UNIQLO｜LifeWear Story 100 directed by Yataro Matsuura｜Men Dry Pique Short-Sleeve Polo Shirt

I remember how I longed for morning to come that day. The day after the first time we held hands. I couldn’t wait to see Asha. I was overwhelmed with such feelings.

I headed down to the Coffee Shop.

The glistening morning sun just screamed summer. I had put on Asha’s favorite polo shirt and not walked but skipped along the road, my shadow revealing how I couldn’t contain myself.

When I got there, there were about five businessmen lining up at the counter, all looking to be on their way to the office. Standing on my toes, I can just about see Asha’s face beyond the shoulders. She was wearing a　clear Wellington glasses. She was looking more fantastic than ever.

Asha worked briskly, not to make her customers wait, pouring and handing over the coffee cups and saying, “Have a nice day,” sending them off with a smile.

“Will she be surprised?” I lined up and waited for my turn.

When there were just two people in front, our eyes met. Looking slightly shocked, she quickly turned away, her usual glorious smile gone. Didn’t she notice me? “What would you like?” she asked me.

“Hi Asha.”

“What would you like?” she asked again.
“Oh, ok, um, a medium cappuccino, please.”
“Certainly,” and she set the coffee beans and pushed the button on the coffee machine.

“It’s $2.”
I paid and got my cappuccino.
“Thank you, Asha.”
But she didn’t look my way, taking the next order.
I couldn’t take it anymore and stepped out.

Why is she acting this way? With the cappuccino in my hand, I just stood there, lost.

Yesterday, when we were about to part, she smiled and waved, “See you tomorrow.” When I was trying to let go of her hand, she kidded around and held on. She kept on waving as she crossed over to the other side. Asha…

I was so confused as to what happened.
A sudden feeling of loneliness swept over.
What have I done for her to hate me so?

I suddenly felt like such a fool, putting on an outfit she said she liked – a brand new polo shirt, a finely pressed pair of trousers, and a pair of leather shoes.

“Here you go,” I gave the cappuccino to this old man sitting by the road and just left.

What have I done?
Why do I have to be treated this way?
I feel like such a fool…

I put my hands in my pocket, rolled my back, and walked across Washington Square Park.

Or maybe she might come rushing after me…
I turned around now and again but
Asha was nowhere to be found.

The exterior uses rare, smooth Supima cotton coupled with DRY function and finished in a pique knitting. A soft and stretchy wooly thread is used on the inside for a soft feel against the skin.

Stretch-stitching is used for the collar, the face of a polo shirt, to beautifully wrap around the neck. The fly front is a cut to minimize the thickness of the fabric for an elegant feel. Because this is the basic of the basic, the classic of all styles, our LifeWear spirit is alive and well.

Each time I thought about Asha, I felt like my heart would tighten up. Three days had passed.

I was too scared to be given a cold shoulder for the second time, so I couldn’t go to the Coffee Shop. But I thought maybe she would call, so I hung around the house not to miss it. How pathetic was I?

I’m sure there was a reason that made her hate me. I’m just going to forget about her. Shut her out of my mind. But with each day, the sadness grew stronger.

I truly liked Asha. Arriving in New York alone, she was the first woman I really liked. Feeling so alone in the city, I never thought I would find love, but Asha became someone truly special in my life.

I was wrong to think that we became close just because we chatted a bit, walked in the park, and held our hands a bit. I hated myself for making this to be a big deal. These thoughts went round and round in my head, and I began to think, “Forget it.”

Seven days had passed since that tragic morning.
I finally gotten over the turmoil and decided to head down to the Coffee Shop for the last time. I casually glanced around and found Asha, looking as busy as always.

My turn came and I ordered a medium size cappuccino. Noticing me, Asha looked slightly taken aback, stared into my eyes and said,
“Yes, certainly,” and made me a cup.

I placed the money on the counter, took the cup and said, “Thank you, bye,” and started to walk out of the store. That’s when Asha stopped me and said, “Wait…” in a quiet tone.

“It’s fine, I’m ok, don’t worry,” I said.
“No, that’s not it… can you read this?” and she handed me a letter and once again, stared deeply into my eyes.

Tears were welling up in her eyes.
“See you,” she said and turned her back to me.

The envelope had small writing in pink crayon.
“Love, Asha xxx”

“I love pink. When I was small, pink crayon was my treasure, so I would use it sparingly. Even today, I only use pink crayon for important things.”

Asha told me this as we cycled through Central Park.

With a cappuccino in hand and Asha’s letter in the other, I found myself standing in the middle of Washington Square Park, dumbfounded. Why did she have tears in her eyes? What did she write?

I was too scared to open the envelope. I didn’t need to hear from her anymore. I just wanted to be left alone.

The more I stared at the letter, the more it felt like something was about to happen.

I loosened the top button on my polo shirt.
The piercing heat of the summer began to creep all around.

The collar uses a special highly-durable yarn that is colorfast and fuzzfast, precisely the improvement we needed given repeated washes during the summer days.

In addition to the standard colors of navy and white, we have added the trendy colors of faded pink and green that hint at California summer.

Once you wear it, you’ll know.
The ultimate commitment to quality,
hidden in the collar.

MENDRY PIQUE
SHORT-SLEEVE
POLO SHIRT$19.90

Choose this clothes

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.”