Unique Clothing

Episode:
10
Item:
DRY-EX

Unique clothing changes the rules.
And changing the rules changes our lives.
Here’s another story of a masterpiece
made by UNIQLO to this day.

See the styling
DRY-EX
DRY-EX

Absorbing sweat and quickly drying. That’s what makes the UNIQLO items labeled DRY-EX special, but to meet this standard, they need to follow certain rules: moisture droplets must be fully absorbed into the fabric in a matter of seconds*; and moisture content must be reduced to less than a few percentage points after one hour**. Fabrics must satisfy both of these criteria to qualify. That’s because DRY-EX isn’t a material; it’s the name of a standard. This framework can be applied not only to jersey knits like T-shirts and polo shirts, but to other everyday items like hoodies made from thin material.

Softness

(L to R)

DRY-EX T-Shirt 29.9
DRY-EX Polo Shirt 39.9
DRY-EX UV Protection Full Zip Hoodie 49.9

DRY-EX first came into being when UNIQLO brand ambassadors Shingo Kunieda and Kei Nishikori, who were helping us to make the clothing that they wore in tennis matches, asked if there was any way to elevate the existing standards. A decade later, the knitting machine pictured continues to be a major driver of innovation. These machines allow for garments to be made in one continuous process, just like innerwear and socks. This means the mesh and fabric layers of the T-shirts and polos can be knitted seamlessly. Yarn spun in the blue lower chamber is dispensed from the duct at the rear. This analog setup belies a product so advanced it would be fair to call these clothes wearable technology.

*As calculated by JIS L 1907 dripping method. 

** Diffusible residual moisture content. At a testing temperature 20°C and relative humidity 65%, 0.3 ml of water is dropped on the test piece and weighed at intervals. Diffusible residual moisture content (%) = water content (ml) at each time interval / water content (ml) just after drop x 100 (measured before and after washing). JIS L 1930 C4G standard for machine washing: 10x

(L to R)

DRY-EX T-Shirt 29.9
DRY-EX Polo Shirt 39.9
DRY-EX UV Protection Full Zip Hoodie 49.9

It’s more than quick-dry! Here’s why DRY-EX is so comfortable.

Structure

Structure

Let’s first explain how drying works in the fabrics used for T-shirts and polos. The knits of the interior and exterior are linked. The outside consists of irregular cross-sectional polyester fibers, the surface area of which is increased by minute grooves that elevate the evaporation rate. The inside consists of circular cross-sectional nylon fibers. Contacting the skin, these fibers wick away sweat. Swiftly transferring absorbed moisture to the surface fibers helps to prevent the fabric from sticking.

Mesh

Optimizing the density of the knit to make the most of each surface’s characteristics smooths out the pathway from absorption to transfer to dispersal to evaporation, yielding a material that keeps you crisp and dry even when you sweat. Adding mesh gives the fabric increased breathability, plus it’s engineered to speed evaporation. And to help against the summer heat, this season’s T-shirt has about 30% more mesh.

Mesh
Seamless

Seamless

Another amazing aspect of the knitting machine is that the use of mesh can be adjusted precisely. To maximize functionality, the fabric can vary by area, with mesh used in sweat-prone spots like the underarms and back while opting for a denser weave across the chest. This allows an item to be knit all in one piece, including any tapering at the sleeves and waistline, preventing the chafing or bulkiness caused by seams. Fine-tuning the knit gives the interior loft and a pique-like feel. It also helps to reduce transparency.

UV protection

UV protection

Though we’ve been talking about T-shirts and polos in terms of fabric, don’t forget that DRY-EX is a standard. Jackets have this incredible drying ability as well. The breathable and quick-drying DRY-EX hoodie is stretchy and has UV protection (UPF 50+*1), almost like a wearable parasol. It’ll even keep you comfortable under the summer sun.

*JIS L 1925 : 2019

Structure

Structure

Let’s first explain how drying works in the fabrics used for T-shirts and polos. The knits of the interior and exterior are linked. The outside consists of irregular cross-sectional polyester fibers, the surface area of which is increased by minute grooves that elevate the evaporation rate. The inside consists of circular cross-sectional nylon fibers. Contacting the skin, these fibers wick away sweat. Swiftly transferring absorbed moisture to the surface fibers helps to prevent the fabric from sticking.

Mesh

Mesh

Optimizing the density of the knit to make the most of each surface’s characteristics smooths out the pathway from absorption to transfer to dispersal to evaporation, yielding a material that keeps you crisp and dry even when you sweat. Adding mesh gives the fabric increased breathability, plus it’s engineered to speed evaporation. And to help against the summer heat, this season’s T-shirt has about 30% more mesh.

Seamless

Seamless

Another amazing aspect of the knitting machine is that the use of mesh can be adjusted precisely. To maximize functionality, the fabric can vary by area, with mesh used in sweat-prone spots like the underarms and back while opting for a denser weave across the chest. This allows an item to be knit all in one piece, including any tapering at the sleeves and waistline, preventing the chafing or bulkiness caused by seams. Fine-tuning the knit gives the interior loft and a pique-like feel. It also helps to reduce transparency.

UV protection

UV protection

Though we’ve been talking about T-shirts and polos in terms of fabric, don’t forget that DRY-EX is a standard. Jackets have this incredible drying ability as well. The breathable and quick-drying DRY-EX hoodie is stretchy and has UV protection (UPF 50+*1), almost like a wearable parasol. It’ll even keep you comfortable under the summer sun.

*JIS L 1925 : 2019

T-shirt

Seamless

Seamless

Polo Shirt

Mesh makes a pattern

Mesh makes a pattern

Hoodie

Breathable Mesh

Breathable Mesh

Softness

Softness

Mesh Lining

Mesh Lining

Stretchability

Stretchability

For Kids

For Kids

Different Meshes

Different Meshes

Thumbholes

Thumbholes

Raglan sleeve T-shirt with updated fabric to prevent sheerness. Available in two types, plain and patterned. Though manufactured differently, these kids’ items fulfill the same DRY-EX standards.

DRY-EX Crew Neck T-Shirt 19.9
DRY-EX T-Shirt 29.9

The mesh-lined collar makes this polo great for casual wear. Available in plain as well as striped patterns created by the mesh.

DRY-EX Polo Shirt 39.9

This parka has thumbholes to protect your hands from weather or UV radiation. A special mesh material imparts breathability. Stretchiness allows for ease of motion in any direction.

DRY-EX UV Protection Full-Zip Hoodie 49.9

T-shirt

Swipe

Seamless

Seamless

Softness

Softness

For Kids

For Kids

Raglan sleeve T-shirt with updated fabric to prevent sheerness. Available in two types, plain and patterned. Though manufactured differently, these kids’ items fulfill the same DRY-EX standards.

DRY-EX Crew Neck T-Shirt 19.9
DRY-EX T-Shirt 29.9

Polo Shirt

Swipe

Mesh makes a pattern

Mesh makes a pattern

Mesh Lining

Mesh Lining

Different Meshes

Different Meshes

The mesh-lined collar makes this polo great for casual wear. Available in plain as well as striped patterns created by the mesh.

DRY-EX Polo Shirt 39.9

Hoodie

Swipe

Breathable Mesh

Breathable Mesh

Stretchability

Stretchability

Thumbholes

Thumbholes

This parka has thumbholes to protect your hands from weather or UV radiation. A special mesh material imparts breathability. Stretchiness allows for ease of motion in any direction.

DRY-EX UV Protection Full-Zip Hoodie 49.9

Roger Federer speaks to the comfort and reliability of DRY-EX. 

UNIQLO first released the DRY-EX polo shirt modeled by Roger Federer in 2018. It has now been eight years. We asked Roger to share his thoughts on the latest DRY-EX items from his namesake collection, and how well they work for tennis.“What I like about DRY-EX is that it feels effortless. It moves with you, stays light, and keeps you comfortable even when the intensity goes up. You don’t have to think about it, which is exactly what you want on court.”

This season’s two models cover styles both on and off the court.“They both feel great to wear, but each has its own character. One is a bit more performance-focused, the other more relaxed for off court. The fit is clean and comfortable. The green and blue give the collection a fresh, modern look.”What does DRY-EX mean to Roger?“I was impressed by the quality of the material when I first wore it back in 2018, and it’s only improved since. While on tour, I could always rely on it. Over the years, DRY-EX has continued to evolve with new designs that feel current while keeping the same high standards.”

Softness
DRY-EX Polo Shirt 39.9 (ROGER FEDERER COLLECTION)
Softness
DRY-EX Half-Zip Polo Shirt 49.9 (ROGER FEDERER COLLECTION)

The surface of the button-up polo is napped giving it a cotton-like texture, while the ribbed sleeves and hem offer a more everyday feel. The zip-up model has mesh added to the shoulders to prevent stuffiness. Planned for release this spring.

Roger Federer

Roger Federer

Athlete

Born August 8, 1981 in Basel, Switzerland, Roger participated in his first ATP tour in 1998. In 2004, Roger became the world No. 1 for the first time and held the top position for a record 237 weeks. He has won 20 Grand Slam single titles, including a record eight Wimbledon titles. Roger is one of the most influential athletes not only in tennis, but in the world of sports. During the photo shoot, he showed us an artistic backhand.

  • Photography by Yoshio Kato
  • Illustrations by Naoki Shoji
  • Text by UNIQLO
  • Special thanks to Zhejiang Cathaya Huameng Knitting