When asked to introduce his favorite items, Okada surprised everyone by bringing an eco-bag full of long socks. "At home, I have 10 acrylic boxes full of socks. Plain dress socks to wear with suits, casual socks for when I wear sneakers, two boxes of shoe-in socks, and then long socks," he explained casually. Enjoy the second installment of our buyer's favorite items series, featuring Yoichi Okada's "sock obsession."

Looking at the large number of socks he had brought with him, he began counting, "The acrylic boxes for the socks are..." and the interview began.

First of all, why do I like socks?

It all started when, after graduating from university and joining the company, a senior colleague taught me that "the proper way for a man to dress is to wear long socks" and "don't wear an undershirt under your dress shirt," and that's when I started wearing socks for work.

Socks are an item that can change your style starting from just 1000 yen, and their appeal lies in the fact that they are cheaper than pocket squares or ties. Today I've brought a lot of patterned socks, but for example, if you change your usual outfit to red socks, it can make you look more fashionable, or give the impression that you pay attention to your footwear, and it can have various effects.

When choosing my clothes each day, I start by selecting my socks—"I want to wear these socks today"—and then I choose my pants, jacket, and shoes. Since I have a lot of colorful and patterned socks, my jackets are usually plain.

I love camouflage patterns, and I make sure to incorporate at least one camouflage item into my outfit every day. I used to buy a lot of camouflage when I was a buyer, and I love that there are so many different patterns, and because the pattern isn't very regular, it helps to balance out the overall look of an outfit.

SEEK Long Hose ¥2,160 View Product

I've finally found it: the groundbreaking long hose

There are various theories about the origin of hose, such as that they were originally long to be worn with boots, or that they were worn to match short knickerbockers. In Japan, it is said that they were worn as a matter of male etiquette to prevent showing leg hair when crossing one's legs.

Another reason I like socks is that I get very cold easily and my ankles get cold, so in winter I sometimes wear two pairs of socks. When I was a buyer, I wanted a pair of socks that were like pantyhose to wear inside other socks, so I worked with a manufacturer to create one.
I'm particular about the materials I use. For socks as we head into winter, I'd really like to wear cashmere, but I often choose cotton-nylon because it's durable and can be worn year-round.
I've worn all sorts of socks over the years, and I still prefer hose, but I've finally found my perfect pair: these long hose from SEEK .

Tapered pants are a staple in men's fashion these days, but we often hear from customers that "the calf area is too narrow and the socks stick to it."
The solution to this problem is these SEEK socks, which feature a calf area made of cupro, a smooth material used for clothing linings, preventing them from clinging to pants and reducing stuffiness—a truly revolutionary design. I have a feeling these will become a globally successful product.

Okada's way of enjoying socks: from styling to washing methods.

The comfort of socks depends on the stitching at the toe, and especially for dress socks made of delicate materials, choosing those made with "hand-linking," where each stitch is carefully aligned by hand by skilled artisans, will result in a comfortable fit without any bulkiness at the toes. My perspective on and handling of socks changed after visiting a sock factory during my time as a buyer.

Looking at the male stylists at Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building , some wear tucked-in pants all year round. This has the advantage of creating a nice contrast between the skin tone of the pants and shoes, and also makes your favorite shoes stand out.
Nowadays, they even sell shoe inserts with a fleece lining, so you can wear them even in winter, but I get cold easily, so I still wear proper socks (laughs).

When you're struggling to choose socks, go for plain navy. They go with black shoes, brown shoes, and gray pants—when in doubt, choose navy. Ideally, buy two or three sets of your favorite socks, rotate them, and wear a spare when one gets a hole—that way you can enjoy them for a long time.


Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building B1F - The socks section carries socks from Japan, the UK, and Italy. Japanese-made socks are often beautifully shaped and highly durable, making them excellent quality.

The UK offers brands like CORGI , JOHN SMEDLEY , PANTHERELLA , all known for their traditional and meticulous craftsmanship. Italy carries brands such as GALLO , red, and MARCOLIANI , but we recommend Italian-made items for their excellent color palette and vibrant hues.

Socks reflect national characteristics and preferences, but you can enjoy a more polished look by matching your socks to the country of origin: Italian socks with an Italian suit, British socks with a British jacket, and Japanese socks with a Japanese brand. I encourage you to try it.

She emphasized to the reporting team that they should roll it up to prevent the elastic from stretching out, while also keeping the pattern easily visible!

Next, let's talk about how to dry and store socks. When washing and drying socks, hang them with the elastic band at the top facing upwards. If you hang them with the toes facing upwards, detergent residue will fall down and accelerate the deterioration of the elastic. Also, hanging them inside out will prevent color fading from sunlight.

When storing them, don't fold the opening and roll them up, because the elastic will stretch! I roll them up together, both feet together. I roll up my ties too.

Men's fashion at ISETAN MEN'S

My deep interest in socks stems largely from my two years as manager of men's underwear, socks, and loungewear at Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building my two years as buyer. I discovered the fascinating world of socks and underwear, and they became something I truly love.

I joined the company as a new graduate at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi, and after it became Mitsukoshi Isetan Holdings, I moved to Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building .
My theme during my job search was that "Japan's growth is due to its national character, and when considering Japan's resources and assets, the most important thing is 'people'. " I thought about how I could meet as many people as possible in my life, and since I also love fashion, I chose a department store.

Because of my personality, I have a tendency to be easily influenced by trends and want to experience and encounter all sorts of things, so I was interested in department stores that stock a wide variety of trendy items for clothing, food, and housing. I chose Mitsukoshi because I thought it would allow me to "build relationships with customers at a relaxed pace."

The biggest difference between Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building and Mitsukoshi is the "speed, curation, and breadth of products."
Mitsukoshi offers "timeless, high-quality items that remain unchanged no matter when you visit," while Isetan offers "good items that align with the values of the times, and also has the ability to adapt to the needs of future generations of customers."
Currently, I'm in charge of promotions and e-commerce for Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building , and I think Isetan suits my personality.

To men of my generation who are spending a lot of money

Men in their late 30s and early 40s are at the age where they have the most expenses, juggling family, childcare, and their own personal lives. Managing their finances for fashion is tough, but socks are an affordable way to enjoy fashion. Fashion isn't just about self-satisfaction; it's also about entertaining others, so I hope they continue to enjoy the "sense of the times," no matter their age!

I also see men who say, "My wife prepares everything for me, so I don't have to think about what to wear, which is great," but if you don't actively choose your clothes yourself, they become like a uniform.

Are you wearing clothes, or are you being dressed? Is the act of getting dressed every day enjoyable, or is it a chore? Even something as simple as socks can make everyday life more enjoyable if you pay attention to your details. Your wife tells you the impression you make on the person closest to you, so while you should respect her opinion, you should still think for yourself about what to wear.

If you're someone who can't spend a lot of money on clothes, the first thing you should do is have "one go-to outfit."
For example, you could start with a navy jacket and charcoal gray slacks, and have fun by changing the tie, pocket square, and socks. Then, you could try changing the bottoms to white pants, or in winter, layering a vest, or adding a scarf to create a different look.

When I buy clothes, I'm aware of trends, but my main criterion is that they should be something I can wear for at least three years.
Fashion can be a positive influence on your life. Making a good impression on others never hurts. I'm rooting for men in their late 30s and early 40s, my own age group!


inquiry
Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building , B1F = Underwear, socks, nightwear
03-3352-1111 (main representative)
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