What is NEW VINTAGE? Vol.132 “Old clothes that can be used as a snack” is good, but if you want to catch a fish in a gap, this is the kind of fish T-shirt you should try.

In the 1990s, the term "vintage" was used to describe vintage clothing that did not meet the definition of "antique," but still had value, as opposed to "antique" clothing that was 100 years old. Nowadays, there is a movement to find new value in "new vintage," even in old clothes from the 1980s onward, which used to be called "regular" vintage clothes. In this project, four vintage clothing stores with different styles propose new ways to enjoy vintage clothing. Each of them will talk about the charm of vintage clothing with their own sense of style.

Before we know it, this series will be in its 17th season! All the stores have been replaced, and the 132nd installment will appear at Shimokitazawa's "WED STORE" for the first time since Season 4. What kind of new vintage items will the owner, Mr. Hara, introduce to us?

Text_Tommy
Edit_Yosuke Ishii

Yuta Hara / WED STORE Owner
Vol.132_Fish motif T-shirts

-When we asked you before, "What is the New Vintage for you? is your answer still the same?

Yes, I do! I still see new vintage as “discovering new things based on my own criteria of value,” and the act of searching for the missing item itself is enjoyable.

It's been a while since I've seen you here, but I understand that you don't deal in secondhand clothing much these days.

I guess so. I have been dealing with vintage goods in my store, but it's been a while since I've bought clothes. However, I have been going abroad, so I have prepared some things that I bought for my personal enjoyment. I am planning to have a pop-up sale in the near future, so I hope to introduce you to some of them.

I'm curious to know what kind of items they are.

I like fishing, and I am the owner of the Yuan and Connett brands, both of which are based on the concept of fishing, and I also simply like fish designs.

Do you like fishing so much that you want to wear a fish?

Of course, I like fish (laughs), but as a vintage clothing lover, I am familiar with the motif because I see it quite often.

It is true that we often see fish motifs. There are various types, from humorous jokes to realistic fishing motifs.

New York Sportfishing Federation T-shirt ¥6,600(Wedstore)

First of all, here it is. It is a stylish design. The words NEW YORK SPORTFISHING FEDERATION are placed in a circle on the front, and two realistic fish are drawn in the center. It is simply a nice design. Some may think, "Fishing in New York?" But there are oceans around, and if you drive to the suburbs, you can find nature such as mountains and rivers.

Is this a fishing group thing?

I looked it up, and it seems to be a non-profit organization that supports the ocean fishing community in New York State, USA. Incidentally, the body is made by "SCREEN STARS. Navy seems to be the basic color, and this white may be a rare pattern.

The body also seems to be very particular.

There are so many kinds of T-shirt bodies. If I accept all of them, I would miss out on the fun of finding the right one, so I try to find one with a single stitch.

And here is the second one. CABO MEXICO is a design on a moody, extremely colorful fish, and CABO means Los Cabos, one of the most luxurious resorts in Mexico, surrounded by the Gulf of California and the desert. So it is quite a local piece. The body is thick with "SM" on the back tag. Probably late 90s. The coloring of the fish and seaweed is very happy, as if it were in Okinawa or the southern sea. I really like this one.

Cabo Mexican Fish T-shirt ¥6,600(Wedstore)

That's exactly what I mean by “good looks”. What's next?

The back tag has "BEACH CLUB" on it, so it must be the name of the brand or the name of the manufacturer of the body. The material is heavyweight cotton 100%. Probably a souvenir of an aquarium in the town of Mystic, Cochicaneet, USA. The main feature is again a very colorful fish, but if you look closely, you can see a scallop-like shell in the center printed in the same color as the body, which is a really elaborate design.

Beach Club Fish T-shirt ¥6,600(Wedstore)

The cracked and grazed feel is also a good atmosphere.

From the point of view of someone who makes clothes himself, it is amazing that so many colors are used in silkscreen printing. It would be different if they printed a tremendous number of copies, but it would be quite expensive to make them now. Moreover, it looks like a water-based print, doesn't it?　Nowadays, they would certainly be made using inkjet printing, so in that sense, it is a meaningful item to look for in secondhand clothing.

Next up...sharks. I mean, is a shark a fish?

Dolphin Shirt Company Shark T-Shirt ¥6,600(Wedstore)

Well, that's fine, isn't it (laughs). There are many things to be picky about... First of all, the body. The back tag reads "DOLPHIN SHIRT CAMPANY," but the print is of sharks. Moreover, the print is elaborate, with different types of sharks, such as great white sharks and hammerhead sharks. The fact that the water is not depicted on the prints accentuates the eeriness and strangeness of the sharks.

The design is unusual and looks like a fighter plane, which is cool.

Sharks in this type of design don't come up very often, so it's pretty rare in my opinion. It is probably harder to find than a famous band T-shirt, which is extremely rare.

It seems that the number of people looking for a place to live is also small.

That's all right, isn't it? You can decide the standard of value within yourself, and it doesn't necessarily mean that something is good because everyone knows about it or because everyone wants it. And finally, the BEST BODY by "FRUIT OF THE ROOM". A black bass is depicted with a touch of humor.

The design is pretty straightforward and looks like a fishing enthusiast!

Fruit of the Loom Black Bass T-Shirt ¥6,600(Wedstore)

You can find various types of this comical touch series. For example, there is a fisherman hanging a line from the top of a boat, with a bass peeking out from underneath. It is unique and interesting for vintage clothing. I myself am a black bass fisherman, so I was a bit shy and avoided the straightforward designs ......, but after seeing them for the first time in a while, I thought they might be worth a look for nostalgia's sake.

It's true that the older generation is often defensive about wearing sports, music, and culture-related items, saying, "You have to be prepared to wear them.

Better to use a more realistic touch than comical and fewer colors. It is easier to accept a T-shirt as just a T-shirt with a good gloss. Sizing is also important. Recently, the mainstream is to go with a size that is just right, but that gives a sense of seriousness, so I recommend XL or larger than usual. Also, sharks are OK, but not swordfish or anything like that.... Dolphins may be difficult because of the image of Christian Lassen, but whales are a big possibility!　Salmon is also delicious and is also a possibility (laughs).

By imposing such a binding on yourself, you can clarify your aim and make it easier to collect.

Yes. Single stitching does not mean that the price is not rising. You don't have to be a fisherman or a fisherwoman to look for them, and you can easily find them. You don't have to participate in the money game of the vintage world, so I recommend it to those who are tired of dealing with such old clothes. It's very easy and fun!

Yuta Hara / WED STORE Owner
He is the owner of "WED STORE," a secret base-like store in Shimokitazawa that sells vintage clothing and also releases original clothing "Yuan" and "Connett" on an irregular basis, gaining a large number of enthusiastic fans. He is also famous for his love of fishing, which is reflected in his own manufacturing.
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