Understanding Japanese Americana

The older I get the more interested I am in Japanese American! Why? Maybe it's because the genre has such a rich history of both garments built for workwear and for luxury. Today's video marks a new series in which we will uncover the truth behind Japanese Americana in hopes to understand why it has grown in prominence over the years.
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Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:38 Video Objectives
1:04 History of Japanese Americana
3:45 4 Pillars of Japanese Americana
4:33 Pillar 1
4:41 Pillar 2
4:50 Pillar 3
5:00 Pillar 4
5:23 What are your thoughts?
5:58 Pvv
Measurements:
Height: 6' 3"
Waist: 33"
Waist to Ankle (Outseam): 34"
Inseam: 32.5"
Sleeves: 27"
Shoe Size: US 11
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[@pankace3296]

Every time I watch one of your videos I'm actually floored by how professional, informative, and generally high quality they are. Actually one of the most underrated creators on the site

[@DrewJoiner]

👊🏾

[@srooklyn]

💯💯💯

[@troyalmendras4367]

@@DrewJoiner doin gods work frr 🙌

[@Indigololz]

At it’s core, Japanese Americana is an updated take on American clothes from a Japanese perspective. Many designers within this space are vintage and thrift fanatics, obsessed over American clothes from the 40s, 50s, and 60s. Brands like Ralph Lauren, Brooks Brothers, and Levi’s are held in the highest esteem and many modern Japanese Americana brands reference their designs. In a way, it’s a preservation of a bygone era of American culture when clothes were manufactured domestically with a sense of pride and pizazz. Brands focusing on Japanese Americana usually focus on 1.) Timeless Styles 2.) High Quality Construction 3.) Clothes that will age with grace. Some popular brands to check out are: Engineered Garments, Beams, OrSlow, Ts(s), Monitaly, and more. Thanks for covering this topic Drew. Hope you’re enjoying Amsterdam!

[@imnotsurewhy]

The crazy thing is, Japan made the Americana style so much better and higher quality.

[@jerrysein3341]

and hella mor expensive

[@devinthomas5671]

If anyone wants more information they should read Ametora: How Japan saved American style by W. David Marx. It goes into this in detail and even relates modern Japanese street wear brands as a natural evolution of Japanese Americana style.

[@CamMacCamMac]

Don’t be scared to make these videos longer! I was hooked and sad it ended so soon.

[@marcusmelone979]

I am stoked for this highly anticipated vid! Absolutely loving the content! 🙏

[@guillem23]

Really interesting. Would love you keep digging into this topic. Already looking for the denim one

[@mirnoshi]

I just watched your “5 styles” video and I was so intrigued by this style

[@baaauniverse]

This was surprisingly super well done! Even going into the isolationist history roots 👏👏 looking forward to the rest of this coverage

[@djbabydinosaurr]

+1 for the Japanese denim episode but also discuss maybe some entry level brands that are accessible to north americans (outside of uniqlo) #pvv

[@srooklyn]

Love this video Drew! A follow up video on Japanese denim would be amazing and appreciated.

[@jee2722]

Definitely go thru with the denim video, these history videos are real nice 👍

[@Andrew_Rivero]

This is one of the best fashion videos I have ever seen. Interesting, and so educational. What an incredible subject, Subscribed!!

[@josephsy]

bro your content is so well delivered!! Love it

[@tytylerclae]

Yeah, I need the denim vid bro. I love the short but informative video format, lfg

[@a.ffirmative]

when I think of japanese americana i immediately think of denim, kimono and junya wantanabe. Obviously denim is just a sub category of Japanese Americana, but i still think it's what makes japanese americana, japanese americana. Using Junya Wantanabe as an example, specifically his collaboration with Levi's. He uses levi's denim, the most american brand ever(imo) and puts japanese influences on it, like sashiko stitching and patches from japanese garments. It's this literal blend of culture, taking a piece of american garment, and put japanese clothings and technique onto it in the most literal sense. That's what japanese americana is to me

[@quicksilver3263]

This was a really great and informative video, keep up the excellent work Drew 👏

[@wigglytwizzler6929]

I’m so glad I found your channel! Great video, I look forward to more 💕💕

[@slicedmittens5296]

BAP always here for the post vid vid it feels so personal, hope you enjoy the netherlands!!

[@kieran7658]

Good video bruh, you structured this very well it was a good watch

[@charliebennett2975]

your videos are the reason i love fashion and clothing

[@Tony-qz5cf]

PVV bop bop Great topic hope u r having fun on your trip.

[@HP30]

Yea that denim video would be dope

[@SergioMenaGTS]

Man a video on japanese denim would be amazing 🌀

[@anag1822]

great video Drew! also your editing is just perfect, love your channel🤝

[@justinvaldez2050]

As always your content is so well put together. I am very green to fashion, I’ve always just stuck to my workwear. Please do make that video on Japanese denim. After some time on KZbin it is prevalent that Japanese denim has a special place. I know there has to be more to it other than it’s unique appearance, it would also be nice to know why it looks the way it does! Thank you again, hope all is well!

[@brotherwiththebeard]

Really enjoyed this

[@sickdirtbag]

Too short man!! More please ❤️🙏

[@miguelangelfernandezortiz4996]

Loved the video, i’m trying to estructure my closet leaning into this style. Can i ask where did you get that hat? It suits you great!

[@sergioguido6056]

lets goooooo!!!! commenting before the video starts because I requested last video and he delivered!

[@dmshampton]

yooooo, been waiting on this one. Would love to see you talk about specific garments which capture the ethos of Japanese Americana, like denim etc! Hope you're having a good one in Amsterdam atm! #pvv

[@Shing02tv]

would love to see more on this with how it relates to modern designers you wear

[@zero12348]

We need part 2 for an in-depth 4 pillars explanation and styling ideas

[@zero12348]

Been 8 years still doing japanese americana 💪💪💪💪, denim culture introduced me to this kinda stuff.

[@teresapedregozavlog73]

Always 💖have great ideas u have shown nicely buddy

[@gabrielmoron_]

Super interesting man! Love the video, so informative!! Where is your hat from?? Love it!

[@DrewJoiner]

Ebbets field flannel, Brooklyn Eagles hat

[@gabrielmoron_]

@@DrewJoiner awesome thanks man!

[@ACMendez]

Would love to know what footwear goes best with Japanese Americana. Love the channel man, can't wait for more of these!

[@DrewJoiner]

Great idea

[@russfisherman]

King !!! Edit: Def looking forward to a Japanese denim vid 🙏🏼

[@noahwatters2848]

Great idea of making this a series🤝 glad you had a safe flight #ppv

[@quinnetheridge9463]

Japanese Americana has been a massive influence to my personal style for a while now. Appreciate the love to the genre

[@sandyradilla10]

Ahhh!! Can’t wait for the next part of the series and to know more about this topic! Hope you’re having fun in Amsterdam!!! #pvv

[@DrewJoiner]

This sunday

[@shotgungumby]

Bro im so glad you popped up on my recommendations, you have the most natural and personal way of speaking about all things fashion and style. Your personality really shines bright in this bitch. I became a instant fan and subber I went and binged all your vids. dude i really like that you put on for European brands like ACW, woodwood etc. I know this is a long ass comments just to let you know you are the shit but it be like that sometimes. i hope you touch that 100K milestone soon my boy. Mayor love from Amsterdam ❤️

[@DrewJoiner]

❤️ one of the best comments I’ve ever read! I am incredibly glad you are enjoying the videos

[@kingofpancakes1278]

first things first, #PVV FTW. also seeing that japanese influence on denim video would be dope. also when are the life talk podcasts coming back? i like the guests on the podcast but the life talks were hot

[@evanmagness7346]

Please make the denim video! I love your vids and always want more content

[@OneOneThree-wl7ml]

I would love to hear about the difference between American fashion and americana!

[@shiloh002]

brooo I love this

[@DrewJoiner]

Thank you man🤝

[@JP-wn4jn]

I want the denim history video

[@samgraf5998]

Hey, if anyone here hasn’t read Ametora I would highly recommend it, it gives a detailed account of the history of Japanese Americana and brands which lead this style.

[@ready2start]

Great video dude, definitely subscribed for more. Another important part of the history is during WWII when American soldiers ended up selling their denim (high quality workwear) when they were stationed in Japan. Then in the decades that followed, denim became a mass-produced fashion item in the US. But many Japanese people still admired the quality of the original selvedge construction. That's what caused the relocation of the production of the highest quality denim from the US to Japan.

[@DrewJoiner]

Very cool, I actually had no idea about this

[@facemywroth3879]

ooo yes do one on the history of japanese denim

[@obipriest]

There was one in the post vid 👊🏿

[@chrispatton2027]

This is dope

[@Ransompie1]

How denim relates to Japanese Americana video would be great to see! Have a safe trip man✨😁

[@danieldavid7482]

I like the video featured from kamakura shirts

[@soundslikeknee]

Drew time in Amsterdam is going to be like an episode out of Atlanta

[@DrewJoiner]

!!

[@finn4240]

omg no way please do some kind of meetup im in the netherlands too

[@adriancrisostomo3650]

Yes DREWWWW

[@albertosanchez6176]

I was definetly waiting for this video to learn more about this style. Wish you the best in Amsterdam Drew #pvv

[@setyawaas2755]

PVV gang as always 🤜🏽🤜🏽

[@Whodnl]

Sunday’s are meant for Drew Gotta say it

[@complimentedb4575]

👖 vid would be dope!

[@tbec50]

#pvvgang, I definitely wanna get some more of these japanese Americana videos especially when it comes to the work wear and deniem it's definitely my favorite style rn and ima really trying to slowly start turning my wardrobe to this stlye

[@Flash-mx4km]

Drew always know 🤗😉

[@cherished.__]

Amsterdam vlog soon? 🤔

[@DrewJoiner]

Sunday 🤝

[@justinprovencher529]

you could list Ametora as a reference for this video...

[@kantatakahashi7738]

This video is quite interesting as Japanese how you analyze Japanese American style.

[@DiegoGarcia-cb9gg]

#pvv love this type of video hope to see more. Hope you're enjoying Amsterdam!!

[@jerry-zz8xo]

What's the jacket on the thumbnail if you don't mind me asking?

[@dottie3755]

drew is better at teaching than my history professor

[@dan-nq6jw]

that hat look crazy

[@beepbeep5875]

i kept hearing a metal clinking sound throughout the video i dont what it was tho

[@Ramsaaaa]

Japanese Americana has been one of my favorite styles since I came across it in my early 20s. The Japanese focus on attention to detail, quality>quantity (evident in their engineering culture) is the perfect pairing to Americana. American clothing manufacturing moved overseas and materials/construction has been lacking ever since. Japanese brands have filled that void, from my perspective at least. Yeah, we've got Carhartt WIP, but in my experience they still don't hold a candle to those old Japanese looms. My favorite fashion niche, by far. Built to last. Heavy fabrics. Timeless aesthetic.

[@korrit4790]

Where is your hat from

[@taylorredfern3036]

Can't wait for the netherlands vlogs!! #pvv

[@DrewJoiner]

Coming sooooooon

[@haydev3060]

there is an amazing book written about this topic named Ametora by David Marx

[@starboydanii450]

I feel a video about Japanese Denim would be very interesting, also its very cool that youre in Amsterdam!!! I hope youre having fun in my country :) #pvv

[@facemywroth3879]

here before 100k >:)

[@vashtipritchett7253]

I would also say an appreciation for quality and construction is essential. The Japanese bring their own sensibility/standards of quality to garments and manufacturing, which often have been lost in a lot (but not all) of current American brands or manufacturing process. I think some of the popularity of looking to Japan for inspiration from Americans is that Japan has preserved a lot of classic methods and processes in manufacturing, construction, etc. that we have lost, but now people want to bring them back.

[@habl00pep]

Future Drew will have taken too many brownies in Amsterdam and be freaked out shout out

[@Kim-rw2vl]

there's also bike riders as well

[@ballostyle]

Man did you realize that those pillars are the same of 90's streetwear? Workwear, military, preppy, Sportswear...

[@brandohardy7914]

Let's see the denim vid, careful overseas

[@calebxd2241]

I want my teacher to play this video in history class.

[@kavencci]

Noti gang

[@matthewsalamante5395]

My guy please dig deeper! Enjoyed it tho✌🏽

[@gutsache7857]

Haven't watched the video yet but this is the guy who thought Amerikaji = Kapital and Visvim a few months ago. Based on the thumbnail doesn't appear to have changed? Edit: Completely missed occupation of Japan, Souvenir Jackets or formative brands.

[@invas_ian]

Denim video FTW!

[@Rawrenzify]

Please talkabout Japanese denim

[@modalsahil9999]

What are some noteworthy Japanese Americana brands?

[@xenofyl1]

Bro really said the whole New Balance brand was now replaced by the Adidas Samba😂. But what really takes the cake was him calling the Gorpcore trend dead when 100% of fashion critics agree on the fact that it no longer is a trend and that it has merged into the fashion landscape. Teenagers no longer showering in a specific Arc jacket does not mean the end of a bigger movement and people will always need to protect themselves from rain and wind anyway. The next video on dead trends will probably include Levi’s 501 jeans and underwear 🤦🏽‍♂️.

[@nickbeach2679]

Make a Japanese denim video too! #pvv

[@tomkenna2867]

sweet as hell

[@ma-ri-ko]

so, the history of western influence in japan has frequently been contested depending on who you're talking to. it is hard to separate fashion and politics. for instance, the meiji era secretary of education was well-known for preferring western dress and ended up being assassinated for defiling an ancient shintō sanctuary by touching sacred objects with butt of his cane. many people came to associate western dress and christianity with imperialists. high class women tried wearing corsetry and it didn't really stick. then in the late 1910's and throughout the 20's, the cut and drape of western fashion took a lot of influence from han chinese fashions and kimono anyway, so there was a lot more adoption of western dress in the taisho and showa eras. school uniforms in japan still have various european influences including england and prussia. then the imperial army began to cannibalize textile manufacturing equipment for the metal and mills were lost to the US firebombing campaigns. americans used occupied japan as a manufacturing hub following the emperor's surrender and the japanese people kind of just wore what they had to hand. my grandfather was badly injured in one of the firebombings of kobe and immigrated to the US because he legitimately thought japan would never be able to rebuild. 1/5th of the population was homeless after the extensive bombing campaigns and people were dependent on bartering with american GIs and trading on the black market for basic necessities like clothing. i personally don't think its a coincidence that the US military chose not to invest in textile manufacturing after the war when japan was outcompeting american textiles on the global market prior to the US's entry into ww2. western people have set the standards for professional dress around the globe for the last century or so, so people working for western companies, whether blue collar or white collar, would have had their jobs impacted by american standards. additionally, communism began to spread among the working class people during the occupation and that almost had its own uniform of blue jeans and workboots. for me, this history matters a lot when looking at how and why western dress entered any occupied or colonized society.

[@samikhan-js5lj]

So interesting, thanks

[@teresapedregozavlog73]

Loves ly fashion I'm watching kingdom Saudi 🇸🇦

[@xeroxvsxerxes]

it's 19th and 20th centuries, 18th wd be 1700's, not 1800's

[@computerscientologist]

ID on the hat?

[@DrewJoiner]

ebbets field flannel brooklyn eagles hat

[@computerscientologist]

@@DrewJoiner thank you king!

[@MRIMan]

#pvv another 🔥 video

[@DavidQuach]

drew you gotta take off the ice.

[@andii.d]

so basically… Zara Man?

[@arthurtarchala9656]

#pvv you knooooow

[@JustineTalania]

I clicked immediately lol

[@kdiffin903]

LOL same needed thhis

[@FTWAznPride]

Dude you look like Han hyun min

[@DrewJoiner]

Haha I’ve never heard that before