Looking an awful lot like Converse’s beloved Jack Purcell, this collaboration between PF Flyers and J. Crew isn’t the freshest blast of air, but it’s still exciting because a big rubber toe cap and a double-walled outsole are pretty much always the right temperature. Formulated using an archival style sold exclusively in Japan, these Flyers, called The All Court, hope to fly off warehouse shelves starting February 15.

More looks in our gallery…

Japanese store Tomorrowland put together a lookbook full of spot on summer layering, the kind of images that make you hate winter with a vengeance. An interesting mix of silhouettes and proportions. Super wide trousers to make the most of that warm breeze are a particular favourite. If you prefer to keep things slim check out their suiting; traditional fabrics with a modern cut.

The store carries stellar labels such as Gaziano & Girling, Mackintosh, Adam Kimmel, Casely-Hayford and Mismo to name just a few. Even with such an incredible list to work from we still have to acknowledge their lookbook skills. Well done Tomorrowland, we want it all. Now.

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A sweatshirt cardigan is the perfect item for someone who either wears a lot of knitwear and wants to move into sweats, or a tentative sweats fan who’s looking to venture into the world of knitwear. Studio D’Artisan created this fine example for those who fit into either category. If you’ve mastered both worlds it’s just a great looking top with its shawl collar, loopwheel woven organic cotton and curved pockets. Made in Wakayama prefecture, Japan. Available at Blue in Green.

Ursus, part of the Bape kingdom, might not be our usual fare but this Spring/Summer 2012 collection deserves a look. A relatively new line, established in its early days by Tetsu Nishiyama of WTAPS fame, this is a version of ‘casual’ that really appeals. Of course, it’s got that whole Americana thing happening with bits of naval here and rockabilly there, but it’s all executed in a laid-back manner and with enough good, solid staples that it works perfectly.

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SOPHNET, we like the way you do your thing. Spring/Summer 2012, follow these guys and you won’t go far wrong. Double madras with a shirt and short combo, dyed and faded indigo blazers, plaid overlaid with polka dots, stripes big and small and a whole lots of chinos. A brand which happily encourages mix and match, everything designed to work well with everything else.

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Back again with this months collection, Workers and their fine repro inspired wares. The latest line includes; A polka dot Stifel inspired shirt complete with pocket watch hole. A hickory striped ‘Queen of the Road’ chore jacket a play on Lee’s ‘Boss of the Road’ perhaps. A seersucker blazer, also available in navy cotton. Casual, buckle back chinos and finally our favourite, a denim tote based on the front panel on a pair of Hercules dungarees (or overalls depending on which side of the pond you reside).  The kind of item that on paper sounds pretty dodgy but ends up being brilliant. Another fine lot from Workers.

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Coming soon, a joint optical effort between Kaneko and Silas. The Japanese eyewear manufacturer has been going strong since 1958, with new life breathed into the brand via some choice collaborations with the likes of Porter, SOPH, Nonnative and Uniform Experiment.

“For this collaboration Silas works with two of their classic frame styles, fitting perfectly with Silas’ new more mature brand direction…Kaneko has established a strong position as leader in the Japanese eyewear industry. The collaboration offers dedicated Silas fans a premium alternative to their everyday staple.”

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Japanese label Unused makes big shapes for Spring/Summer 2012. Keeping things baggy with a skater/hippy/90s hip hop feel (doo-rag spotted) and some standard Japanese hobo layering, the brand continue to do as they please. Inventive, playful and slightly controversial on some of those shoe choices, thank goodness for designers who aren’t afraid to push the limits.

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We love reviewing the small things, including pens and pencils. Like most things utilitarian, not all operate or function in the same manner. Pens, for instance vary in line width, ink flow, and overall feel. On a chance encounter we were introduced to Tara Jepson, a lover of the Japanese pens who kindly offered to review a whole slew of Japanese pens we received from Jetpens.com.

Here is Tara’s take on what makes a great pen as well as her favorites from the bunch.

Japan’s Eight Hundred Ships are offering up some classic copies of Men’s Club magazine. Issue’s from the 70s with thing for Ivy, you’ll recognise a lot of images from Teruyoshi Hayashida’s Take Ivy and those ever popular illustrations from Kazuo Hozumi of Ivy Illustrated fame (soon to be translated and re-released we hear). Cut out preppy outfits, a guide to carefully-careless hair and what look like blueprints of Columbia University, one of the finest Men’s magazines to grace newsagent shelves.