Very interesting and unique piece here from Japan Blue Jeans. Japan Blue Jeans is one of the labels run by the Rampuya company, the same people who oversee the Momotaro Jeans label. Japan Blue and Momotaro share a lot of the same DNA, where both are manufactured in their own factory located in the Kojima area of central Japan, but specialize in indigo and denim products, and they always build their products very substantial. All of their clothes are tough and made to last.
This is one of the more experimental releases from Japan Blue. It comes from their 2023 spring-summer collection and is known as “banana denim”. That is, this fabric actually incorporates banana fibers into the denim. To be precise, it is an 18% banana, 82% cotton blend. Part of the idea behind using banana is to be more ecologically responsible, as banana is much more easily harvested and more easily renewed compared to cotton (or polyesters, which are sometimes also incorporated into denim).
On top of that, as you might expect banana fiber also gives the fabric a completely unique feel. There is quite a bit of slub and texture to this fabric and it is also lighter in weight and more breathable than a standard cotton denim. That’s why this is a spring-summer piece, where it will make a good alternative to some of the heavier denim pieces out there.
Other labels have sometimes experimented with various fabrics in addition to pure cotton for their denim. It is common to see linen and polyester blends, for example, and Sugar Cane notably make their “Okinawa” denim line using sugar cane fibers mixed with cotton. Still, no one else has yet tried producing denim with banana fabrics. This was a limited run with Japan Blue, where they were experimenting with the fabric and seeing the level of cost effectiveness. At this point it is not clear if or when they will be releasing more of these banana denim pieces.
Aside from the fabric, other details include white coconut nut buttons throughout, an open collar, flat hem, a large chest pocket with the shirt flap covering the top, and chain stitch construction. These pieces were produced in very limited quantities, and as far as I know were only available in Japan. They are now sold out as well, but get it here at a fraction of the retail price.
Size is labeled a medium and fits relaxed, easily working for a large as well. I measure the chest at 24” / 60cm, shoulders at 20” / 51cm, length at 25” / 64cm and 27” / 68.5cm in back, both from the base of the neck, and sleeves at 23” / 59cm from the shoulder. The shirt comes in lightly used, excellent shape with no holes, tears, stains, no visible signs of wear and no fading of the indigo. Made in Japan.
Shipping from Japan to anywhere will be $24.
