Up for sale here is a pair of pants from Japan’s Kapital label, one of a number of Japanese brands strongly influenced by American design and culture. Kapital are a bit different in that they have a very strong indigo influence for one, but also because some of their designs are a bit more “out there” than some of their contemporaries. They’re not a strictly work wear or vintage reproduction brand, but more use those tried and true silhouettes as a starting point and really do their own thing on top of that, offering in many cases pretty radical reinterpretations of work and vintage clothing.
In this case we have Kapital’s take on the classic cotton duck work pants. These pants come from Kapital’s “flare star” collection. As the name implies, flare star was highly inspired by 1960s and 70s hippie culture. Many of the pants incorporated various levels of flares, boot cuts and bell bottoms. The fabric here is based on vintage work pants, think of Carhartt cotton duck pants, while the silhouette has been tweaked quite a bit. There is a crease line sewn into the front and back of the pants, with a logo tag on the coin pocket and another on the waistband. Waistband button is branded, there is a zip fly and the cuffs do have a flare to them.
Kapital is never one to cut corners. Their designs are often highly creative but you can be sure that they are always coming from a foundation of vintage Americana and quality construction and materials. Kapital production runs are typically very small with very limited availability especially outside of Japan. Retail was about $300 in Japan alone and these would have gone for about $500 abroad if you could find them.
Size is labeled a 34 and fits true. I measure the waist at 34” / 86cm, inseam at 28” / 71cm, rise at 12” / 31cm, and leg opening at 10.5” / 26cm. The pants come in used, generally good shape. There is some wear throughout, including some coloring from a belt on the waistband. Coloring is intentionally uneven and reflects the original condition. Otherwise no holes, tears or stains. Made in Japan.
Shipping from Japan to anywhere will be $30.
