Wind storms and rain. Fall has quite suddenly arrived and I find myself looking for a wardrobe change to compliment these muddy skies. Browsing through the October issue of Men’s Brand magazine, I found an interesting article on Blue Corn, a fairly well known denim manufacturer based in Japan. As I was about to visit their website, I somehow brought up a different URL and began checking out the website for Blue Way, another maker of Japanese denim, among other fashion products.

Blue Way is based out of Hiroshima, Japan and makes mostly bottom wear for men and women. They proudly display their Made in Nippon banner and their products cater exclusively to the Japanese domestic market.

Visiting their web store, these military inspired cargo pants really caught my eye. I like their cut and the pockets and zippers are nice details that would seem to offer great utility. Thankfully, the price is very reasonable, so maybe I’ll score a pair if I can get around to visiting one of their retail shops.

These denim cargo pants would look fit on street wandering hobos — although definitely not the Japanese variety — as those guys tend to dress (and live) better than most middle aged bachelors back home.

The distressed, paint splotched fabric, exaggerated pockets and frilly details aptly serve Japan’s current fascination for the hobo chic look. While the rest of the world debate the possible origins of this garment (a Kobe based micro-niche fashion boutique, or the dumpster behind the Salvation Army?) most Japanese would immediately recognize it as wearable art for their epicurean way of life.

The Japanese seem to love distressed and tattered clothing, and I think it’s because it is the exact opposite of what their strict and ancient culture would have them wear.

I’ve spent the occasional night at hobo camps in various Japanese cities, usually as a result of missing the last train home, and I can tell you, many of the homeless are finely groomed and decently dressed. They even have such amenities as electricity and satellite TV. So with this in mind, to think that a regular Hitoshi — not even a street camping bum — would purposely dress like a post-apocalyptic unemployed handyman is sort of tantamount to riding a Suzuki Skywave amidst a pack of Hell’s Angels. It’s this rebellious attitude that continues to be a driving force behind much of Japan’s youth and street fashion.

Have you ever attended someone’s wedding in a pair of cargo pants? Well now you can. Casanova creates stylish cargo pants with a slightly dressed up look. Zippers, buttons, studs and other details make their line of men’s wear stand out from the ordinary.

So the next time someone tells you to dress up for some asinine event, toss on an old Kool-Aid shirt and a pair of Casanova cargos. Then bust in the room with a giant ghettoblaster on your shoulders and start yelling something about cheeseburgers. It’s only a wedding. Or your job interview. After you’ve done your song and dance and returned to your car to find another dozen D-cell batteries, they’ll probably realize the genius that you are and book you for future shows.

When other people seem afraid, they’re only afraid of how much they love you!