“Here, the clothes wear us. There, they wear the clothes.” Few human beings have as sharp an eye for sartorial details as Brooklyn’s very own Mordechai Rubinstein, who, under his nom de blog Mister Mort, has spent years photographing the eccentric side of New Yorkers’ everyday outfits. So when we heard he was heading to Tokyo and Osaka with the band Portugal, the Man, who were there to play the Summer Sonic Festival, we knew we needed to get the latest Mister Mort report. What’s hot in the streets of the most stylish cities in the most fashion-obsessed country on the planet?
During a few shopping missions, Mordechai met up with the highly advanced guys who work at Nanamica, Beams, and Wacko Maria—the stores that set Tokyo’s menswear agenda. But he also encountered plenty of regular citizens whose sartorial idiosyncrasies remind us why, when it comes to getting dressed, Americans are always looking east for inspiration. In the photos below, you’ll notice a few trends have taken over the country, like long denim, oversized T-shirts, and Mordechai’s favorite new accessory: the tiny towel. “Everyone in Japan, and I mean everyone, has a personal rag in their back pocket,” says Mordechai. “And they’ll tie these little towels around their neck or head for sweat—it’s so cool. They convince me it’s not a ‘look,’ but the towel is the hottest accessory in the fucking world right now.” Check out Mordechai’s photos below for your own late-summer style inspiration, and read, in Mordechai’s own words, about the finer details of each look that caught his eye.
“I don't know if it's a vintage Oasis tee or not, but it doesn't even matter. It's just so cool. My favorite tees hit the crack of the elbow. For most guys that's too big, but in Japan that bagginess is normal.”
“This guy was inside the Beams store and I asked him to come out. I love the pants, but here it's all about the tee. The tee is perfectly tucked. That's not a J. Crew half-tuck, that's natural.”
“This guy and his buddy were doing a photoshoot in the alley. The perfectly half two-tone velvet bib overall thing, with the vest on top? Come on.”
“The vintage Miller hat and OP tee! He probably works at a vintage store. This kid is so cool with the baggy shorts, the chain, the west coast socks with the Vans. But my favorite part is the bandana under the bucket. I love it.”
“And then look at bossman with the Tupac bandana. It’s all about the crease going down the white pants—it's barely, barely there.”
“I don't shoot girls often, but how good is that! The double shirts caught my eye. Japan also has the best haircuts in the world.”
“This is my guy. Look at that fit! It's schlumpy but perfect. The perfect fucking fit! He was shy, he had no idea how cool he was. Is there something weighing his pocket down, or is it just worn in? And I need to know what it says on the towel and if I can have it.”
“It was 100 degrees out and he was doing a pre-fall photo shoot. Such confidence in that pose.”
“I saw a lot of baggy denim like this. And that's a real cuff—he took those to a tailor. Another thing I saw a lot of is the 3/4 sleeve. Even on businessmen. It's so cool and not fussy.”
“This guy was a peacock with the confidence, thinks he's James Dean. So much attitude. But check out the the friendship bracelet!”
“This guy’s inseam is probably 4.5". It shits on our 5" inseams.“
“This dude has got the Johnny Depp thing going on in a big way.”
“This is Ian from Nanamica, the best tour guide that anyone could ask for. I love the bush pant with he pocket in the front, as well as the Clarks x Beams collab. And the tee: is that inside-out?”
“This is one of my favorite outfits, and I found this guy at Starbucks! I love this guy. With the blousy Dries van Noten-like shirt, pleats, and the amazing wide belt, it looks like he must work in fashion—but in Japan he just as well might not.”
“This is John Gourley from Portugal, the Man. I love that he wears Adidas slides around the city. That's a North Face Purple Label bag and vest, and Patagonia 5" Baggies. He said 7" were too long.”
“I love the color green, but this fit is all about the North Face track pants with the coolest sandals I've seen in my life.”
“This guy is a construction worker on the street in Tokyo in probably the coolest outfit I've seen in my life. The fit of the shirt, the athletic stripes, the logo placements on the shirt and pants, the fit of the pants with double pleats and cargo pocket—and don't get me started on the belt. Incredible.”
“I love these vests. They get better and better every time I see them. Now I want one.”
“Remember Johnny Depp? The next day he's in the red cowboy boots and super high waisted bootcut jeans! That's a fashion jean if I've ever seen one.”
“John bought this shirt, which is made by an American workwear company out of washable rayon. It's a vintage brand but it looks so modern. It's fun to buy stuff in Japan and wear it right away.”
“This woman was our translator on the trip. She's just so cool.”
“This security guard was backstage in Osaka at the festival. He was watching J Balvin's backup dancers at the time. The hat is slightly cocked, the pockets are loaded, the tie is tucked, the belts are white. I wish we had security guards like that here.”
“This is a real average festivalgoer in Japan with the towel that everybody wears. The towel is the hottest accessory in the fucking world right now.”
“Kimono with the faux Burberry towel, are you kidding me??”
“The way he ties both of these towels is just incredible. The way he wraps his head is the way every construction worker does it—it reminds me of Crown Heights on a hot summer night.”
“This guy works at Globe Specs. He's an optician. I can't stand the jean hack but these are so next level! The bootcut makes them. It re-woke my love for the hack.”
“What are these? They're incredible.”
“This kid is a fashion student visiting from Korea. His mother knitted or crocheted the matching hat and bag. Can you see his earring? It's a needlepoint earring. He's got two.”
“Talk about ripped denim! This kid is fucking amazing. The shirt is like tissue weight, and he's got some tie dye on underneath! Look at the length of the shirt: it's baggy but still fitted. And the length of the jeans is incredible—he's got moto boots on, but there's nothing tough about him.”
“Prada, or vintage? I mean, come on. It's illegal to smoke on the street in Japan, so to see someone do it is incredibly badass.”
“Helly Hansen and Patagonia. I love it. Till next time, Japan.”
The O.G.’s behind Awake NY, Union, and Noah are using dad caps, hoodies, and rugby shirts to cultivate a new generation of politically activated cool kids.
Every bank customer likely wonders: “How much money should I keep in my checking account?” And the answer might surprise you. Here’s how much you should really keep in a checking account.
A California high-end car dealership “congratulated” NBA legend LeBron James for all to see on Instagram about his "purchase." LeBron James begs to differ.
