Late last year, we had the honour of adding The Real McCoy’s to our collection. It’s a brand we’ve had our sights on for a while as their core values align perfectly with our own.
In late 2023, we had the honour of adding The Real McCoy’s to our collection. We had our sights on this brand for a while as their core values align perfectly with our own.
Founded in 2001 by vintage collector, Hitoshi Tsujimoto, The Real McCoy’s are an increasingly rare breed. The brand specialise in the meticulous reproduction of classic American staples. The craftsmen achieve this by drawing on a variety of historic menswear reference points.
Each piece finds a place in The Real McCoy’s collections, from the combat garb of the ‘40s to the leather jackets of the ‘50s. This extends to the sportswear and Ivy League trappings of the ‘60s and beyond.
Founder, Hitoshi Tsujimoto, spent the ‘70s and ‘80s cutting his teeth on Osaka’s vintage scene. Here, Hitoshi discovered a burgeoning market for vintage Americana, developing thread-by-thread knowledge of how to recreate it.
Crafting Vintage Americana-Style Pieces, Two Decades Later
Fast forward two decades and The Real McCoy’s now call on a vast archive of early-to-mid-20th century garments. The brand reproduce these styles to the finest standard, using techniques forgotten by most and lost on many more. In doing so, The Real McCoy’s have come to represent the gold standard in Japanese-made, repro Americana.
Constructed by Japan’s Diligent & Hardworking People
In terms of construction The Real McCoy’s have no interest in the shortcut or the easy way around. In fact, the Kobe-based brand has made an artform of the long and laboured way of doing things.
The Real McCoy’s reproduce each Americana-style garment to the highest degree of accuracy. Whatever components they can't find or salvage, the brand simply makes for themselves. Zippers, rivets, buttons – even lengths of selvedge denim – are custom made to the most exacting specifications.
This eye for quality detail shines through in every piece we stock from The Real McCoys. The brand’s V-neck sweaters use an all-natural, 80/20 mohair/wool split. Most high-street garments settle for a mohair veneer over a synthetic core.
The Real Mccoy’s Khaki and Navy N1 Deck jackets aren’t just different colourways. These iconic jackets also feature subtly different – historically accurate - design accents. The B3 Flight Jacket uses nothing but best-of-class, veg-tanned horsehide and premium, Australian sheepskin.
Even simpler garments like the cotton knit products showcase this above-and-beyond construction showmanship. The brand knits their crewnecks, hoodies, and sweatpants in Wakayama using traditional hanging loopwheel machines. The loopwheeling process strengthens and aerates the fabric for a longer life and a more steadfast fit.
The Real McCoy’s production process is a masterclass in complete control. Nothing is stock, almost everything is custom, and you won't find their fabrics, hides, or hardware anywhere else.
Balancing Heritage with Wearability
It’s rare to find a brand prepared to go to such extremes to achieve such period-accurate reproductions. It’s rarer still to find a brand that will do so without becoming too bogged down in traditionalism.
Heritage is honourable, but never to the detriment of wearability. Sure, the brand works hard to adhere to original patterns and materials. But the craftsmen are also happy to improve upon original textiles where necessary.
This tweaking of patterns, fits, and materials allows the brand to combine traditional aesthetics with modern utility. It’s this careful combination that separates the timeless from the of its time.
The Real McCoy’s crowning achievement is a collection of endlessly wearable garments. The past informs each piece but never dictates it. The brand crafts its range of time-tested menswear staples with contemporary style in mind, born of heritage and history.
We’re extremely proud to bring you a growing collection of The Real McCoy’s finest pieces.
Shop The Real McCoy's today for pieces inspired vintage Americana fashion.