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Brand History — Since 1927

History

Towncraft Brand Timeline

TOWNCRAFT's 100 years, traced through a timeline.
Not workwear, not military: how America's “clothes for everyday life” changed.

Towncraft が歩んだ100年を、年表で辿る。
労働着でもミリタリーでもない、アメリカの"生活着"の変遷。

Chapter 01

1902–1930s

Origins誕生Origins

1902

The first store, “The Golden Rule,” opens in Kemmerer, Wyoming. It becomes the forerunner of the American department store chain that would later give rise to TOWNCRAFT.

ワイオミング州ケマラーに最初の店舗「The Golden Rule」が開業。のちにTOWNCRAFTを生むアメリカの百貨店チェーンの原型となる。

1927

TOWNCRAFT is born. A line of menswear is launched.

Towncraft 誕生。メンズウェアのラインが立ち上がる。

1930s

The era of the Great Depression. Selling on being “affordable and durable,” TOWNCRAFT expands its sales in department stores across the United States. Work shirts and underwear are its mainstays.

大恐慌の時代。Towncraftは「手頃で丈夫」を武器に、全米の百貨店店舗で販売を拡大。ワークシャツ、アンダーウェアが主力。

An actual 1940s script tag. Only the brand name is woven in, in flowing script
c.1940s — Script tag. A design from the earliest period, in flowing scriptc.1940s——筆記体タグ。流麗なスクリプトによる最初期の意匠

Chapter 02

1945–1958

The Golden Age黄金期The Golden Age

Vintage ombre check open-collar shirt (gray × blue)
A vintage ombre check open-collar shirtヴィンテージのオンブレチェック開襟シャツ
Vintage ombre check open-collar shirt (brown × gray)
Ombre check, defined by its shaded gradation陰影のグラデーションが特徴のオンブレチェック

1945

World War II ends. Military materials and sewing techniques are adapted for civilian goods, and the TOWNCRAFT lineup expands as well.

第二次世界大戦終結。ミリタリーの素材・縫製技術が民生品に転用され、Towncraftのラインナップも拡充。

1950s

The golden age. The ombre check open-collar shirt is a runaway hit. Cotton-and-rayon shadow plaid becomes synonymous with TOWNCRAFT and settles in as everyday wear for families across the United States.

黄金期。オンブレチェックの開襟シャツが爆発的ヒット。コットン×レーヨン素材のシャドウプラッドがTowncraftの代名詞に。全米のファミリーの日常着として定着。

1958

Production of the signature ombre check shirts reaches its peak. The TOWNCRAFT brand is featured prominently in department store catalogs across the United States. → Ombre Shirt Guide

代表的なオンブレチェックシャツの生産がピークに。全米の百貨店カタログにTowncraftブランドが大きく掲載される。→ オンブレシャツの教科書

Cotton-and-rayon shadow plaid
becomes synonymous with TOWNCRAFT.

コットン×レーヨン素材のシャドウプラッドが
Towncraftの代名詞に。

Chapter 03

1960s–1990s

Transition転換期Transition

1960s

Ivy League and trad styles spread. With the rise of the button-down collar, demand for open-collar shirts declines. TOWNCRAFT's line, too, reaches a turning point.

Ivy League/トラッドスタイルの浸透。ボタンダウンカラーの台頭により開襟シャツの需要が減少。Towncraftもラインの転換期を迎える。

1970s

The rise of polyester. As cost-cutting and streamlining progress, the TOWNCRAFT brand's character gradually fades.

ポリエステル素材の台頭。コストダウンと効率化が進み、Towncraftブランドの個性は徐々に希薄化。

1980–90s

Following a change in overall brand strategy, the TOWNCRAFT name disappears from store shelves. Meanwhile, in Japan's vintage clothing market, a reappraisal of vintage TOWNCRAFT begins.

ゼネラルブランドのブランド戦略変更に伴い、Towncraftの名前は店頭から消える。一方、日本の古着市場ではヴィンテージTowncraftの再評価が始まる。

An actual 1960s–70s PENN-PREST tag. Red-based, with the PENN-PREST wording in a frame and a crown
c.1960s–70s — PENN-PREST tag. Red-based. The process name is framed, with a crown addedc.1960s–70s——PENN-PRESTタグ。赤基調。加工技術名を枠で囲い、王冠を添える
An actual 1980s blue tag, with the brand name and EST. 1927 in white serif lettering on a blue ground
c.1980s — Blue tag. A new design on a blue ground, with the wording “EST. 1927”c.1980s——青タグ。青地の新デザイン。「EST. 1927」の表記が入る

→ Dating TOWNCRAFT by Its Tags

→ タグで読む、TOWNCRAFTの年代

Chapter 04

2023–

Revival復刻Revival

2023

A reproduction project starts in Japan. Original pieces from the period are researched thoroughly, and work begins on re-creating the ombre check fabric.

日本で復刻プロジェクト始動。当時のオリジナルを徹底的にリサーチし、オンブレチェック生地の再現に着手。

2025

The first reproduction, the “Ombre Open-Collar Shirt,” is released. TOWNCRAFT is brought back to life for today.

復刻第1弾「Ombre Open-Collar Shirt」リリース。Towncraftが現代に蘇る。

Ombre check open-collar shirt from TOWNCRAFT's reproduction line (green)
An ombre check open-collar shirt from the reproduction line復刻ラインのオンブレチェック開襟シャツ

Read More · Ombre Guide

Go deeper into the golden age of the ombre check.
Its history, materials and how to spot genuine pieces, gathered in a single volume.

オンブレチェックの黄金期を、もっと深く。
歴史・素材・本物の見分け方を一冊にまとめました。

Read More · Derby Jacket

A short blouson with a rib-knit collar and cuffs: the derby jacket.
TOWNCRAFT's three styles, their materials and how to choose your size.

リブ編みの襟と袖口をもつ、丈の短いブルゾン。
TOWNCRAFT のダービージャケット3型と素材、サイズの選び方をまとめました。