Compelling quality and impeccable design are just a few of the traits with which the Japanese street style enriched the fashion industry. Even though the top Japanese clothing brands are working in the significant traces of Japanese minimalism into their collections, one of the traits that keep reappearing especially among Japanese streetwear brands is the fusion of colours, ornate and bright materials and bold use of patterns, bringing a new form of complexity into Japanese aesthetics.

No wonder, the latest trends and modern ideas come from the Land of the Rising Sun. Japanese culture is well known for its impeccable craftsmanship and traditional techniques which influences not only the art industry but, needless to say, the fashion industry from its core.

The best of Japanese fashion and Japanese designers you need to know

When it comes to street formal, no one does it better than Japanese clothing brands for men. The Japanese streetwear scene has rapidly evolved and among famous brands that entered high fashion, we love the little subtle fashion brands that maybe don't make a lot of notice, but their designs speak loud for themselves.

Especially among younger generations, Japanese fashion and Japanese designers are close to icons. We all know Japanese designer Rei Kawakubo, designing feminine silhouettes with a heavy Avant-Garde approach in what is probably one of the most famous Japanese clothing brands for women.

But Rei is not the only creative genius making clothes that shift perspective on modern style and have a heavy influence on high fashion. Other streetwear brands are making their way into the spotlight with their unique designs, premium fabrics, affordable prices and inimitable Japanese style.

And once the Japanese market is full, it's time to explore other worlds. Let us introduce you to 6 of the best Japanese clothing brands that you can now experience at HANSEN Garment stores!

1. 1. Kapital- the king of streetwear brands

Starting with a brand that could be used as a perfect representation of modern Japanese clothing, we are going to look at Kapital, a Japanese brand that found its purpose in playful design and over the years managed to build an almost religiously loyal group of merchants and customers. This iconic brand closely works with only 60 retailers around the globe, and HANSEN is one of them.

Kapital, founded in 1984 as a simple manufactory and originally focused solely on denim, elevated its brand in 2000 when it designed its collection.

Nowadays, expanding their product line as well as the style of their garments, the Hirata family is focusing on perfecting the clothes with traditional sashiko and boro stitching techniques and using natural dyes for their collections.

The vibrant colours and unique patterns can only be created by the most skilful craftsmen. And Kapital is the brand to go for if you want to enrich your outfits with beautiful pieces that combine old-school American style with a modern twist of Japanese craftsmanship, creating unique, yet familiar garments.

One of the most coveted products by Kapital is their stylish bandanas, which are the canvas for Kapiral designers to create breathtaking patterns. But Kapital can transform any piece of clothing into an eye-catching marvel. Just have a look at their Hibiscus Ortega Aloha Shirt or the Brush-Camo Alpine Ring Coat made from ripstop fabric that is resistant to ripping or tearing.

1. 2. Mountain Research - merging worlds

A bit edgier style you can experience with Mountain Research, a Japanese brand inspired by mountain outdoor clothing. Mountain Research is bringing an anarchy-inspired look into your casual outerwear.

The main designer of the brand, Kobayashi Setsunasa decided to narrow his focus on a particular type of clothing and transform the style into casual wear. This successful idea turned the brand into the exact opposite of stereotypical fashion. Their groundbreaking designs dominate Japanese outdoor fashion and rapidly expand all over the world.

We are proud to have the best of Mountain Research in our collection, including treasures like the Fisherman Trousers with multiple pockets, H. P. Padded Utility Vest or Patched Shorts made in traditional Japanese stitching method boro.

What makes the brand unique is that while designing the collections, Kobayashi never follows trends. He sources inspiration from his surroundings and action-packed outdoor activities, as well as from the culture of freedom of the 60s and 70s. All this is tied to exceptional designs that completely transform how we experience fashion.

1. 1. 3. Moonstar- footwear brand made in heaven

    

   MoonStar is a company with almost a 150 years old tradition of shoemaking, so to say that they are experts in the craft would be an understatement. Their speciality and signature trademark is the vulcanised sole. Thanks to this feature and their signature canvas shoes, MoonStar became a renowned brand among shoe lovers from all around the world.

    

   MoonStar shoes are produced using a special technique, ka-Ryu or vulcanising, in which the rubber material from which the soles are later on assembled, is burned in a kiln, returning the rubber properties of its raw form, such as elasticity, softness and flexibility.

    

   The ka-Ryu technique is very rare and only a handful of craftsmen in the world have mastered it. Not only due to this technique, but because of the premium fabrics they use, all MoonStar shoes are weather-resistant, combining functionality and simplistic design.

    

   Even though it is still hard to choose, among our favourites are the Gym Classic Canvas Vulcanised Sole Sneakers in navy representing the original MoonStar design, or a bit different variant of the classic design in the Mudguard Canvas Vulcanised Sole Sneakers.

1. 4. Danton- connecting worlds from East to West

Maybe an unexpected result, to see Danton among the top Japanese brands. Despite the long-running history as a French brand, founded as early as 1931, Danton has left behind its 20th-century philosophy and moved on to the new era under the auspices of Boy's Co., a Japanese agency looking after several huge clothing manufacturers.

Under the new leadership, Danton has evolved and taken on a new dimension. The quality and diversity of their clothing has been only pushed forward, as well as the creative designs that have been enriched by the traditional Japanese craft.

Danton's workwear represents all the qualities of Japanese manufacturing, the precision and detailing, the sense of originality and their capability of transforming simple ideas into creative designs, as a well-known trait of Japanese aesthetics.

HANSEN is proud to bring you unique pieces from Danton, such as Danton Down Proof Light Jacket in two different styles, with a rounded collar in a light tan colour or collarless in dark navy. Perfect for spring to summer or summer to autumn transition is Danton's Nylon Taffeta Light Coat in warm camel colour. You can also pick up accessories from the Danton SS20 collection, like the Danton Utility Bag made of 100% cotton in dark navy colour.

1. 5.Pallet Life Story- our favourite brand with the best workwear clothing line

This young Japanese brand has been founded in 2017 and is focused on workwear garments and their design and production both have several significant traces. Their clothing is known for a unique combination of patterns, colours and little detailing, as well as using traditional Japanese fabrics in production.

Behind the company are two incredibly creative minds, director Yoshinori Hasuoka and designer Takeshi Inoue. Their innovative designs and impeccable style are proof that clothing doesn't have to be excessively complicated to attract attention.

The Japanese modernism that influences their brand and which they recreate with every new collection is represented by simple but quality and traditional fabrics, a colour pallet that fits any style and taste, and layering of patterns and styles that transform classic garments into something exceptional.

HANSEN loves Pallet Life Story jackets, in particular, therefore you can now browse through our Pallet Life Story collection at the online store. Among the top picks is Multiple Patchwork Coat for the brave ones or a simple Pinter Jacket in the ecru shade.

1. 6. Paikaji- Japanese label on summer days

Despite the ongoing minimalism trend, traditional Japanese clothing is known for its floral patterns and bright colours. Paikaji is sticking to the traditional process of manufacturing clothes, especially when it comes to the dying technique and tailoring, and on top of that raising the bar a bit higher.

HANSEN is bringing you their vibrant summer shirts that you can check out in our Paikaji collection. Our all-time favourite Floral Short Sleeve Shirt in the combination of minimalistic white, subtle orange and navy blue is just some of the best Paikaji garments we collected for you.

And even though aloha shirts might be a speciality for Paikaji, the brand is so much more than that. They design floral tunics, stalls and expand into women's wear, also summer dresses. The signature pattern, however, makes Paikaji clothing so easily recognizable and compelling.