Dickies, "FIT YOU, FIT YOUR JOB"

The act of working with one’s hands to create something is noble.

It’s not just about thinking with your head, but thinking by moving your hands. In fact, there are things you only come to understand once you start working with your hands.

Handwork.

Lately, I’ve felt like there’s a hint to something here, so I’ve been reading various books related to "Mingei" (folk crafts) and visiting exhibitions whenever I stop by Tokyo; handwork is truly one of the core concepts of that philosophy.

The "Mingei: Beauty is in Daily Life" exhibition (now closed) that I visited at the Setagaya Art Museum the other day was wonderful, but the "Out of Mingei" exhibition happening concurrently at the Carrot Tower in Sangenjaya was also truly excellent.

This one is open until 8/25, so I highly recommend stopping by if you’re interested. While Sōetsu Yanagi (the founder of the Mingei movement) focused on collecting so-called "objects" to build his philosophy, this exhibition explores the people around him at the time who approached the very "act of making," unraveling their actions and relationships.

In this exhibition, I was personally intrigued by those who emphasized the process of making things by ordinary people, such as Kenkichi Tomimoto’s folk art, Kanae Yamamoto’s peasant art movement, and Wajiro Kon’s plebeian crafts.

To borrow the words of William Morris (the founder of the British Arts and Crafts movement), this is the idea that the very act of "efforts made by people who have always tried to make the things they are familiar with in their daily lives, even a little bit, more beautiful" is what is wonderful.

We love things made by hand, and we are grateful that such workshops still exist in Japan and are close by.

SimWorks’ Doppo frames are made at SHIN Hattori Seisakusho in Oguchi, Aichi Prefecture. They are made just 30 minutes away from Circles by car.

Things made while sweating in the hot season or rubbing cold fingertips in the winter—those things are undoubtedly noble.

Mako-san, a mechanic at Circles (the person featured in all these photos), has been handling a portion of the manufacturing process at Hattori Seisakusho three days a week lately.

The workshop is kept orderly, but it is a place covered in various machine tools, equipment, oil, and iron filings (and sometimes dog hair)—a place that gets dirty no matter how careful you are.

In such a workplace, Dickies apparel is a staple.

It’s a bit late, but we’ve commissioned a bespoke summer item from Dickies.

Using their signature T/C (polyester/cotton blend) fabric, which is stain-resistant and quick-drying, we’ve finished them in an authentic design that’s great for work, but also spec’d to be perfect for riding bikes.

#42283 Bike Shorts

These are shorts based on the classic #42283, arranged the "Circles way." While we kept the silhouette, length, and fit of the 42283, we scrutinized the patterns and specifications down to the millimeter to make them perfect for cycling.

The fabric is Dickies’ usual 8.5oz stuff. It doesn’t stick to the skin and has a dry touch that’s great for summer.

The pattern is hard to understand without wearing them, so I’d like to talk about the specifications.

We reinforced the hip area, which is already sturdy T/C fabric, with a double-knee (double-hip) design. This protects the area that rubs against the saddle (and it really works well).

We also modified the side pockets. The current version is shallow and hard to use, so we made them a bit deeper to fit a smartphone.

The length hits right around the knee when standing, but it’s a nice length that doesn’t get in the way when sitting or pedaling.

As a bonus, a carabiner with the Circles logo is included.

I think they’re great for riding bikes, and of course, for skating too.

	Waist	Hip	Hem	Rise	Inseam	Thigh
S (28inch)	76cm	98cm	30.5cm	25cm	31cm	35.2cm
M (30inch)	81cm	103cm	31.5cm	26cm	32cm	36.2cm
L (32inch)	86cm	108cm	32.5cm	27cm	33cm	37.2cm
XL (34inch)	91cm	113cm	33.5cm	28cm	34cm	38.2cm

Half Zip Bike Worker Shirts

These are the Half Zip Bike Worker Shirts, made with a thinner fabric for shirts compared to the pants. Because it’s a light fabric, it dries faster than the pants, and it’s a stress-free work shirt with a natural stretch.

The front features a half-zip to stay out of the way during quick tasks, but can be opened to ensure minimal ventilation.

The back hem is designed to be longer than the front, which feels great even when you’re leaning forward. The hem can be tightened with a drawcord.

We placed an iconic reflector on the back for peace of mind during night rides. It also features a bicycle jersey-style back pocket, so you can head out hands-free for small items.

This is a great shirt for both riding and working. I want to wear it with a short-sleeved T-shirt underneath in the summer, and with a long-sleeved T-shirt or thermal underneath in the fall and winter (this combo is guaranteed to look cool).

	Length	Shoulder	Width	Hem	Sleeve	Sleeve Width
S	71cm	46cm	61.6cm	62cm	25.5cm	23.6cm
M	72cm	48cm	63.6cm	64cm	26.5cm	24.6cm
L	73cm	50cm	65.6cm	66cm	27.5cm	25.6cm
XL	74cm	52cm	67.6cm	68cm	29cm	27cm

In the end, this is the kind of clothing that matches our style. It’s an old-timer’s hobby, but as long as I have Dickies, Patagonia, fatigue pants, flannel shirts, and some smart-looking T-shirts, I’m good.

The frame-build team is in full swing for the upcoming MADE SHOW, so look forward to August!

By the way, the title of this entry, "FIT YOU, FIT YOUR JOB," comes from a 1954 Dickies ad. I truly believe we’ve made something that lives up to the title.