Need help purchasing capsule wardrobe while in Japan & Korea
Hi guys, as the title says i will be travelling to Japan and korea (seoul, busan, kyoto, osaka, tokyo) next month, and need help on where to buy a capsule wardrobe if possible. This includes shoes and accessories. I'm only looking out for stuff there is specifically cheaper because im buying it in japan (i.e most japanese brands). If its the same price as international, i might as well buy it locally. I've been searching on my own, but most results are for eu brands in japan. Hoping you guys would know which brands to lookout for and where to shop.
Measurements: I'm 181cm, skinny. Have long thin arms and a small chest (80.5cm). Waist fluctuates bet 76.5 to 78 (though i can wear size 29 uniqlo jeans)but my butt is quite big. Working on bulking, so a size up on shirts is fine
Personal style preference: Normcore. I like a well fitted t-shirt/polo with some jeans/chinos and white sneakers,and hate fancy designs or things that will make me stand out. May play around with colours, but thats the limit.
Current wardrobe: I work in an office environment as an engineer, so 70% are polos/short sleeve shirts with chinos/office pants,almost all from uniqlo, which i rotate every day. The remaining 30 % are 3 t shirts, 2 cargo shorts(plan on replacing them with chino shorts), and 2 dress shirts. I wear size m polos (might be s depending on country, its the 35-38in chest size one), as a size down makes the shirt too short.
Usual attire: Weekdays its office wear and then straight home. Weekends i rarely go out and if i do, its for causal shopping and not fancy restaurants where i will throw on a polo/tee and shorts
Environment: I live in a tropical country(SG), so the weather is either hot and humid, or raining and humid.
Clothes requirements: Should be durable, i rather spend more to buy somthing that lasts then spend less and replace often(For context my t-shirts are 8 yrs old now and I sewed the holes in my jacket 3 times rather than get a new one)
4 Replies
Currently shopping more in japan as i'm not a big fan of the oversized trend in korean and I've read that japan's quality is slightly better, but am open to buy in korea if the quality and fit is good. Rn I'm confirmed to visit iron heart osaka for most of my stuff, gotemba(just visiting), hinoya and Beams japan.
Below here is a list of stuff which i plan on getting and where i will get them, will update as i go along
Polos: No idea where to buy. Looking for something better than uniqlo ideally. Been wearing pique polo, but am open to try other fabrics. Don't like the feeling of dri-fit tho.
T-Shirt: Open to suggestions, tho currently looking at loopwheel shirts from iron heart osaka since i'm already heading there and maybe #FFFFFFT. Looking for plain cotton white, black, navy and grey t-shirts that have good fit. No relaxed or oversized fits.
Jeans: A dark wash and grey jeans (maybe also black)from Iron heart Osaka and maybe hinoya in ueno if i can't find a good fit. Only looking at seldvge, open to other brands if they offer fits for big butts.
Chinos: Open to suggestions, tho currently getting at Iron heart Osaka also. Getting a navy, khaki, olive, and maybe grey.
Chino shorts: No idea where to buy. Looking for navy and khakl, maybe grey also.
Socks: Getting in korea, tho no specific store in mind yet. Heard good things about their socks.
White leather sneaker: Onitsuka tiger nippon made lawnship from tokyo. I'm more into stan smiths rather than air force 1 design, open to other brands tho. Main criteria is must be all white with no designs on the sides(ventillation holes still acceptable) and must be durable.
Boat shoes/Loafers: No idea where to buy, though not a critical purchase since I can't find any japan/korea specific brands. Looking for a nice fabric one i can easily wear.
Bomber jacket: No idea where to buy. Thinking of getting one though most jackets i've seen from japan has the big designs which is not my taste, may get in korea. Looking out for either no designs or a plain subtle one with a small logo which i can wear in the office at my seat.
Belt: No idea where to buy. Looking for a black and brown belt, not really picky, just one that won't peel over time.
Watches: Planning on visiting a Yodobashi and Bic Camera to get a decent citizen quartz dress watch in black and brown strap(swappable if possible), maybe a sport watch if there's enough budget (all <15000 yen). Open to other suggestions, pref new tho
Let me know if you guys need any measurements or any other info, any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot in advance.
Some past threads with options for Japan here - https://discord.com/channels/1116793467654381685/1130634510040563882
https://discord.com/channels/1116793467654381685/1127957051017011210
Previous Korea q&a: https://discord.com/channels/1116793467654381685/1197713653705740428
Thanks, looking through the list of shops now. Most I've seen so far only have oversized or bold designs, but will keep looking.