THE AMERICAN CASUAL 2022 Vol.2
An introduction to American casual by 2021. The relationship between American casual 5-pocket jeans and shoes.

Japan was one of the first countries to realize the value and appeal of vintage jeans, and by thoroughly exploring the genre, it established it. It is no exaggeration to say that the pursuit and systematization of the transition of color fading and detailing from one decade to the next helped the world understand the appeal of vintage jeans, and eventually even changed the entire denim industry. . It has been about 30 years since the furious vintage jeans boom of the 1990s, and naturally, the number of vintage jeans has been decreasing and the market has been drying up. For example, a pair of 501XX made in the 1950s can be priced at several hundred thousand yen, or even several million yen for a dead stock pair, depending on the condition. If you wear American casual wear, you will eventually want to own one, and since the price is only going up, you will want to do so as soon as possible.

Vintage XXs up to around the 50's and World War II models are the most coveted of all, but a pair with a deep indigo color is quite expensive, and frankly speaking, you need courage to wear them. However, if you can find a pair of vintage 66s or Big E's that are well faded or repaired, you may be able to find a pair that you can wear casually. The darker the indigo color is, the more valuable it is as a vintage item, but the charm of vintage is that you can feel the story from the faded color and damage. If you want to enjoy them as a fashion item, I would recommend a pair with a strong faded color.

Vintage denim is a dream of American casual, so you want to match it with a casual pair of jeans without being overbearing. Vintage denim with its aura of texture and appearance, especially when the color fading is strong, is a powerful pair of jeans on its own. It would be nice to wear them with a pair of engineers or work boots, but because they are good quality jeans, it would be more stylish to wear them with a sense of plainness. For example, clog sandals, which look like leather shoes but have the ease of sandals, will create a nice contrast with vintage jeans.

It is fate that determines whether or not you will be able to find vintage denim in the right size for your physique, and the key to winning your fate is how often you can visit thrift stores. The dotted pattern on the hems of Union Special chain-stitched denim can be used to create an unpretentious, casual look when worn with socks just long enough to show a bit of sock. The light faded indigo of the jeans and the sand beige suede color combination is also refreshing and adds lightness to the coordinate.

Also, the charm of clog sandals is that they have a cute, rounded toe and are not overly formal. Each type has its own charm, from suede with a soft texture that matches the rounded shape, to smooth leather with the calmness of leather shoes, to synthetic materials that contrast with the texture of vintage denim. . If you can find a pair of denim that won't hem you in the heel, you're all set. Then you can choose your favorite clog sandals.