Blog — Black Bear Brand

Posts in Style & Heritage

Japan and Fashion: How a Nation Fell for Americana — and Made It Better

Some of the most American clothing in the world is now made in Japan — and made better. The Ametora story, the mills of Okayama, and Black Bear Brand's decade-long love affair with the country that saved American style.

Culture, Craft & Materials, Craft, Denim, Japan, Japan & Culture, Style & HeritageJosh SirlinJuly 2, 2026Japan, japan american fashion, ametora, japanese denim history, okayama denim, japanese selvedge, how japan saved american style, japanese craftsmanship, black bear brand japanComment

Women and Corduroy: The Vintage Rose Boy Friend Cords Have Arrived

Corduroy is woven into Black Bear Brand's history — and now it arrives in a women's cut for the first time. Meet the Vintage Rose Boy Friend Cords: 8.4oz washed cord, made in Japan, faded and aged to perfection.

Women's, Fabric Guide, Style & HeritageJosh SirlinJuly 2, 2026women's corduroy pants, vintage rose corduroy, boyfriend corduroy, corduroy history, women's cords, black bear brand woman, made in japan corduroy, black bear brand corduroy, Women's, Fabric Guide, HeritageComment

The Jean Jacket: A Complete American History (Type I, II & III)

From the 1880s riveted blouse to the Type III Trucker. The complete story of America's denim jacket, and the one I spent years perfecting.

Style & HeritageJosh SirlinJuly 1, 2026jean jacket, denim jacket, trucker jacket, Type I II III, Levi's, selvedge, Black Bear BrandComment

The Pearl Snap Shirt: How a Cowboy Detail Became an American Icon

Snaps that rip free when a cowboy's snagged, sawtooth pockets, pointed yokes. The story of the western shirt, and how I carry it into horsehide.

Style & HeritageJosh SirlinJuly 1, 2026pearl snap shirt, western shirt, Rockmount, Jack Weil, cowboy, Americana, Black Bear BrandComment

American Men's Luxury: What It Means Now

Logos are out; provenance is in. Here's what luxury means for American menswear now, and how I try to build it.

Style & HeritageJosh SirlinJune 30, 2026American luxury, men's luxury, quiet luxury, craftsmanship, made in USA, Horween, Black Bear BrandComment

How 1990s American Streetwear Rewrote the Rule

Skate decks, surf logos, hip-hop, and the hype drop. I came up in this world, so here's how the '90s changed how America gets dressed.

Style & HeritageJosh SirlinJune 30, 2026streetwear, 90s fashion, Stussy, Supreme, skate culture, hip-hop fashion, menswear history, Black Bear BrandComment

What Is Style, Really? (It Isn't Fashion)

Fashion is what's sold to you. Style is what's left when the trend dies. Here's how I think about the difference.

Style & HeritageJosh SirlinJune 30, 2026what is style, personal style, menswear, fashion vs style, quiet luxury, Black Bear BrandComment

A True History of American Denim (and Why It Still Matters)

I've spent a decade obsessed with getting denim right. Here's the real story of America's most democratic fabric, and where the craft lives now.

Style & HeritageJosh SirlinJune 28, 2026denim history, American denim, Levi Strauss, selvedge denim, Okayama, raw denim, workwear, Black Bear BrandComment