Brand profile
Soundman
Japanese label reworking 20th-century British and American workwear, military and tailoring into meticulously made "stylish low-tech clothes."
TokyoOrigin
MenswearFocus
Workwear / HeritageStyle
$$$Price
4 brands like Soundman like Engineered Garments, Beams Plus, Universal Works →
What to know about Soundman
An archive, redrawn in Japan
Chihiro Imai works from his own collection of vintage garments, catalogues and photo books, reworking 20th-century British and American tailoring, workwear, military and sportswear.
Named pieces do the work
The line is built around repeating styles like the Birmingham jacket, Marcy vest and Clarke pleated chino rather than seasonal novelty.
"Low-tech" means fabric and make
Garments are cut and sewn in Japan in sashiko, denim and other specialist cloths, which is where the mid-to-high price sits.
Looks from Soundman
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If you like Soundman
88% matchEngineered Garments
Japanese-designed archive workwear and military patterns
What changes: Looser, more deconstructed silhouettes and heavier US bias
85% matchBeams Plus
Same Tokyo vintage-archive lens, more Ivy-leaning
What changes: Broader collection, more preppy sportswear than tailoring
80% matchUniversal Works
British mid-century workwear in relaxed, softer cuts
What changes: Lower price, less obsessive vintage-detail fidelity
78% matchOliver Spencer
British workwear-meets-tailoring hybrid jackets
What changes: More tailoring-led and less military reference
Brand facts
Soundman is a Japanese menswear label founded by designer Chihiro Imai, who launched the brand's first collection for spring/summer 2000 after managing New Republic Japan. The name comes from British slang, where "sound" means cool. Imai reworks 20th-century British and American tailoring, workwear, military and sportswear into what the brand calls "stylish low-tech clothes," drawing on his archive of vintage garments, catalogues and photo books. Signatures include the Birmingham jacket, Marcy vest and Clarke pleated chino, cut and sewn in Japan from sashiko, denim and other specialist fabrics. Stocked by Clutch Cafe, HINOYA and DeeCee style.
- Founded
- 1999
- Origin
- Tokyo, Japan
- Price
- $$$
- Typical prices
- Jackets $335–$508 · Trousers $329–$342 · Shirts $264–$284
- Focus
- Menswear
- Styles
- Workwear / Heritage, Urban prep / Ivy