brad-t
Buffalo Bobs Crystal — Neo Spiral Boots — ¥16,800
Posting this because it’s interesting how they’ve addressed one of the biggest problems of synthetic leather shoes — toe scuffs. They’ve used real leather for the toe cap only, increasing durability while keeping the price low!
galism
I'm looking for the name of those type of boots... where most japanese host (and other men) wears, the boots are kinda pointed and usually up to the ankles, some with buckles all over. Do you know those kind of boots? What's the name of those? I really want a pair but I don't even know how to find them since I don't know what they're called >_< Sorry for the stupid question and thanks!
AnonymousThanks for you question! It depends on the boots, really. Your best bet would probably be going straight to the source and shopping for boots from onii-kei brands like Buffalo Bobs, FUGA, Sabgreed, etc.
The 109-2 men’s shopping site would be a good place to start, though you can also browse the huge list of stores that we’ve compiled over on the HARAJUJU forums.
Most of these stores will likely require a shopping service if you’re buying from outside of Japan. For shopping service recommendations, see our same store list on the HARAJUJU forums.
Trend Watch: Mod Coats (Men’s)
Mod coats earned their name during the 1960’s Mod subculture, when fishtail parkas were donned by fashionable young men in order to keep their clothing immaculate whilst scootering around the streets of London. Nowadays, mod coats are a fashion statement in and of themselves, and nowhere is that more evident than in Japan; fashionable parkas are available from many brands at varying price points. Below you’ll find our favourites, sorted from least to most expensive.
As a proponent of the idea that you get what you pay for, I am a bit conflicted over this coat. Even though it’s the cheapest on the list, I would argue that it’s easily one of the best looking, with its smooth wool and synthetic blend fabric, exaggerated fishtail, and wrap-around fur collar. For those of you on a budget, this is a solid choice.
For the grungier among you, this Buffalo Bobs Noir parka in distressed cotton could be just what you’ve been waiting for. This model has knit inserts under the arms for flexibility and ventilation and built-in knit handwarmers.
This is a re-issue from last year, but there’s not much that could have been done to improve this military-style coat. A unique funnel hood creates a great sense of structure and volume around the neck. The epaulets and chest pockets give it an almost “armoured” feeling.
For those of you looking for a vegan-friendly option, Japanese high-fashion designer Christian Dada delivers with this heavily customizable jacket. The faux fur, liner, and sleeves are all removable, which means you can look like a badass all year round. The stiff cotton shell strikes a great balance between streetwear and dark romanticism.
Better known for their fur-hooded parkas, Attachment forewent the hood entirely this year with the release of their high-collar mod coat. The result is a look that is both edgy and wearable … except in the rain.
Schorl showed no restraint in terms of materials with the release of this fantastic parka. The outer shell is constructed of dobby nylon, contrasted against the shiny goatskin sleeves. The large coyote fur ruff provides a dramatic touch, and the removable sheepskin lining allows you to adjust the coat for varying temperatures. Finishing things off with their signature silver 925 hardware, this is a coat that exudes luxury.
There are many other mods coats out there, but for us this is the crème de la crème and we hope that every fashion-conscious man will find something to love here. Which one is your favourite? Did we leave something out? Let us know!
Tokyo Telephone takes a look at Buffalo Bobs’ AW2011 collection. Some very cool pieces; I’m into this parka. Check out the full article.
Tokyo Telephone takes an inside look at the new Buffalo Bobs Hair salon at Men’s 109.
Buffalo Bobs continue in their quest to become the singular most dominant force in Japanese men’s street fashion with their latest venture: Buffalo Bobs Hair – a hair and nail salon in the basement of 109 Mens in Shibuya. They have come such a long way since “Buffalo Bobs – Used Vintage Clothing” opened up in 1995 on the bustling street in Ura-Harajukuthat would also be home to the other key players in the 109-2 revolution such as Fuga, Civarise and Luv Maison. Amongst those brands’ flagships that would play such a big part in my own formative years in Japanese fashion, only Rhydeal andJackrose now remain on that street, the rest having moved to Shibuya. The reason? Onii-Kei got big fast and it seemed to quite simply be exactly what Japanese men wanted at the time.
In the great 109 Men’s article posted by Tokyo Telephone, they posed an interesting question:
The only serious variable left in the industry is what will happen to those men’s brands that always stood on the sidelines of 109-2 such as Tornado Mart or the Host kings Sos Te Nuto. Will…
Here’s what I don’t get: sales for onii-kei/gyaru-o clothing were supposed to be tanking, and the style has, at best, stagnated, even with the whole “it’s more mature now” thing. Yet Buffalo Bobs just split into three separate lines and now Tornado Mart wants in on the action. I’m thinking of at least three possibilities for what may be going on:
- Macias was wrong. Or at least he overstated when he pronounced the death of the Wild Party, and the style has more life in it than expected. It’s shed some of the excess and is carrying on just fine.
- These are just poor business strategies. With sales declining, BB and Tornado Mart are trying to reinvent their brands to attract attention, and nobody at the meeting could suggest anything fresher than “more onii-kei”.
- This is the interesting one. The APC guy may have been right about Japan being “a dead, dead country” for fashion, and comparatively, onii-kei is still worth it. Onii-kei is stagnant, but that gives it a degree of stability that maybe Tornado Mart isn’t seeing with its usual fan base. BB sees this too, and is moving to corner the market, making sure they have a strong presence in all three main aspects of onii-kei. Basically, as bad as things may be at 109 Mens, outside it’s worse.
To be honest, I think Buffalo Bobs is a very special case. They seem to exist inside of a vacuum, separate from their contemporaries. They’re also selling what’s fundamentally a very different product, even if the target demographic is the same. Buffalo Bobs is doing very well sales-wise, so I don’t think that’s it, at all. I think Macias was wrong and right at the same time; these brands will go on, but not in the way we’re used to seeing.
As for Touitou, I’m not sure why anyone should care what he has to say about Japanese fashion; he’s in the business of selling boring, mediocrely-constructed clothing at luxury prices. Likely he is bitter that he couldn’t peddle his crap to a country with a thriving, high-quality mid-market.
These were evidently a big hit for Buffalo Bobs; they were re-released under the Buffalo Bobs Noir label as the Jimi-Spyder denim (I have no idea why they are called this) with a few extra hardware flourishes and more precise sizing. About to order my pair! How about you?
