So, What is NEW VINTAGE? Vol.25 "Just throw it on over your regular clothes" That's all there is to it, L.L. Bean.

What is the New Vintage anyway?

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.

Starting with this issue, four stores have been replaced and restarted. The 25th entry in this Series features Takashi Aoki of SIESTA, who appears for the second time in this series.

Text_Tommy
Edit_Yosuke Ishii

Takashi Aoki / Owner of SIESTA
Vol.25_L.L.Bean's GORE-TEX coat

-Thank you very much for coming to our booth again!　Now, what new vintage items would you like to introduce to us this time, Mr. Aoki?

Aoki:Previous (Vol. 7)Following on from the "L.L. BEAN" item, this time we have another from "L.L. BEAN" (laughs). The name of this item is "Storeway Coat"? There was a mountain parka using GORE-TEX called the "Stowaway Jacket" that was similar to this at the time, but in a word, it is a "longer version of that.

GORE-TEX coat by Elle Bean ¥19,800(Siesta)

I found out that it is still in the lineup under the name "Stowaway Rainwear with Gore-Tex, Jacket".

Aoki: Yes. However, the design has changed quite a bit in the current version. The current version has a hood around the neck, a front pocket with a flap, and Velcro sleeves. The mesh lining provided good breathability, and the raglan sleeves made it easy to move around in. This is the one that inherits such royal details "as it is".

-It is indeed a very traditional design, and it is a relief to see it again after such a long time. Is the use of GORE-TEX the main point?

Aoki: Of course, but above all, the use of colors is great! This teal color (the greenish one) is especially good. It is usually used for women's colors, but this one is a men's model. The other one...what is it? I think it's gold (the khaki-colored one). The latter is a bit older than the former, but the difference is whether it has GORE-TEX embroidery or not. Also, if you look at the tag, you can see that the more recent model is labeled "Outdoors".

-Is there any difference between outdoors and indoors?

Aoki: Nothing in particular (laughs). Bean itself, to be honest, is mostly outdoorsy, even when you look at the entire lineup! And I'm not talking about the outdoor. Also, just to let you know, it is packable. The main body can be folded up small and stored in the inside pocket. Well, carrying a coat with you is not an easy thing to do, but you can do that too! It's very American to give the impression that you can do such a thing. In terms of situations, it's not so much for serious outdoor activities as it is for camping or hiking, and if it suddenly starts raining, you can keep your bottoms dry. I guess that's the idea.

-Speaking of this type of coat, Patagonia's "Fog Bank Trench Coat" has been popular at Siesta in the past, hasn't it?

Aoki: Both of them have a front placket, so they both have a clean look and are very good, but this one can be used more casually because it does not look as stiff as the "Fog Bank Trench Coat. The sleeves are not too thin, so it's easy to match even a voluminous inner layer, and it covers the thighs, so it's useful when riding a bicycle.

-I think it's hard to find a coat type of outdoor brand, though....

Aoki：The base model "Stowaway Jacket" itself was cheaper than other competing brands' Gore-Tex jackets at the time, and it has been sold for a long time as a standard model in the lineup, so it is an item that can be found here and there in every era. However, it is true that this jacket is not as easy to find as one might think.... Conversely, "hard to find = no demand and no sales at the time. L.L. Bean has so many of these items that it is truly a star... (wry smile), and that is also a "typical" point.

-So, if you were lucky enough to get one, how would you recommend wearing it?

Aoki: Well, I think it's fine to just go with the usual. You could wear your usual "Dickies" work pants with the bottoms. To begin with, you don't see many people wearing mountain parkas nowadays. That's why it's fresh, and I think it's kind of cool, don't you?　So I think it's just right to "throw it on over your regular outfit" without thinking too much about how to dress it up or down.

Takashi Aoki / Owner, SIESTA
After working at I&I, a popular vintage clothing store in the Jinnan area of Shibuya, he opened SIESTA, a store selling imported and vintage clothing and bicycle parts, on Tonchan-dori in Harajuku. With a selection that evokes the culture of the U.S. West Coast, the shop has gained a wide range of fans, from skaters, cyclists, and city boys to people in the industry. Last year, the shop celebrated its 10th anniversary, and in September of this year, its 11th year, it relocated to Sakurashinmachi, Setagaya-ku, and reopened!
Official website:store.siesta81.com
Instagram:@siestastore