UNIQLO｜LifeWear Story 100 directed by Yataro Matsuura｜Men Heattech Knitted Cap & Heattech Knitted Gloves

I suddenly felt left behind when the word job came out of Jack.　

I spent my days taking pictures, writing, reading, and strolling about in town, and there was nothing I could proudly say was my job.

I took a sip of coffee and started to think about what a job was. Inside the donut store counter, the waitress was bustling about, taking and carrying the customer orders.

I decided to take the three letters, J-O-B, and lined up the things that came to mind.

Making money. Earning a living. Purpose in life. Something hard. Tiring. Hassle. From day ‘til night. Taking instructions. Being scolded. Apologizing. Things you need to do every day. Waking up early in the morning.

All the things that came to mind were things you had to bear. So why do people do it? I get that you’ll be seriously restricted if you don’t earn a living. Even this Jack in front of me is working. And he looks to be enjoying it. Or is he also enduring something?

“So Jack, what are jobs to you?”

“Hmm, I can say, at least, it’s not something I hate.”

“So you don’t hate your job?”

“Jobs exist because someone needs it to exist. In other words, jobs are something that eventually helps out someone else. Yeah, you can say you do it for the money, to make a living but that’s not the meaning of working. I always find it interesting that when you look around in the world, most people have some sort of a job. We’re all working for the sake of others. That’s when I think the world isn’t all that bad. Each of us is connected through this act of working. Even these donuts and coffees are helping us to have this conversation. And this bite of sweetness, at this very moment, is giving me comfort.”

Jack broke off a piece and popped it in his mouth and winked.

“So what do you do for work?” Jack asked.

“Actually nothing, I don’t have a job now,” I said.

“Are you looking for one?”

“I need to support myself so I know I need to work but I am lost as to what to do…”

“I know how to find a job. I shall tell you. It’s quite simple. It’s about telling yourself, I should do it because it’s going to work. I can do it better. In other words, this is going to help somebody. So you just need to find something that will help someone else.”

Jack said, as he ordered another cup of coffee.

The soft texture of the knitted cap, the fluffy soft gloves – both are made from HEATTECH threads, absorbing the moisture from the body while the fibers produce heat. HEATTECH is UNIQLO’s proud heat-retention material.

The outstanding warmth of HEATTECH is combined with the soft, warm weight of wool and acrylic. After many trials of scrutinizing the materials and their ratio, we have the new standard pieces for the winter.

Finding a job is about telling yourself, I should do it because it’s going to work. To find something I can do better. For the sake of others…I started to mull over these words Jack spoke.

“Do you know how many second-hand book stores there are in New York City? Probably over 100. They say one out of every ten visitors to a secondhand bookstore is a collector. This means collectors are looking for books every day. And they are mostly looking for those expensive kinds. And expensive means there are that many people looking for such books, and there are only limited copies available. My job is to find such books on behalf of those collectors. I go to numerous book stores in addition to Strand to quickly find what my client is looking for at adequate prices,” said Jack.

“I’ve always loved secondhand books so I had walked around New York City, store after store. That’s when I discovered that there are people who work to find books on behalf of their collector clients. So one day, I asked someone who works like this to show me the list of books he was looking for and instantly knew where he could find some of the books and how much they go for. That’s when I realized that I am better and can find the books more quickly.”

Jack tells me those collectors work with many book hunters and they know how to spot a good one and as they are competitive, they eventually ask you to work exclusively.

“Of course, it’s with the genre you are good at. For me, that’s magazines, photo books, art books modern firsts (first prints of modern literature). I’m one of the top book hunters in New York in these genres. Sometimes, I get poached by other collectors too,” Jack continued.

I crossed my hands at the back of my head, leaned back, and stared outside the donut shop.

So something I know I can definitely do well.
Do better. Is there such a thing…?

It was getting dark outside and the streets were now dazzling with lights. People were pulling up their coat collars to avoid the gusty winds.

“I think we should head out now,” said Jack.

We paid for our donuts and coffees and left the shop.

Jack pulled out a knitted cap and gloves from his coat pocket and put them on. It was obvious they were of premium quality and looked so warm.

I guess because it was after listening to Jack talk vividly about his work. Now with his navy cap deeply on his head, he looked simply dashing. I thought, wouldn’t it be great if I can call someone like him my friend…

The knitted cap is made with a classic, shape-forming knitting technique. Maximizing this traditional knitting technique, it is finished with a hand-woven quality.

The soft-textured gloves are fitted with a special touch-panel-compatible material in the thumb and the index finger. The simplicity comes with the essential function. Both have a rich color variation. For the outdoors, when out on the town, or on a holiday, this is the LifeWear you want to keep with you at all times.

When people look warm,
they simply look happy.
This is my winter buddy,
my confidant to keep me warm.

MENHEATTECHKNITTED CAP$9.90

Choose this cap

MENHEATTECHKNITTED GLOVES$14.90

Choose this gloves

What is “LifeWear story 100?”

At UNIQLO,
there exist these lines of clothes
which has remained for many years,
trend-neutral
yet never dated.
Out of the line-ups,
they are the unsung presence,
sitting quietly behind in TV ads.

Yet, they are the culmination
of the years of passion and devotion,
where UNIQLO sought to pursue
more comfort,
more durability, and
more quality.

They give shape and gravitas
to what and who UNIQLO is,
and what UNIQLO continues
to nurture with great care.

To go beyond yesterday,
to reach higher tomorrow.

When you take it in your hands,
when you try it on,
it softly speaks to you,
almost like a friend.

What is a rich quality
lifestyle?
How is such a quality day spent?
What does happiness mean to you…

And you will find yourself
surprised to discover that such
piece of clothing has existed.

What is the UNIQLO principle?
Why do we call clothing LifeWear?
What kind of clothes constitute
LifeWear?

Here, we go deep into
the root of LifeWear,
to know
and to tell.
And I hope to write
stories that revolve
around LifeWear and myself.

LifeWear story 100 will be
a story about a journey with me and LifeWear.

Yataro Matsuura

Essayist, editor. Born 1965 in Tokyo.
For nine years from 2005, under the leadership of the founder, Shizuko Ohashi, he was the chief editor for the magazine, “Kurashi no Techo.” Since, he launched an online media site, “Kurashi no Kihon.” Currently, sits as a director for Oishii Kenko Ltd. Recognized for his eye for style and experience in presenting ideas for quality lifestyle. Regularly writes in his columns in newspapers and magazines. Has penned numerous best-sellers including “Kyo mo Teinei ni” and “Shigoto no Kihon Kurashi no Kihon 100.” Hosts a radio program on NHK Radio 1, “Karen Style.”