All About The Real McCoy's

All ABout The Real Mccoy's


In the world of The Real McCoy's, there are two distinct groups: those who have yet to experience it, and those who, to put it simply, are obsessed. This theme of obsession becomes evident upon even the slightest delve beneath the surface of The Real McCoy’s, particularly when considering the man behind the brand, Mr. Hitoshi Tsujimoto. 

An avid vintage collector since the age of 18, Hitoshi embarked on a journey across the United States during his late teens and twenties, scouring for vintage American-made clothing to bring back to Japan for sale or to add to his personal collection. As time progressed, Hitoshi established his own brick-and-mortar stores under the name NYLON and earned himself an almost mythical reputation for his collecting prowess—a legacy that persists to this day.

Hitoshi Tsujimoto's passion for vintage transcends mere clothing. His eclectic collection, housed in a warehouse in Kobe, Japan, stands as a testament to his discerning taste and captivates enthusiasts worldwide. From vintage Leica cameras to Hermes bags, each item reflects Hitoshi's keen eye for superior quality and craftsmanship. This sharp eye and passion was something Hitoshi would take forward in the creation of his own brand.

Recognizing the demand for authentic American clothing in Japan, Hitoshi founded The Real McCoy’s in the early 2000s with a clear aim of reproducing original American clothing to exacting standards. The innovative styles of 1940s and 1950s America inspired the brand, and Hitoshi wanted to offer ‘the best from the past’.

Hitosohi’s vintage collection is now situated within the same space as The Real McCoy's headquarters and adds another layer of intrigue to the brand's mystique. It's not merely about the clothing; it's a lifestyle curated by a man with an obsession for authenticity and heritage. 

Indeed, delving into the world of The Real McCoy's is akin to embarking on a journey of discovery, where each piece tells a story, and each detail is a testament to Hitoshi Tsujimoto's unwavering dedication to perfectly replicating iconic pieces from the past. For those who have yet to experience it, The Real McCoy's offers an invitation into a realm where obsession becomes the norm, and authenticity reigns supreme.

Under Tsujimoto's leadership, The Real McCoy's has become synonymous with excellence in reproduction clothing. His passion for authenticity and painstaking attention to detail has garnered the brand a dedicated following worldwide, attracting enthusiasts who appreciate the brand's commitment to making perfect replicas of coveted vintage garments. 

One of the most unique attributes, and a further testament to Hitoshi’s unwavering pursuit of quality, is that around 70% of The Real McCoy’s products are now made entirely in house, using the brand’s own workforce and the same methods and machinery from the past. Not only have the brand studied the processes of the past in detail, they have mimicked these practices whilst crafting their garments to achieve an unparalleled level of authenticity. 

This also includes using fabric tailored specifically for the brand and each individual product; as much as 80% of the fabrics used by The Real McCoy’s are completely exclusive and custom-made especially for the brand and each item after meticulous study of the original garments. While this might seem standard - or even necessary - to anyone that works in the clothing industry, it’s truly impressive. 

Additionally, hardware such as zips, buttons, and even the thread used to sew the garments together are either vintage or custom-made to ensure they remain period-correct. This level of detail is exceedingly rare in the clothing industry due to the high minimum orders required.

This unwavering attention to detail and Tsujimoto's influence now extend far beyond The Real McCoy's, as he has played a significant role in shaping the landscape of Japanese heritage fashion. His dedication to quality and authenticity continues to drive the brand's success, cementing its reputation as a leader in the field of vintage-inspired clothing and setting the standard for many other brands to follow. 

The brand is now a family operation, with Hitoshi’s son Kento playing a pivotal role in expanding their catalog and modernizing the brand in the necessary places such as operations and international wholesale. 

At present there are three sub-brands under The Real McCoy’s umbrella, although there have been others in the past. The Real McCoy’s mainline is dedicated to reproducing iconic military styles from throughout the 20th century, while Joe McCoy focuses on civilian wear spanning from the 1950s to the 1980s. This includes outdoor clothing, sportswear, hunting and workwear styles, among others. 

Hitoshi also acquired and revitalized the Buco motorcycle brand. Founded in 1933 as 'Joseph Buegeleisen Co', Buco was a renowned leather jacket manufacturer. Its leather motorcycle jackets from the 1940s and 1950s are considered some of the most iconic ever made.

Canoe Club’s inaugural collection presents a small but concise selection of heavy hitters from each sub-brand, providing enough variety to showcase The Real McCoy’s expertise and range. 

From The Real McCoy’s mainline comes the alpaca-lined N-1 deck jacket—arguably one of their most coveted pieces of outerwear. The style has undergone numerous iterations, the result of obsessively studying and researching Hitoshi’s vintage examples from throughout the 1940s. Additionally, there are US Navy and Army watch caps to complete the look. 

Moving on a decade, and to the Joe McCoy sportswear label, a selection of heavyweight jersey pieces awaits, drawing inspiration from 1950s styles. One of the brand’s most revered categories, many see a sweatshirt from The Real McCoy's as a gateway into the brand's world of authenticity and heritage. Crafted in Wakayama, these heavyweight styles are made using Sinker Weave Machines, producing a much denser fabric compared to those made using older loopwheel machines. Available in both sweatshirt and hoodie styles, these 14 oz 100% cotton pieces are built to last much longer - and wear much better - than your average cotton sweatshirt.

Of course, since this is Canoe Club we’re talking about, the collection would be incomplete without some counter-culture and punk reference pieces. The most notable among these is the Joe McCoy Mohair Cardigan—a reproduction of the one worn by Kurt Cobain during his iconic MTV Unplugged performance in 1993. This is accompanied by a black overdyed tote bag, a denim sawtooth western shirt, a pair of five-pocket corduroy trousers, and some small accessories to complete the ensemble. 

Additionally, from the Buco brand there is a striped racing jersey that will pair excellently with your most worn pair of jeans and Visvim boots. 

All in all, this collection perfectly encapsulates the ethos of The Real McCoy’s: a range of timeless quality pieces that blend American history with Japanese craftsmanship. These garments are made to be worn, cherished, and passed down like true vintage originals—or, as they say, the real McCoy.

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