STAFF: Haru
instagram:haru_02018
Hello! It’s Haru, your resident fashion nerd!!
I had yesterday off, but I spent it in bed
battling a cold.
The flu has been going around lately, too,
so please take care of yourselves!
Changing the subject, there’s an item I’ve been
wanting more and more with each passing day.
Yesterday, as I was thinking about how to write
a blog post about it,
my desire for it grew even while I was feeling unwell—
I couldn't tell if it was the fever
or just genuine excitement.
That item is:
ssstein
-OVERSIZED PADDED
HOODY COAT(ST.1214)-
col.TAUPE 
col. BLACK
Man, is this item good!!
Since it's an ssstein piece, it goes without saying that the foundation is impeccable,
but what really makes me fall for it is how comfortable it is to wear.
It’s labeled as a "coat,"
but it’s unbelievably lightweight.
Materials like wool and leather have a unique vibe
and a sense of coolness about them,
but they can also be a bit heavy.
I bought a leather jacket for myself this year
and I really love it,
but I’m still not used to the weight, so I get a bit tired if I wear it for a long time.
However, this coat solves those typical winter outerwear problems,
and it’s not just light—it’s been refined into the perfect item, packed with the unique charm
that only ssstein can deliver!
It’s based on the PCU LEVEL 7 MONSTER PARKA,
part of the cold-weather gear (PCU) supplied exclusively to U.S. Special Forces,
but it has been reimagined by stripping away unnecessary details for daily life
and adjusting the sizing and silhouette.
A true MONSTER PARKA would be way too warm for the Japanese climate
to wear comfortably,
but by using a 60g synthetic padding that isn’t overstuffed,
it’s lightweight and versatile enough to be worn across multiple seasons.
It may not be as warm as down,
but its usability and the fact that you can enjoy it for a long season is a huge plus.
Also, while I initially mentioned that I was drawn to its lightness,
there are other points that really hit the mark for me.
Namely, the design and the texture.
It maintains the rugged base of a military item while balancing it perfectly with a modern interpretation and the "mode" aesthetic that ssstein is known for.
This is a piece that could only be proposed by "the ssstein of today"—a brand that has grown to appeal to a wide audience since its participation in Paris Fashion Week.
We’ve seen items based on the LEVEL 7 in the past during the stein era,
but they felt a lot more casual compared to this one.
This version, however, feels sophisticated and modern amidst its ruggedness; perhaps that very refinement is what creates such a mature look.
And the nylon isn’t some light, cheap material—it’s durable with a metallic luster and a sense of gravity that is a crucial factor in this item's appeal.
While the TAUPE and BLACK use the same material,
the look and impression change completely depending on the color.
By the way, TAUPE is my personal favorite!
I’ve been daydreaming about styling it with warm tones, just like the look I put together the other day, or pairing it with a sax blue shirt come springtime (lol).
For a more mature or chic look, I highly recommend throwing on the BLACK version!
There's not much left of the year.
Don't miss out on our current lineup, which has everything you need to turn this winter into the best season yet.
My Fashion Fool Diary EP.39
