[Series 【: What Exactly Is “NEW VINTAGE”?] Vol. 136: Daydreaming About Landscapes Yet to Be Seen. Get in the Travel Mood with Local-Themed T-Shirts.

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.

This is the final episode of Season 17! The 136th episode features a return visit to “WED STORE” in Shimokitazawa. What kind of new vintage finds will the owner, Mr. Hara, introduce to us!?

Text_Tommy
Edit_Yosuke Ishii

Yuta Hara / WED STORE Owner
Vol. 136_Local-Themed T-Shirts

—So, the theme last time was “Fish T-shirts.” And I hear the item for the second round is also a T-shirt—but what’s the theme this time?

This time, we’re looking at “local T-shirts.” These are basically souvenirs from specific areas and spots—such as tourist destinations, famous landmarks, theme parks, and shops. If you actually visit a place like Yosemite National Park in California, USA, you’ll find shops—just like in Japan—that double as souvenir stores, selling T-shirts featuring designs of the area’s natural landscapes. You know how they sell T-shirts with Mount Fuji printed on them in Japan, right? It’s exactly that kind of vibe (laughs).

—I just can't help wanting to buy a souvenir.

That’s true everywhere in the world (lol). So, the first item is this Yosemite National Park T-shirt. As you can see, you can find some pretty nice designs here and there. This time, I’d like to suggest a way to enjoy these items by taking the opposite approach from what’s usual.

Yosemite National Park T-shirt ¥ 6,600 (Wed Store)

—What do you mean by “enjoying it in a way that’s the opposite of the usual approach”?

Normally, local T-shirts are something you buy as a souvenir when you visit a place, as a memento of your trip. But I’ve turned that on its head: I find them at thrift stores, and then let my mind wander to the areas and spots depicted on them. Now that my kids are getting older, my family and I look at these T-shirts together and say things like, “The design is really cool—it must be a great place. I’d love to visit someday.” It’s actually quite fun.

—Is it like daydreaming about a trip while flipping through a travel guidebook? That’s quite a unique perspective.

Next up is another location in the U.S.: St. Louis, Missouri. The painting depicts the Mississippi River and the 192-meter-tall monument in Gateway Arch National Park on its banks. Both the composition and the color palette are fantastic!

St. Louis T-shirt ¥6,600 (Wed Store)

—The body has a nice look to it, too. It’s been a while, but I’m starting to get interested in that gray marbled finish again.

The manufacturer is *Fruit of the Room*“s ”BEST Body” line, and judging by the tag and specifications, it dates back to the 1990s. As with the “fish T-shirt” I introduced last time, my selection criteria include the restriction of “looking for single-stitch items.” Also, the silhouettes from that era are actually quite modern and easy to wear, and these kinds of stylish designs are often reasonably priced. So, here’s the next one.

Vancouver Aquarium T-shirt ¥6,600 (Wed Store)

—That sea otter is so cute. Where is this souvenir from, and what is it?

This is the Vancouver Aquarium in Canada. It is one of Canada’s largest aquariums and is easily accessible, located about a 10-minute drive from downtown. Visitors can reportedly see marine mammals such as seals, sea otters, and sea lions up close. According to Wikipedia, the Vancouver Aquarium has a close relationship with Japan’s Enoshima Aquarium, and in 1985, it transferred a sea otter from the Vancouver Aquarium to the Enoshima Aquarium.

—So that’s why it’s a sea otter. Makes sense.

Don’t you think the realistic, black-and-white illustration and the “STAY COOL” message are perfect for this summer, when we’re expecting a heat wave? Plus, the fact that it’s from is another great touch. My daughter really loves it too—she says, “It’s so cute!”

—This is an aquarium, but you’ll also find zoos, museums, and art galleries at the vintage clothing market.

You see these pop up every now and then. Some famous examples include the San Francisco Zoo in California and the American Museum of Natural History in New York; as for art museums, there’s the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Since most of them feature pop-style designs, pieces printed in black and white like this are pretty rare. They’re literally cool and stylish (lol).

—So, where’s this souvenir from?

British Virgin Islands T-shirt ¥6,600 (Wed Store)

“As the name ”British Virgin Islands” suggests, the British Virgin Islands consist of more than 60 islands and reefs. It’s an island nation located right next to Puerto Rico. I don’t know what it was like back then, but these days it’s said to be a true paradise on earth, where unspoiled nature blends with sophisticated resorts.

—Hearing something like that makes me want to go check it out.

It has a nicely lightweight fabric, a colorful body, and a groovy vibe and color scheme. It has such a cheerful feel—it really gives off that resort vibe, doesn’t it? This one’s also from around the ’80s. However, since it doesn’t have a round body, it’s possible it wasn’t made in the U.S. I can’t say for sure, though, since the tag is missing.

—For most people, the chance to actually visit the Virgin Islands comes once in a lifetime—if at all. So my mind wanders far away to the Caribbean. It really does make me feel happy.

Island getaways really are something special, aren’t they? They’re perfect for a laid-back vacation where you can just relax without doing any sightseeing. And the fifth destination on the list is Aruba. It’s a Dutch island in the Caribbean, located off the coast of Venezuela in South America, and is said to be a popular resort destination known for its beautiful white-sand beaches and warm, stable climate year-round.

Alba T-shirt ¥6,600 (Wed Store)

—There are a lot of resort destinations here. Maybe because they’re from the ’80s and ’90s, they all look like they’re thriving. The graphics are lovely, too—they make me want to wear them this summer.

By the way, this T-shirt is a Hanes “BEEFY-T.” In terms of the era, it’s probably from the late ’80s to the ’90s—or maybe even the very early ’90s. The print on this one is really interesting; it uses foam printing to recreate the brushstrokes of an oil painting.

—By the way, in terms of encounter rates, which areas have the highest ones?

I deliberately avoided them this time, but places like Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona and Niagara Falls in Canada come up a lot. Hawaii and Guam also come up quite often. However, this is largely because I visit the West Coast of the U.S. for sourcing. If a store were visiting the East Coast, places like the Statue of Liberty in New York would probably come up.

—I see. It gives you a reason to visit all kinds of shops, and I’m starting to get the feeling that “local T-shirts” are all the rage this summer!

The key is to choose a slightly larger size. Also, since I’ve decided to “look for single-stitch items” because there’s no end to it if I set too many restrictions, I just “buy and wear whatever feels right” whenever I see something I like. I think that’s perfectly fine. Be sure to enjoy those serendipitous discoveries—like when you look it up later and realize, “Actually…”

Yuta Hara / WED STORE Owner
He is the owner of “WED STORE,” a shop in Shimokitazawa that feels like a secret hideout. Although it’s primarily a vintage clothing store, it also releases its own original clothing lines, *Yuan* and *Connett*, on an irregular basis alongside its vintage merchandise, and has garnered a large following of enthusiastic fans. He is also well-known for his passion for fishing, which he incorporates into his own creative work.
Instagram:@wed_store