Cottle Clothing

COTTLE: Weaving Time, Spirit, and Denim in Kojima

In the heart of Kojima, Okayama—a town steeped in textile tradition—COTTLE emerges as a beacon of artisanal craftsmanship. Founded in 2015 by Toshiaki and Yukari Watanabe, the brand operates from a meticulously renovated 130-year-old textile factory, embodying a philosophy that intertwines heritage with innovation .

Philosophy: Cottle Clothing is Crafting the 'Uniform for Living'

COTTLE's ethos revolves around creating garments that transcend mere fashion, aiming instead to produce pieces that resonate with daily life and personal identity. This "Uniform for Living" concept emphasizes the beauty found in utility, drawing inspiration from the Japanese principle of "yō no bi"—the beauty of practical objects.

The Watanabes' commitment to this philosophy is evident in their hands-on approach: from conceptualization to production, every step is executed with meticulous care. Their small team ensures that each garment is not only aesthetically pleasing but also imbued with a sense of purpose and longevity.

Cottle Natural Organic Sunset Cotton Yak Pile Fleece Jacket Beige

Japanese culture and aesthetics are tangible in the simple yet stunning Cottle fleece jacket made from natural materials. The design was developed with dedication in the 120-year-old converted textile factory in Kojima, where Cottle has their workshop. Cottle proves that fleece can also be made with all natural dyed, h

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Cottle Natural Organic Sunset Cotton Pile Fleece Jacket Indigo

Japanese culture and aesthetics are tangible in the simple yet stunning Cottle fleece jacket made from natural materials. The design was developed with dedication in the 120-year-old converted textile factory in Kojima, where Cottle has the workshop. Cottle proves that a fleece can also be made with all-natural dyed, h

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Cottle T-Shirt Front Pocket Saburoku

Heavy weight oversized crew neck pocket T-Shirt. Maximum comfort 100% natural cotton botanical dyed Chest pocket Made in Japan size 2 = medium size 3 = large size 4 = x large size 5 = xx large

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COTTLE's dedication to natural materials is unwavering. They utilize organic cotton, linen, hemp, and silk, often blending these fibers to achieve unique textures and durability. Their fabrics are developed through collaborations with local artisans, ensuring that each textile tells its own story.

Dyeing techniques are equally thoughtful. Employing natural dyes such as persimmon tannin (kakishibu), sumi ink, and indigo, COTTLE achieves hues that are both vibrant and harmonious with nature. Even the threads are dyed using iron oxide, a specialty of a small village in Okayama, reinforcing the brand's commitment to regional craftsmanship.

COTTLE's designs are a harmonious blend of traditional Japanese aesthetics and contemporary silhouettes. Their pieces, such as the C.T.L. Neo Type 2nd Denim Jacket and the Bengara Straight Denim Pants, showcase this fusion. The use of Bengara (Indian red) dye pays homage to ancient Japanese techniques, while the modern cuts ensure relevance in today's fashion landscape.

Each garment is a testament to the brand's belief that clothing should age gracefully, acquiring character over time. This perspective aligns with the Japanese concept of "wabi-sabi," finding beauty in imperfection and transience.

Cottle Woven Blazer Jacket Kakishibu Silk/ Cotton Canvas

This casual blazer is made from silk and organic cotton. Color brown:Dyed with Kakishibu which is made by fermenting persimmon juice, according to an ancient method. By washing with iron, the color changes to blackish. The surface is rough and hard, with each wear the material adapts to the body and with every wash it

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Cottle C.T.I Comfort Denim Shirt

Crafted in Japan from an original 8oz cotton-linen denim blend with fine hemp fibers, this relaxed shirt combines natural stretch with structured resilience. Custom copper pearl buttons—designed to develop a rich patina like antique tea canisters—complement the UJ Core Yarn stitching that ages gracefully with wear. Fit

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Cottle C.T.L Hand Crafted Denim Patchwork Jeans

These pants are crafted from a unique blend of 14oz cotton and linen, woven using a W-width rapier loom. Featuring Bizen No.1 Fukuro cloth and obi lining cloth, the pants exhibit fine detailing, including pewter buttons engraved with “COTTLE.” The blend of cotton nep material and linen thread gives the fabric a rough t

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For COTTLE, sustainability isn't a trend—it's an intrinsic value. By focusing on natural materials, local production, and timeless design, the brand ensures that its environmental footprint is minimal. Their approach is holistic, considering not just the end product but the entire lifecycle of each garment.

COTTLE stands as a paragon of how fashion can honor tradition while embracing the future. Through their meticulous craftsmanship, dedication to natural materials, and profound respect for cultural heritage, they offer more than clothing—they provide a narrative woven into every stitch.

Cottle Work Itto Unsai Town Jacket

Handmade vintage style Work jacket dyed by natural indigo. This jacket is made from cotton and hemp for maximum comfort. The special buffalo horn buttons make it even more unique. One of the buttons is gold plated using a technique called “Kintsugi” to repair pottery and other items. This overshirt is made slightly ove

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Cottle Ghurka Corduroy Easy Pants

These Organic Cotton Pants are crafted with a thoughtful blend of high-quality materials and traditional dyeing techniques. Made with 100% organic cotton, offering both comfort and durability. The pants are detailed with buffalo buttons, enhanced with a gold-plated finish, and an elastic waistband for added flexibility

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Cottle Sashiko Shark Collar Shirt

Batik inspired pure Indigo dyed overshirt made from all cotton in a very soft feel. Made from traditional cotton called bingo-bushi fabric. Mother of pearl buttons closure with one «kintsugi» button, a technique which is used to repair ceramics and other items. As more you wear it, as nicer the color will look. It’s a

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Cottle Dear Denim Utility Pant

Crafted in Japan from COTTLE’s signature 8oz linen-cotton denim (16% linen/84% organic cotton), these relaxed cargo pants combine the durability of denim with hemp’s natural elasticity. The waist features a hidden 5cm rubberized stretch panel for comfort, while UJ Core Yarn stitching ensures age-worthy construction. Fi

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For those seeking garments that resonate with depth, authenticity, and timeless elegance, COTTLE invites you to don a "Uniform for Living" that transcends fashion, embodying a lifestyle steeped in meaning and artistry.

Explore more about COTTLE and their collections on their official website.

Finding Cottle Clothing in the USA

After being fairly misty in the U.S. since launching in 2016, Cottle is starting to become more readily available as specialty menswear shops get hip to its Jedi-Esque virtues of power, grace, and propensity to deflect any and all negative energy.

And while the actual bulletproofness of the garments shouldn't be tested, the timeproofness of their fits and designs beckons you to make this your uniform for living, indeed.

I first encountered this delightful brand at the wonderful early adopter 180 The Store out of New York City, and another shoutout should be made to Denimio— the online denim powerhouse was another early adopter of Cottle. But now that Mr. Porter has managed to get their hands on Cottle and it's been featured by the green-beret-level-recon-skills of Blackbird Spyplane, you can definitely expect more peeps like us to discover this ascendant brand.

Additional portals to the joys of Cottle are everybody's favorite Canoe Club out of Boulder and, for the women, Santa Fe Dry Goods. And of course, their own website is getting tagged with traffic lately, since you can buy it all directly from the source.