Hello everyone.
This is Ishikawa from Circles Tokyo.
I used to work for an apparel brand, so I spent a lot of money on clothes every day.
As I picked out all kinds of clothes, I went through a period of getting tired of chasing trends and feeling like something was missing because every select shop made and stocked similar items.
It was around then, while browsing clothing stores as usual with a senior colleague, that I discovered SUPERMARKET.
Tucked away in a backstreet in Yutenji, this local shop blends into the residential neighborhood, yet its exterior gives you the feeling that there must be something interesting inside. I still remember how excited I was.
There are a few shops that other clothing stores go to for clothes, and this is definitely one of them.
The compact interior is lined with distinctive clothes and goods, and before you know it, you’ve bought something, drawn in by the selection you won’t find anywhere else. That’s the kind of shop it is.
Easygoing and effortless to use, yet high-quality and reasonably priced.
It’s full of what you might call “just-right pieces” for everyday life.
So when items from SUPERMARKET’s private brand, RELAXFIT, made in collaboration with Circles, arrived, there was no way I wasn’t excited.
(Personally, I’ve been using a RELAXFIT wallet for the past few years, and it really is a masterpiece. I wonder how many years I’ve had it now… I can’t imagine using anything else. We didn’t stock it this time, though.)
So, what exactly is RELAXFIT…
RELAXFIT is the private brand (PB) of SUPERMARKET in Yutenji.
It started from a love of typically rough-and-ready American products, like American bodywear manufacturers’ basics and military gear. We believed mass-produced goods sold cheaply in large quantities could be great, and that’s what inspired us to launch the brand.
We think of these as industrial products, and, inspired by the ideas of Naoto Fukasawa, known for his work with MUJI and other brands, we came up with the theme: “MUJI made by Americans.”When making our products, we keep the specs to a minimum. Thanks to the fabric suppliers and pattern makers we work with, as well as the sewing factories who’ve been accommodating our requests for years, I think we’re able to achieve a quality and price that make them look like more than they cost.
Thanks to you, our [Better Quality Better Price] slogan has become a reality. Since we originally started out as a vintage clothing shop, we choose current American-made new goods based on whether they might become desirable vintage finds or deadstock (GOODSTOCK) 20 years from now.
From SUPERMARKET’s brand description.
We make RELAXFIT products hoping they’ll turn out the same way.
We’d like to keep making, at our own pace, things that feel familiar but are hard to find—plain-body basics and military items that we ourselves can afford. We hope to keep running SUPERMARKET, tucked away in a Yutenji backstreet, so we can continue doing just that. Thank you for your continued support.
The items we made with SUPERMARKET this time are T-shirts and a bag.
Stitch T-shirt “CIRCLES” “KEIRIN” Made for Circles Tokyo
First up, the T-shirts.
For our previous collaboration with the Circles Nagoya shop, we went with a “FIXED” logo, but
this time we’ve got two designs, with “CIRCLES” and “KEIRIN” logos.
The “CIRCLES” logo is great, but the “KEIRIN” logo is awesome too.
“KEIRIN” originated in Japan.
It’s understood all over the world, so you can wear it with pride.
The logos are embroidered in a stitch pattern made one by one by Niji, the manager of SUPERMARKET in Yutenji.
The care that goes into the process is part of the appeal.
I also love how the thread ends are deliberately left dangling.
It’s the kind of playful detail you can only get with hand stitching.
I love how they create items with this kind of playful, laid-back feel.
The body is 100% cotton GILDAN. You can’t go wrong.
I want to wear it until it’s completely broken in and worn out.
It might look even better once it’s all soft and faded.
Price: ¥6,600 (tax included)
Size: M–XL
Staff model wears size L (height: 174 cm)
EasyBag made For Circles Tokyo
Next up is this bag, which sold out immediately in Nagoya last time.
I wanted to buy one last year, but they were already gone, so I’m getting one this year.
A drawstring-style sacoche.
Sacoches in this size are surprisingly hard to find, and it’s really useful.
The Circles print goes great with its nice, rustic feel.
The top folds over, so it keeps its shape even when you’re not carrying much,
and it can handle extra items if you happen to do some shopping.
In terms of capacity, it holds around 2.4 to 2.8 liters.
It’s also big enough to fit a laptop, which is a nice bonus!
It comes in two colors: brown and beige.
Made from lightweight nylon, it’s great for rides and everyday use, and having one as an extra bag for travel is really handy too.
It’d be great for festivals this season, too.
Whether you ride a bike or not, it’s the kind of bag you’ll find yourself reaching for all the time because it’s just so handy.
For a quick trip to the supermarket. To the bathhouse. For a little outing while traveling.
It’s one of those things that’s definitely useful to have in your everyday life.
Price: ¥6,050 (tax included)
I’m thrilled to be able to collaborate like this with a shop I personally love. Come see these “just-right pieces”—handy to have in your everyday life and easy to use without worrying about them—in person at our store.
They’re sure to become regulars in your wardrobe!
Laid-back pieces like these feel so right for the moment!
Let’s take it easy!
The items featured here are available exclusively at Circles Tokyo. Don’t miss this chance!