2020.09.16 update

[Special Feature] Buyer Yuki Yamaura talks about "Fun To Dress" VOL.1


Putting on new clothes at the start of a new season is a great joy—the autumn/winter season has arrived, allowing us to fully enjoy the rich world of men's dress wear. "I like the phrase 'best outfit,' and I think that having one carefully selected garment that you cherish for a long time is what leads to it becoming a 'special item' for you," says Yuki Yamaura, buyer for men's tailored clothing on the 5th floor Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building .

In this new series, Yamaura, who is well-versed in the world of clothing production, will introduce his favorite personal items. In this first installment, we will feature items from the 2020 Autumn/Winter "Fun To Dress" collection.

  1. From the mindset of always wearing the same uniform, to clothes that you can enjoy more actively.
  2. "Fun To Dress" supports your adventurous spirit, making dressing up even more fun.
    1. Ambrosi's colored flannel pants
    2. Striped suits exude a fresh appeal alongside a return to classic styles.
    3. A supreme leather outer garment that conveys the passion of "sartorial" craftsmanship through its leather construction.


From the mindset of always wearing the same uniform, to clothes that you can enjoy more actively.


Last spring, Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building underwent a major remodel, and the 5th floor was renamed from "Business Clothing" to "Tailored Clothing." The biggest change on the 5th floor was the approach; we shifted our focus away from the Japanese-English term "business wear" and aimed to create a floor that would be widely recognized internationally.


In Japan, there's a strong perception that business wear equals a suit, but along with the change in name, we've introduced the message "Fun to Dress." Through well-made clothing with a solid background, we want people to enjoy tailored and dressy clothing more, and appreciate it as a style. Our product range is wide, from serious suits to seasonal items featuring fresh materials, colors, and patterns, but the underlying idea is to encourage men to enjoy dressing up more.



This season's theme for men's tailored clothing is "everlasting," meaning "endless, timeless." It truly embodies the idea of owning a special outfit and cherishing one piece for a long time. We will carefully handle items that have a proper story and possess meaning and value as part of your wardrobe.


"Fun To Dress" supports your adventurous spirit, making dressing up even more fun.

I've selected three items that I consider to be my favorite "Fun To Dress" pieces, and what they all have in common is that they are "universal," and at the same time, they are "companions" that have always been in my wardrobe and that I find myself wearing all the time.

Engaging in dialogue with tailors and factory workers who are experts in garment making, and constantly striving for the best and finest, is a source of joy for me, and I believe that "cherishing each garment" is the most essential thing for clothing today.


Ambrosi's colored flannel pants

<Ambrosi> Slacks ¥121,000 View product
□ Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building 5th Floor = Men's Tailored Clothing / Mitsukoshi Isetan Online Store


When I go on buying trips to Italy, I usually have a general idea of what I'm looking for. At AMBROSI, the original label of a trousers factory in Naples that has been in business for over 100 years, the current owner, Salvatore Ambrosi, recommended a fancy wool flannel from Holland & Sherry, a prestigious British merchant specializing in high-end fabrics, saying, "We have this material in different colors." It was a fabric that hadn't been imported to Japan yet, and I was delighted that something new was created on the spot.


While the details, such as the single pleat, extended fly, and bar tack stitching on the pockets, reveal a classic Neapolitan style, what truly stands out is the extraordinary comfort. This is achieved through the sewing technique of the significantly raised crotch, the meticulous ironing that removes any creases, and the three-dimensional form of the inseam, which is crucial for a perfect fit. The soft feel, characteristic of hand-stitching, also adds to its appeal, naturally dressing up any outfit.

Striped suits exude a fresh appeal alongside a return to classic styles.


Top: Alfonso Silica suit ¥385,000 Middle: Orazio Luciano suit ¥396,000 View Products
Below: Suit by Sartoria Dalcuore , ¥396,000 □ Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building 5th Floor = Men's Tailored Clothing / Mitsukoshi Isetan Online Store


On the 5th floor, the men's tailored clothing section has long offered suits in solid colors and checks, but in keeping with the concept of "Fun To Dress," we are proposing the revival of stripes. The appeal of stripes lies in their undeniable presence as a masculine suit. In particular, stripes applied to brushed fabrics for autumn and winter blend well with the fabric, resulting in a comfortable and easy-to-wear finish.

This time, I selected pinstripe suits from three manufacturers: Alfonso Sirica, which handcrafts Neapolitan-style suits; Sartoria Dalcuore, which offers the quintessentially elegant Neapolitan style; and Orazio Luciano, which carries on the traditional "Sartoria Napoletano" tradition into the modern age. However, the one that best suits my current mood is the gray flannel pinstripe suit from Orazio Luciano.


It has a warm feel and allows you to enjoy the season, and it evokes a solid, traditional look with a long-point shirt, silver collar pin, and black crest tie.


A supreme leather outer garment that conveys the passion of "sartorial" craftsmanship through its leather construction.


< Alfred Rifugio > Leather Blouson ¥440,000 View Product
□ Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building 5th Floor = Men's Tailored Clothing / Mitsukoshi Isetan Online Store

This is a leather blouson from Alfredo Rifugio, a brand renowned for its handmade leather craftsmanship. What you feel when you see it is the discerning eye and passion of its owner, Alfredo Rifugio, and the intense dedication of the craftsmen who handcraft each piece of leather stitch by stitch. It truly is a one-of-a-kind leather outer garment that embodies the spirit of "Fun To Dress."


I personally love leather items, but this black deerskin leather, with its meticulous stitching that reflects a deep commitment to quality, truly embodies an artisanal spirit. This is another piece that will last a lifetime.



Photo: Tatsuya Ozawa
Text: Makoto Kajii

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*The information in this article is current as of the time of publication. Product information may be revised or changed without notice.

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