YouTube influencer Reggie Casual shares his insight on Japanese streetwear and thrift.

Modern Japanese street fashion has a flair for playfully blending subculture trends with avant-garde styles, shaping it to become one of the most influential fashion hubs of the world. Passionate about Japanese streetwear, influencer Reggie Casual, created ‘The Casual Co,’ a YouTube channel based in Tokyo Japan, dedicated to covering Japanese fashion and culture. Casual’s insight into Japanese street style and thrift will have you booking your shopping trip to Tokyo today.

Jonathan Mckinnon: Describe your street style aesthetic.

Reggie Casual: I would say Japanese Americana with Neo Grunge and Tech Leisure are the styles I dabble in. I mix in some other stuff I'm inspired by, but to be honest everything is a work in progress for me. I try to add in inspiration from stuff I admire, but my goal is to really flesh out the ideas I currently have in my wardrobe.

Reggie Casual

Reggie Casual

Reggie Casual

What differentiates Japanese thrift stores from other countries?

More often thrift stores in Japan invoke a theme. Typically they try to cater to a specific style. Whether it's grunge, hip-hop, Americana, sport, 90's, 80's, Normcore, whatever! There's something for every style. It definitely caters to the specific shopper. It’s also easier to find the hidden gems if you focus your efforts.

What are the popular trends and pieces people look for in Japanese thrift stores?

There are so many styles in Japan that it is nearly impossible to answer that question. Denim is always a big thing, patterned Hawaiian shirts get play in the summer, military jackets are always in, and of course accessories are always being sought after.

Reggie Casual/Jerry Lorenzo (Fear of God)

Reggie takes you on a personal trip to one of his frequented thrift stores in Harajuku, explaining how this behemoth of a store is part of an even larger community in street fashion in Japan.

Can you recommend thrift stores in Japan that sell streetwear?

The best thrift and second-hand stores for streetwear would probably be Kindal, Jumble Store, Ragtag, 2nd Street, and Brand Collect. Those always tend to have some gems if you're willing to be patient with your search.

How do you get the most out of a thrift store visit?

1. I first look at the mannequins when available. May seem crazy, but a lot of the people who work at thrift stores are actual fashion students who put these outfits together. The mannequins give you an idea of the styles the shop caters to. That is of course if they have them.

2. Don't rush! If there is one thing about the Japanese is that they’re very patient. They look for the PERFECT piece. Not the piece that almost gets there. You would do well to employ some ‘Japaneseness’ to your shopping in Japan.

3. Go towards your style. As I said before Japan has thrift stores that cater to different styles. Go to one that fits your own and you'll be inspired by the Japanese spin on it.

Aside from thrift stores, what are your go to streetwear stores in Japan?

I would say Style and Play Great Yard and Domicile Tokyo are both pretty good although I don't frequent them. A few of my favorites are United Arrows and Sons, Garden, Okura, Hollywood Ranch Market, Nike Lab MA5, Isetan Shinjuku, Hankyu Men’s Tokyo, GR8, Nubian Harajuku, and more. There's way too many great streetwear stores to be honest.

Reggie takes us on a visual journey to Japan's newest (and most difficult to enter) streetwear shop in Tokyo, Japan.

Reggie Casual

Do you frequent any online thrift stores?

I do online thrift at times, but its not the core of my shopping. Most of the times when I thrift, I'm doing so because I want to up-cycle a piece and create something original with some pre-worn wear and tear. I typically visit online stores like ZOZOTOWN to find thousands of great designer pieces that I can buy without killing my wallet. I once bought a pair of $300 designer jeans on the site for $40! It was a few seasons old, but they still looked incredible.

Detail your best thrift store pick-ups, and how you styled them.

I love denim and neo-grunge styles, so I've picked up a few old shirts from Undercover to Hysteric Glamour to go along with some denim jeans I remade.

Reggie Casual

Reggie Casual/Shinsuke Takizawa (Neighborhood)

Reggie Casual

---

Since you’re here…

…we have a small favor to ask. Men Of Thrift's independent, fashion journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. But we do it because we believe our perspective matters – because it might well be your perspective, too.

If everyone who reads our reporting, who likes it, helps fund it, our future would be much more secure. For as little as $1, you can support Men Of Thrift – and it only takes a minute. Thank you.

---