15 Brands We All Wish Were More Widely Available in the U.S.

For those intrepid fashion explorers, discovering the holy grail garment will likely lead you well beyond the borders of these 50 states. There's an endless well of emerging and established fashion talent abroad, but not all of that heat is easily or readily accessible here in the U.S.

In today's age, having a webshop is more than enough to allow you to flourish in the international market, but no one can deny the feeling of experiencing a brand in person; trying on the clothing, feeling it with your own hands—all without the need to wait for your latest order to ship in from overseas. It's not that every designer on this list is impossible to obtain; some have support from major retailers like Dover Street Market and Opening Ceremony.

However, just being located in a few stores in major cities doesn't necessarily make a label easy to find. Often, brick-and-mortars and webshops alike offer product on a rotating basis, and when a designer releases clothing to a small market, creates a limited run, or simply just isn't well known, the clothes are difficult to cop—no matter where and how they're sold. Remember, just because a shop did carry a designer, it doesn't mean they have stock for sale right this minute, and just searching several of these designers online will lead to empty shop pages with nothing available for purchase.​

While these labels vary on their global representation, one thing is clear, we're definitely pining for an increase in their presence in this country. These are 15 Brands We All Wish Were More Widely Available in the U.S​.

Country of Origin: Japan

You've probably seen WTaps when shopping online at End Clothing or Haven, but unless you've been to Japan, you've probably never seen the goods in person. Sadly for fans of the military-inspired Japanese brand that comes from the mind of the legendary Tet, the best chances of getting garments from the label are at Union L.A. and The Darkside Initiative. So if you don't find yourself in L.A. or San Francisco, you're pretty much shit out of luck.

Country of Origin: England

Translating to “rotating transmission,” Tourne de Transmission uses rebellious youth and media critique as inspiration for its pioneering streetwear. With bold prints and strategic colorblocking, designer Graeme Gaughan wants guys to explore their clothing as they make the transition from youth to adulthood. The brand's fall/winter 2014 collection combines satellite images of sand storms and the Atlas Mountain range across garments with elongated hems, and reverse layering—it even threw in a solid lamb leather parka. It is surprising that hypebeasts haven't swarmed to this brand yet, and its cult status is likely why it's not widely accessible. You can cop on the brand's webshop if you're down with shopping on online, but the states won't have an outpost to cop TDT until the release of the spring/summer 2015 collection.

Country of Origin: Japan

Jun Takahashi's motorcycle-centered label has been around since the opening of Nowhere (with Nigo) in 1993, but truly took off in 2010 after the label showed at Paris Fashion Week. People who want access to Takahashi's genius don't need to go far in finding Undercover's ongoing “Gyakusou” collaboration, which creates contemporary running gear. Also, the brand has collaborated with every financially sensible and stylish guy's go-to shop, Uniqlo. But besides these easy finds, Undercover remains a tough line to see up close. It's not impossible to cop Undercover at popular e-retailers like End Clothing or SSENSE, but only a few brick-and-mortars carry the brand consistently, Dover Street Market and Opening Ceremony among them. But if you're unable to hit up these meccas consistently, then Undercover remains elusive.

Country of Origin: The Netherlands

Patta opened up its doors as an Amsterdam store in 2004, and immediately made the Dutch streetwear scene a major global contender. Focusing on footwear, the shop became as well known for its collaborations as its stock of excellent kicks. In fact, Patta's presence became so strong that a documentary was made about the business for its 10 year anniversary. After a short amount of time, it only made sense that the store would apply its sensibilities to seriously dope clothing that is frustratingly difficult to find. While you can cop Patta outside of its native Netherlands by browsing its online shop, it's very difficult to grab its gear outside of brief pop-ups in major cities. That's saying nothing about its extensive list of in-store collaborations and exclusives.

Country of Origin: Japan

Yes, this is North Face, but this isn't the preferred brand of your middle school years. The nanamica-designed, Japanese-based offshoot of the American outerwear company, North Face Purple Label is an upscale twist off a brand that's gained a reputation in the states for it's fleece zip-ups and '90s and '00s popularity. The only way to cop anything from this line is to either visit Japan or order from nanamica online, which is just depressing considering how easy it is to grab pieces from the less-coveted main line.

Country of Origin: Russia

One of Russia's biggest stars at the moment, Gosha Rubchinskiy has been creating skate-inspired streetwear since he started his eponymous label in 2008. After going on hiatus in 2010 and then recently returning after receiving financial backing from Rei Kawakubo and Comme des Garçons, Rubchinskiy has turned his humble line into a modern and luxurious streetwear label that's grabbed the attention of Dover Street Market and Opening Ceremony. While those retailers are globally recognized in their own right, Gosha is hard to come by without either visiting those stores in person (as is the case with DSM) or taking a chance on fit and ordering online.

Country of Origin: Japan

For those who don't know, Yaeca produces the type of clothing that makes Japanese guys look effortlessly cool at all hours of the day. While deceptively simple-appearing, anyone who is lucky enough to get their hands on items from the brand will attest that they instantly become daily necessities. Out since 2002, Inventory is probably your best bet on copping. Other than that, let us know if you plan on taking a trip to Shibuya so we can set up a proxy buy.

Country of Origin: England

If your mind's eye associates British sportswear with the “Chav” tracksuit stereotype and Guy Ritchie movies, then Cottweiler will shift your frame of reference to what lies beyond staid notions of the genre. With a stripped down aesthetic, the clothing may seem familiar, but the fabric choices are nothing short of next level. Tracksuits and zip-ups with Italian black memory taffeta and Thermore lining sit alongside overcoats and trousers with transparent-nylon membrane. Stockists stateside are minimal and intermittent—try VFiles in NYC and Wildstyle in L.A.—so trying to cop this gear in person is about as easy as getting a plane to England. If you happen upon some pieces collection, don't pass up on the opportunity on co-signing early a highly-dope brand that will snap necks.

Country of Origin: Japan

Beams is basically a complete lifestyle store. From home furnishings to closet staples, Beams has the entire set on lock. Unlike a lot of the brands on this list, Beams may be carried in a variety of online stores (which is still not nearly enough), but the most unfortunate thing about Beams Japan is that there no physical stores here in the states. Since the brand's first brick-and-mortar opened in Tokyo in 1976, the Beams brand has been a staple in the Japanese shopping set, combining the feel of a department store with the simplicity and modernity of your favorite boutiques. The men's line Beams+ (and its excellent storefront) provides Americana while modernizing the classics for the in-the-know men of Tokyo. Sure, you may have seen Beams+ available at webshop titans Mr. Porter and Unionmade, but the fact that you can't walk into a Beams brick-and-mortar in the U.S. is disappointing, to say the least.

Country of Origin: Belgium

One of Belgium's newest stars, Jan Jan Van Essche makes one collection per year—crafting more fire pieces in one collection than some designers do in two. Just by scoping the lookbook, it's easy to ascertain that Van Essche's loose layering pieces not only instill his handcrafted quality, but combine flowy knitwear with traditional Japanese silhouettes. You can can cop his pieces at Opening Ceremony but, like any limited once-a-year collection, it's a lot harder to score than just rolling through the storefront or cruising the e-shop—quality not quantity is the way Van Essche works. While we're aware of his practice to make one collection a year and appreciate the craft and philosophy, we're also selfishly wishing that it was an easier cop.

Country of Origin: Russia

Quite possibly Russia's best little-known secret, Forget Me Not is the project of designer Arthur Lomakin. If Fear of God LA made chunky knits, it'd look something like Forget Me Not. A mix of dark conceptual designs with a textile pool that includes wool, camel felt, mohair, and unrefined cotton, Lomakin's floor-length knits are an indication not only of his skills as a designer, but the Moscow-based environment that he calls home. Finding his work is difficult to say the least, and finding official information on the label is generally restricted to an image-focused Tumblr page and a bare-bones Facebook page. Major retailers need to scope this work out, and give Lomakin and Forget Me Not its due.

Country of Origin: France

The second brand helmed by David Obadia (the first being the wildly popular Brooklyn We Go Hard), Harmony is a completely new brand for fall/winter 2014. As anything with a Parisian aesthetic, the clothing is minimal and universally stylish; you can't go wrong when your color palette is a mix of vibrant grays, blacks, and blues. The men's and women's collections are filled with sportswear basics, bomber jackets, and tailoring. Considering that the label opened its first storefront just in time for last week's Paris Fashion Week, the brand hasn't had much of a chance to spread beyond the Paris city limits. However, with Obadia's track record of quality clothing and BWGH's current cult following, don't be surprised if that changes sooner rather than later. And we're rubbing our hands with glee and anticipation.

Country of Origin: France

Started in 2011, Monsieur Lacenaire takes its name from a 19th century Frenchman who was a poet, dandy, and high-society criminal. The brand's founder, Garance Broca, uses the label's namesake to inspire her garments—a mix of clothing that is chic and daring, but always comes through with a sense of humor. With a foundation in knitwear, Broca worked at luxury houses Balmain and Hermès before rolling out her own line, and the experience in the luxury world shines through. Her knit fabrics include Peruvian alpaca, Egyptian cotton, Italian merino wool, and even yak. The label's spring/summer 2015 presentation consisted of 20 models cycling around Paris in the same Monsieur Lacenaire varsity jacket. If you're looking to cop, the brand's site shows the label is well stocked in its native France and throughout Europe, but there's no store stateside that you can walk into and pick up the goods.

Country of Origin: Canada

Canada, and especially Toronto, is having a major moment; this isn't news to anyone who's been paying attention. One key brand that has contributed significantly to this new wave is NEEDS&WANTS, designed by Sean Brown. The brand first caught attention with its mixed media varsity jackets that incorporated color blocking via contrasting sleeves in suede and leather. The label continued to tweak classic garments with its fishtail flannels and shirting, and is definitely poised for big things.

NEEDS&WANTS is a brand that's not only justifiably hyped, but is really hard to get ahold of outside of the Great White North. While the jackets and shirting a essentially a must cop, distribution is a little on the small side, naturally owing to its recent beginnings. Technically, you can get the gear at Toronto's Nomad or the label's webshop—but the goods tend to sell out if your trigger finger isn't quick enough.

Country of Origin: Hong Kong

CLOT is a name you've likely seen attached to a collaboration in the last few years, with partners that include Disney, BWGH, Nike, The Hundreds, Club 75, Been Trill (want us to keep going?). While the brand does have it's own stores under the “Juice” moniker, the brick-and-mortar locations are exclusively in east Asia, and that makes us sad. While the sneakers the label is more widely known for are a little easier to obtain, the only U.S. store that carries the brand's goods is the Undefeated store in L.A.—and that's when it's in stock.