What does trad mean to you? We asked 22 people, including VERDY, about their thoughts on trad – Part 2

What do you think "traditional style" is?

It's about breaking down balance and rules and then reconstructing them. My first experience with traditional style was my junior high school uniform. My mother, who worked as a seamstress, customised it for me. For someone like me who hated the standard uniform system, this was my first custom-made outfit, and I sought interest and beauty in breaking down that system.

Who do you consider to be "trad"?

Ota Hikaru from Bakusho Mondai. He immediately came to mind. His style of comedy seems very calculated.

Please rephrase the word "trad" in your own words.

Respecting tradition, understanding and being familiar with it, and then trying to break it down and maintain a balance - these two are two sides of the same coin and of equal value.

What do you think "traditional style" is?

The words "urban combat uniform" that Nomura Kunichi wrote in a magazine a few years ago have stayed with me. I like outerwear that embodies those words, and recently I bought a jacket that is a collaboration between Junya Watanabe Man and Carhartt. I like the black color and the design with lots of pockets. It's convenient because you can store stickers, pens, keys, wallet, etc. separately.

Who do you consider to be "trad"?

This is Hikaru from Bounty Hunter. His style of matching the colors of his band T-shirts with his sneakers was also influenced by Hikaru.

Please rephrase the word "trad" in your own words.

Items that create your own character. I think that traditional items are essential to each person.

What do you think "traditional style" is?

Something authentic, simple and sophisticated, something I'd want to wear at any time. Something that has a personal touch and a British feel. My go-to items are a three-piece suit, a navy blazer and loafers.

Who do you consider to be "trad"?

Edward VIII. In modern times, Charles III, or TOKITO designer Tokito Yoshida. People who always have a sense of the times and their own style are cool.

Please rephrase the word "trad" in your own words.

For me, it's like a Kintaro candy. No matter what clothes you wear, you have your own style, and while you can update it to suit the times, your own style remains the same; it's a timeless coolness.

What do you think "traditional style" is?

My wardrobe is full of traditional clothes, but I choose to wear them in ways that are not traditional. I think that's the beauty of classic clothes. What it allows me to do—or at least feel like it allows me to feel like—is to look in the mirror and not compare myself to someone else or try to emulate someone else's look.

And I think the appeal of trad is that it has so many different touchpoints. It can be presented as a uniform that everyone can understand, but it can also be presented in a unique way. It's not completely constrained. I think the fact that both brands and individuals can approach it in this way is one of the reasons why trad can be traditional, yet updated and contemporary.

Who do you consider to be "trad"?

People like Tyler, the Creator, Andre 3000, or Miles Davis in the mid-60s—it's no coincidence that they're all musicians. They instinctively approach everyday life from a creative perspective, which I think makes traditional clothing even more exciting.

Please rephrase the word "trad" in your own words.

He defines rad as trad. Radical trad, trad that is not bound by tradition.

What do you think "traditional style" is?

A fusion of classic and modern. The silhouette may be modern, but it has a classical nuance, and is a style that expresses the chic side of the individual. It's more casual than dressing down, and incorporates classic elements. Recently, my traditional style has been classic jackets, coats, blousons and caps.

Who do you consider to be "trad"?

Director Shinya Yamamoto is well known for his styling of jackets, shirts, and caps. I used to wear a knit cap, but around 2021, I started matching my clothes to my car, which is my hobby, and switched to a cap.

Please rephrase the word "trad" in your own words.

Trad = a personal style that evolves with your mood. The charm of trad is that what you wear and how you dress reveals a lot about you.

What do you think "traditional style" is?

Jimbocho, where my shop Surugadai Yaguchi is located, seems to have many shops and styles that exude a traditional feel. It's a hub for subculture, a fascinating place where a diverse mix of cultures, including second-hand books, gathers. It's also a place where people who like classic fashion gather. I often get inspiration for my fashion and hairstyles from music and art.

Who do you consider to be "trad"?

Poet Allen Ginsberg. His gray hair, distinctive glasses, and cool suit style.

Please rephrase the word "trad" in your own words.

Learning from the past and continuing to create in the future.

What do you think "traditional style" is?

It never goes out of style. If there's one item that symbolizes it, it's the pocket T-shirt. Before I became an adult, I was watching an 80s American movie and I was surprised to see a character wearing this item. To me at the time, T-shirts were just underwear. I think that was the moment I became aware of my traditional style.

Who do you consider to be "trad"?

Actor Tom Cruise. The movie "Top Gun" released in 1986 left a particularly strong impression on me.

Please rephrase the word "trad" in your own words.

Something that exists in every era and never disappears.

What do you think "traditional style" is?

The focus is on clothes that are classic in shape but have a strong design, and are full of originality and sex appeal. The appeal is that it allows you to express your individuality in an easy-to-understand way. I don't have any rules or preferences, as I coordinate my outfits intuitively, but if I had to pick one, I would try to create contrast. For example, a Mickey Mouse sweatshirt with leather pants, or a worn jacket with slacks.

Who do you consider to be "trad"?

I couldn't choose.

Please rephrase the word "trad" in your own words.

A weapon that only you can possess and wield.

What do you think "traditional style" is?

It's not a fashion to show off to others. Traditional clothing doesn't make you look rich or popular with women. It's simply a style that lets you be yourself. Another important point is that the word "trad" is Japanese-English. Button-down shirts, blazers, and chinos are all practical, mass-produced items born from the American rational spirit, but the postwar generation of Japanese who spent their youth in the 1950s and 1960s found a story in them, and magazines and other media helped develop them into a unique culture.

Today, we live in an age where America and other Westerners are inspired by traditional Japanese fashion, giving birth to new fashions. I am fascinated by the story of traditional Japanese fashion.

Who do you consider to be "trad"?

Manabu Niiya, current director of Bungeishunju Ltd. This renowned editor, known for his "Bunshun Ho" magazine, is also the person in Japan who knows the most about American traditional style. He's not just into fashion, but his attitude of loving a single piece of clothing for decades is admirable. I think his unwavering determination is due to the fact that he has a firm foundation in both his style and his personality.

Please rephrase the word "trad" in your own words.

It's like Linus' blanket, a source of comfort.

What do you think "traditional style" is?

Designer clothes have the designer's colors, but I think the charm of traditional styles is that they look different depending on who is wearing them. When I think of traditional styles, I think of Porsche 911, Levi's® 501, Lacoste L.12.12, etc. All of these have been around since I was young, and I'm amazed that they are still so popular today. In my own styling, I try not to wear the same things as everyone else, especially since they are basic.

Who do you consider to be "trad"?

Businessman Jiro Shirasu. Nowadays, we would call him the rapper Tyler, the Creator. Among hip-hop artists, he is an interesting figure who wears traditional brands familiar to Japanese people in a new way, influencing young people.

Please rephrase the word "trad" in your own words.

Classic is a dot, trad is a line. No matter how good something is, if it has outlived its time, it is no longer classic (a dot). The older generation wants to pass on the things they have learned to the younger generation, and the younger generation wants to learn about the good old things. Trad is the line that connects these two dots. This is a golden rule that I learned from my senior, and I still faithfully keep it in mind.

What do you think "traditional style" is?

It's a style that is unique to each individual and doesn't change with the seasons. Its appeal is that it never goes out of style or goes out of style. When it comes to what I wear, it's cashmere sweaters, whether second-hand or new. I bought my first cashmere sweater when I was 22 or 23 years old. I can't remember the brand, but it was a beige sweater in a medium gauge at a second-hand shop. Since then, I've been wearing a variety of cashmere sweaters.

My current staple items include AURALEE, POLO RALPH LAUREN, LACOSTE, and PRINGLE OF SCOTLAND. By the way, I only have two preferences: I don't treat cashmere too carefully, but I treat it roughly and wear it casually (I don't mind pilling, I just leave it as it is). I like to style it casually with second-hand duck pants and denim.

Who do you consider to be "trad"?

I think of writer Fran Lebowitz and film director Martin Scorsese as both being traditional in their sensibilities.

Please rephrase the word "trad" in your own words.

It's not just about shirts and jackets, but about a style that is unique to each individual and doesn't change with the seasons.