was further across the Tama River: Marunouchi, Tokyo. It is the flagship store of *Papas*, a pioneer of Japanese men’s casual wear that remains as committed as ever to “Made in Japan.” Founded in 1986—slightly before Taro was born—〈Papas〉 is a long-established brand that rapidly gained popularity among fashion-conscious men for its traditional style. Yet, far from being merely nostalgic, it reinterprets authentic traditional style with a contemporary sensibility.
On that day, Hideo was the first to slip into that shirt. By the way, Hideo has been going through an unprecedented pattern craze of his own in recent years. As he puts it, “Whenever I have a spare moment, I go out looking for shirts with interesting patterns.”
Hideo, who had been casually glancing through the clothes on the rack, stopped when he saw a shirt. It was printed with the “Papas” logo and icons—and, sure enough, it was all-over print.
Meanwhile, Taro was wearing a denim coverall that still retained its deep indigo blue color. This is a meticulously crafted original fabric, woven by Japanese artisans using their proven techniques on vintage spinning machines known as “Ishikawadai.” It’s a choice that’s typical of him—a vintage clothing enthusiast who frequently incorporates secondhand pieces into his everyday style.
"It had been a while since I’d worn American casual-style coveralls, but the fit from *Papas* gave them a different balance than vintage pieces. They’re comfortable to wear, and I really love how they naturally wrap around you. Of course, vintage pieces have a certain charm that current items just don’t have—and I really love that feeling—but it wouldn’t be very interesting if that were the only thing. Ideally, I’d like to find a way to blend the feel of both new and vintage clothing in just the right balance.”
A traditional casual look featuring blue denim and hickory pants with a strong workwear vibe. Through careful sizing and the use of accessories, the look strikes a balance between relaxed and sophisticated.Denim Jacket ¥84,700, Shirt ¥44,000, Hickory Denim ¥47,300 (all from Papas)
"I like clothes that are easy to move in. This shirt has such a cute pattern," she said, choosing a hooded outerwear piece. She wore a hand-dyed bandana with an illustration printed on it around her neck.Shirt Jacket ¥47,300, T-shirt ¥27,500, bandana scarf ¥7,920 (all from Papas)
Recommended by PAPAS
This plush, soft sweatshirt—slowly knitted on a vintage fishing-style knitting machine—features a mock neck with a drawstring. Combined with the logo print that has a vintage, worn-in look, it exudes a relaxed, effortless vibe.¥39,600(Papas)
A classic style often referred to as a “World War II-era model.” However, it’s actually a stretch denim made with ultra-fine high-multi yarn in the weft for excellent recovery. Furthermore, the warp is made of slub yarn with varying thicknesses. With its brushed finish, this piece has a worn-in, relaxed look.¥59,400(Papas)
Work-style pants made from 11-ounce hickory fabric that isn’t too heavy. The indigo sections are rope-dyed, so you can enjoy the fading and aging process just like with denim. A relaxed fit that can be worn without a belt. ¥ 47,300 (Papas)
