SUPERDENIM SMALL QUESTIONS THREAD (Use instead of making new threads)

[Maynard Friedman]

Most things I no longer want, or fit as I’d like, rather than try to sell, I just give them to my 17 yr old son!

[beautiful_FrEaK]

Yep, let's give all our stuff to little Maynard!

[indigoeagle]

2 hours ago, Maynard Friedman said:

Most things I no longer want, or fit as I’d like, rather than try to sell, I just give them to my 17 yr old son!

I offered a pair of jeans to a friend a few years ago, but he didn't like them.
There are not many maniacs like us.

[Dr_Heech]

16 hours ago, Maynard Friedman said:

Most things I no longer want, or fit as I’d like, rather than try to sell, I just give them to my 17 yr old son!

I did the same but he gave some of it back 😅

(I will hold onto it tho as l know he'll  change his mind later on down the road)

[CSL]

Has anyone ordered directly from the Japanese store American Clothing Cream?

I'm trying to get an item before the end of the month when the $800 import exemption ends.

[Double 0 Soul]

I have, albeit back in 2016 when they had a Rakuten store, it was very easy transaction, they responded well to emails, they even marked the value down for shipping just not low enough to avoid charges.. minor quibble.

[CSL]

I guess it's a yahoo page I'm looking at. I can't figure out how to email them.

[indigoeagle]

This is their shop page:
https://www.e-cream.jp/

Rakuten: https://www.rakuten.co.jp/auc-cream-r/

You can write them an inquire message here:
https://www.e-cream.jp/login/inquiryedit

 

[CSL]

Thanks, indigoeagle!

[rockon99]

Jumping in here as well as I’ve been searching for more info on the De Minimus exception ending here in the states. 
 

Are there any workarounds or sneaky methods to avoid this? I’ve been shopping the auctions and things; From Japan, others, etc… it’s been so hassle free (knock on wood), and now I’m worried this may seal its fate as ruined for most of us here in the US. 

The sneaky trick used to be requesting the seller mark your item(s) as a “gift.” Oh, simpler times. 

[ATWM]

Nope, not really. Not legally as far as I can see. I did the math and on the occasions that the same item is found from US retailers, they are about to become much more competitive - assuming their retail stays what it is, which I wouldn’t actually assume. 15% tariff + overseas shipping + proxy fees can add up to pretty close to paying US  retail assuming free shipping.

I’m sure some retailers may still mark down values but - and this is different for everyone - I’ve personally never felt comfortable asking for that. 

[rockon99]

Thanks @ATWM good insight. This means it’s without regard for new versus used items I’m assuming?

Surely this has been discussed elsewhere—and I should just look through the SE thread— but I’m also worried about retailers within the states either having to raise prices a ton, or just straight up not carry many things. Like, we all know it, but this is just bad for business(es). This is just heinous chaos that will potentially ruin many retailers. /soapbox

[ATWM]

6 hours ago, rockon99 said:

Like, we all know it, but this is just bad for business(es). This is just heinous chaos that will potentially ruin many retailers

I live near the heart of the auto industry and any time I run into the white collar workers who are in it it doesn’t take long for them to mention how this is…not helping. I can’t imagine how it might be for small businesses who thrive on imports.
 

That said I do think there is merit to the problem of the fast fashion sites from Japan’s neighbor abusing the de minimis and flooding the world with plastic trash. 

I’m not sure how it would go with used items. 
 

[nick682]

9 hours ago, rockon99 said:

Jumping in here as well as I’ve been searching for more info on the De Minimus exception ending here in the states. 
 

Are there any workarounds or sneaky methods to avoid this? I’ve been shopping the auctions and things; From Japan, others, etc… it’s been so hassle free (knock on wood), and now I’m worried this may seal its fate as ruined for most of us here in the US. 

The sneaky trick used to be requesting the seller mark your item(s) as a “gift.” Oh, simpler times. 

I've heard Blackship may be a good option. You can declare any value with them and they can also repackage/remove tags. I made an account but have yet to use it. I'll probably give it a little bit of time to see what actually happens - because we know this shit could totally change any minute.

[julian-wolf]

I’m not happy about the tariffs, for any number of reasons—but the yen is more than 15% weaker now, relative to the dollar, than it was when I first started buying most of my clothes from Yahoo + Mercari. I felt like I was getting a great deal, then, and I’m pretty sure I’ll still feel like I’m getting a great deal if I have to start paying 15% more again now. We’ve been spoiled for the last few years. I’m maybe less likely to buy new clothes at full MSRP, but I already didn’t do a ton of that.

I mostly just wish the extra tax was going to a decent cause.

[gmn]

Anyone have experience repairing button holes? What's my best option? Two different tailors i've talked to have said $20/button hole because it has to be hand sewn.

I have two pairs of Freewheelers (1947 pictured, and also '51) where I'm getting the same issue—the black stitching surrounding the button hole cut starts to come undone. I'm worried if I don't reinforce it it will eventually be fraying through the denim itself. 

[Double 0 Soul]

If you're not skilled with a needle and thread.. i'd get the top buttons done at the tailor, these take most of the strain, you don't want them to fray any further and become too loose.. then i'd just repair the button holes on the fly myself, it's a simple enough job.

Edited August 16, 2025 by Double 0 Soul

[CSL]

I never learned the proper way to sew buttonholes by hand but it's easy enough to loop stitch enough upholstery (heavy duty) thread around the hole to secure it for the foreseeable future. 

[ATWM]

$20 is worth it unless you love hand stitching and don’t mind some first time sloppiness. 

[indigoeagle]

Has anyone used the Blackship proxy service yet?
(Just saw: "From the creators of Japan Rabbit.")

Edited August 16, 2025 by indigoeagle

[efujobu1]

Thanks  @indigoeaglefor the lead on the TCB late 40s jacket. I apparently need a size 42 which I can’t find. 😭 

if anyone has a lead, it’s appreciated.  I prefer buying from a Japanese store and avoid the markup.   Thanks!

[indigoeagle]

34 minutes ago, efujobu1 said:

Thanks  @indigoeaglefor the lead on the TCB late 40s jacket. I apparently need a size 42 which I can’t find. 😭 

if anyone has a lead, it’s appreciated.  I prefer buying from a Japanese store and avoid the markup.   Thanks!

Alright.

You know, that they fit small, right?
At least for the 20s jacket my 48 fits more like a 44.

[efujobu1]

3 hours ago, indigoeagle said:

Alright.

You know, that they fit small, right?
At least for the 20s jacket my 48 fits more like a 44.

I was looking at the sizing on the TCB website and also asked Ryo and he recommended a size 42 based on my height weight.  I’m 5 ft 9 about 164 lbs. 

I have a 30s jacket which is definitely small on me lol

[space_cowboy]

Anyone have any experience with Toyo Enterprise's 'Gold' label? I was browsing Toyo's website and came across it -- never heard of it before, but am intrigued...

[Double 0 Soul]

Not directly but i've posted about them once or twice over the years

 

[indigoeagle]

4 hours ago, space_cowboy said:

Anyone have any experience with Toyo Enterprise's 'Gold' label? I was browsing Toyo's website and came across it -- never heard of it before, but am intrigued...

My impression is, that while SC and BR are more work wear military repro, Gold is a less constrictred brand, perhaps a bit more fashion and artsy. Perhaps what Made&Crafted was with Levis Vintage.
I think, they're also on a bit higher price level.

[julian-wolf]

It seems like they went through a pretty significant rebranding around 3–5 years ago, from more general (non-repro) workwear to more modern streetwear / workwear, with wider cuts / sleeker details / a pretty big price increase

I’ve been tempted to try them out a few times

[space_cowboy]

Tempted myself! Also appears to sell out very quickly...

[Mtvare]

Can anyone comment on the sizing of Eastman t-shirts?

https://www.eastmanleather.com/tees/288-12654-us-navy-plain.html#/278-garment_size-44

[Double 0 Soul]

Sufu is slow af for me today and i'm not talking about the post count, i thought it was an issue with the broadband at work but it's the same here at home..

Speed check is fine

.. but the site is taking an age to refresh, even uploading that^ 38kb screenshot took over 30seconds.

Same for anyone else?