THE AMERICAN CASUAL 2022 Vol.2
An introduction to American casual by 2021. The relationship between American casual 5-pocket jeans and shoes.

The classic 5-pocket jean is still the straight blue jean, represented by the 501® from Levi's (®︎). Yves Saint Laurent once said, "I wanted to invent blue jeans. They are spectacular, practical, most relaxed, and casual. They have expression, color, and humble simplicity. It's everything I want my clothes to be." As you can see, they have transcended the boundaries of American casual and have become a timeless staple in fashion.

Such straight five-pocket jeans have been thoroughly pursued since the replica boom of the 1990s up to the present, to the extent that vintage denim yarns have been disassembled and researched from fiber length to spinning and dyeing methods. Among these, HOUYHNHNM's focused on back-to-basics. The most royal of all royal brands is the 501XX from Levi's® Vintage Clothing, which reprints archives from the past under their own names. In particular, the model reissued in '55, when jeans were first used as a fashion piece, has a good balance of work and fashion, and the slightly thicker silhouette should fit in with the trend.

The characteristic of the reissued model of the 50's is that it is made loosely around the thighs, hips, and even the hem. The moccasin boots with a voluminous, rugged, and generous toe were chosen. While having hunting and native roots, the moc toe is roomy and not too stiff, combining the ruggedness of American casual with the ease of a daily-use item. Red Wing's Irish Setter, for example, is as familiar as the 501® to those who know the heavy-duty style of the 80s and the austere style of the 90s.

Another good thing about reissued jeans is that you can easily wear one-washed dark blue color with vintage details. Especially when worn with moc-toe boots, jeans with darker indigo color will look more modern and mature than those with hard faded color, as the earthy smell will disappear. If you are wearing boots that have been worn and aged, it is best to choose jeans with a clean look to adjust the contrast. To match the volume of the boots, set the length long enough so that the heel does not step on the hem when the shoes are taken off, and the length should be long enough to give you a cushion.

Moc-toe boots are a standard American casual style and are currently released by a variety of brands, from domestic to European manufacturers. However, if you are going to pursue the American casual style, you should choose boots made in the United States. This is because boots are an item where you can tell at a glance whether they are made in the U.S. or not. The rough finish that tends to be found in American boots also has a certain "character" in a sense, and the style of the boots when they are worn in will also be superior to American boots.