Remi Relief Denim Jacket

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—01. 12.5oz Woven Denim.
—02. Natural Indigo.

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Hand crafted using an old shuttle loom, this denim is washed but not too faded. Designer Yutaka Goto pays close attention to single stitched sewing techniques and specific dye recipes. It is a more modern fit than the classic jean jacket but the colour and weight are both really nice. I find a jacket like this an easy layering piece during the cooler months.

—Available at Beams Plus

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Coming Soon: INVENTORY 02 Spring–Summer 2010

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—01. Both covers will be available next week.

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It’s been a very compact and exciting spring so far this year as we have new developments in all aspects of Inventory, but our main focus has been the production of our second issue of the magazine. Finally our Spring–Summer 2010 issue is going to the printers and we are excited to present the two covers for the upcoming offering. We feel the new issue not only met the standard of our initial launch but perhaps exceeded it with a more diverse range of content, some great new contributors and an additional 30 pages. Featured in our spring issue are Margaret Howell, The Real McCoy’s, Beams, White Mountaineering, Our Legacy, Wm. J. Mills & Co., Unis, New Balance and several other fascinating people, brands and stories. The issue will be available to pre-order through the Inventory Stockroom next week and will be shipping and hitting shelves in early/mid-May.

—Inventory Stockroom

Beams Spring–Summer Catalog

The Beams collections have begun to release online with a handful of strong collaborations and pieces specifically from the Beams Plus collection. This seasons print catalog looks great again - from the styling to the photography every angle is covered and I'm happy to give you a glimpse into some of my favorite spreads. These looks include a mixture of Beams Plus pieces and other items from their shops. I really love the style, the colour palette and feel of the photos. We'll be showing you the Beams Plus collection and a couple collaborations later in the week as well. —

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New Balance x Beams 1500

This is one of those collaborations that feels unsurprisingly surprising, or maybe the other way around, I'm not sure. The two large companies that are Beams and New Balance have come together to create one of the most simple shoes released this spring. A lot of New Balance's collaborative efforts have been that of a more colorful manner and it took the masterful eye of the Japanese to pair down one of our favorite models by the American shoe maker. It's very difficult to go wrong with a grey suede trainer from New Balance, but it has been even more difficult to find the 1500 in this simple colorway. Classics like the 993 and now 996 are generally available, but Beams have done a nice job with one of the more playful models by New Balance. The odd thing from my perspective is that Beams is a huge champion of US made products, New Balance also tries to make as much as they can domestically and yet the 1500 is not an American made sneaker. While there are a lot of issues from materials to pricing that make it possible, it would have been nice to completely round out an otherwise great collaboration by having it made near by - even if it's not available anywhere close. — News via Hypebeast

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Alden for Beams Plus Long Wings

Alden and Beams just may have invented the process of collaboration as we know it today... Well maybe not quite, but the two well known companies have been working together for nearly 30 years creating an endless supply and variety of special make ups. Beams Plus in particular have taken advantage of Alden's custom abilities and have created some of the nicest models from Alden that we've never seen. At first glance, the latest pair of long wings appear to be quite simple, but by using a softer black leather calfskin and adding the black metal eyelets, it gives the shoe a more casual and sporty feel that I find especially appealing. I'm not one to dress up too formally very often, so when it comes to wearing a black pair of brogues there aren't a lot of options that grab my attention. The soft leather is likely going to break in quickly and beautifully to give a more pairing to denim in my opinion. In addition to the nice eyelet choice, I would love to see this model come with a natural coloured sole perhaps. It might sound odd, but I feel like the soft black could be nicely contrasted by the natural colour of a leather sole. The tonal choice by Beams + is far from bad as this is another pair of long wings I'd love to add to the arsenal. —

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Sugar Cane for Beams Work shirt

Another collaboration and another chambray shirt and another good product available only in Japan - sound familiar? I thought the collaboration between Sugar Cane and Beams was a little surprising to come across as I had seen no sign of this product in Tokyo, or any sign of Sugar Cane in any of the Beams shops. The other interesting fact is that while it's a Beams only product, it's made in the USA and still retails for only about $110. It is a fairly stripped down basic shirt however. The chambray doesn't look particularly thick or special, but the simplicity of the classic pockets, white stitching and buttons make it the ideal piece. I also do like the little cluster of woven labels and stamps on the inside of the collar. Sure, you can't see that when it's on, but its the details like those that I often get excited for and will make me feel better in the shirt knowing they are there. —

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Beams Lights Fair Isle Ties

Fair Isle has been on my radar for a number of months now. There's been some great socks lately and I'm still looking for a good crewneck sweater but I've never really considered the pattern outside of that until now. These ties were one of my favourite sightings today at Beams. Made from a really nice alpaca knit they're super soft to the touch and provide a nice bit of texture and even more character to the colourful pieces of neckwear. All different combinations of which are fantastic and would provide a great edge to an outfit. I'm not normally a fan of the flat bar tie but I think these work well with the horizontal pattern so I'm alright with it here. They'd look particularly good with a blue or white oxford shirt and a shade of pants similar to the base colour of the tie you're wearing.

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Thorogood for Beams

Unsurprisingly, Beams have been one of the most impressive retailers we've come across in Tokyo. From everything I've heard and seen, my expectations were high for the specialty shop and I haven't been disappointed at all. Between the in-house Beams Plus collection, the well edited selection from brands like EG and Sunny Sports and the Beams collaborations, the shops are definitely an example to be noted. One of the stand out products for a good price were these Thorogood for Beams oxfords. Much like the pair I featured by Red Wing, the low cut boots feature a low profile sole and moc toe stitch pattern. However, there isn't actually a raised seam on the toe, the 4 track stitching forms the pattern and creates a great look for the shoes, while keeping them more toned down and wearable. —

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