UNIQLO｜LifeWear Story 100 directed by Yataro Matsuura

Asha made a suggestion for our date.

“Let’s both think of a plan for our date. I’ll think of something that will tell you about me and you.”

“Ok, sounds good. Good idea.”

We decided to go on a date in a week’s time,10AM, at Strawberry Fields in Central Park.

I wonder how Asha is going to tell me about herself. The more I thought about this, the more excited I got and couldn’t wait for the day.

But I was in a fix.

You enjoy your favorite things with someone, like your favorite film, a favorite place, or a favorite way to spend a time. But I never once thought about a date where the purpose was to reveal more about each other.

“Of course, it’s important to talk about many things, but I want you to know more about me, what kind of person I am. With that, I know there’s a risk that you might be disappointed and stop liking me. But there’s nothing wrong with that and there’s nothing we can do about it. I want you to like me after you really get to know me.”

Asha said this, looking straight into my eyes. Normally, she gets shy and lets her gaze wonder but when she wants to speak her mind, she has this piercing look which gave me a bit of a surprise. She was almost saying, “Look at me, look into my eyes.”

“I know I suggested this, but it’s pretty difficult. Where should I take you? What should I show you? How should we spend the day so that you’ll see the real me? But it’s also a good opportunity for me to discover what makes me the real me.”

“See you next week,” she said and put her hand out. I shook her hand said, “Yup, looking forward to it.”

She held on to my hand twirled it around a bit and let go. “That polo shirt has a sharp collar. It’s nice. Bye,” she said and left.

It was a slightly dressed-up button-down polo shirt. It was a comfortable choice on a hot day but more importantly, it makes you look nice when seeing somebody you care about.

This is a polo shirt where shirt cloth is used for the collars and the front so it can be worn for business. The key point was to keep its sophisticated neat look even after many washes. That’s why we spent a good time looking for the right lining for the collars. This design is a result of trial and error to achieve the right collar balance, color, design, and body.

There are two types of collar design: button-down and semi-wide.

So who am I?

I sat on this chair in my room, pondering this question as I looked outside of my window.

I felt like I was lost in this labyrinth, just going round and round, feeling like there was no way out.

Who am I? Who am I…? I verbalized it like a spell, closed my eyes, and continued to think.

Then it dawned on me. This question of the person I am was precisely one manifestation of this desire of what I want to do or what I am planning to do.

So what do I want to do? Yes, that must be an expression of the person I am.

One’s vision. What do I want to spend my life doing? Formulating my thought on this and talking about it in my own words, letting my determination open up a path, and taking my passion to pursue that challenge. Maybe this is what they call a dream? So a dream it will be. So, what is that dream of mine that I am willing to stake my life on to make happen?

I asked a simple question. What do I want to do the most?

I closed my eyes and quietly let this question brew in my mind. Not some cliché or something to say for a show. I sincerely tried to listen to the voice in my heart.

Then quietly but firmly, this phrase came to mind.

“Filial dedication.”

This is what I want to do the most. My dream. Something I want to but haven’t been able to. That was to give back to my parents. I thought how small and so a given that it was almost embarrassing to tell someone else.

I want to use my strength to help people in need. This was an honest thought I had at one point, but it was too vague, too grand. What was more solid was a vision, a dream to give back to my parents.

The love that my parents had given me since birth was infinite. They were always there for me no matter what, believed in me, and were always on my side. Now, I wanted to make them happy, feel assured and content. This is not because of now. I’ve always given them reasons to worry. I wasn’t the best son, honestly.

So, my desire in life was to give back to my parents.

I wanted to put the biggest smile on their faces, to make them as happy as they can be. To help if they need help. I wanted to express this great love I feel for them.

So my dream, my vision is to give back to my parents because… I thought I should just show myself as I am. Yes, this was the way to go.

The key feature of this polo shirt is an AIRism function that’s breathable and releases heat. The moment you put it on, you’ll enjoy a smooth texture and a DRY function that quickly dries sweat. It also offers Cool Touch technology offering a cool sensation upon contact. You’ll appreciate these features during the humid season and the hot summer.

So wear it for work from Monday to Friday and as a casual but neat look with a jacket on weekends. It also works for light sports like golf. Enjoy the neat sophisticated look of a dress shirt with outstanding comfort.

The neat-collar polo shirt
that comes in handy for a sophisticated look
on a hot summer day.

MENAIRism
SHIRT
COLLAR
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.”