UNIQLO｜LifeWear Story 100 directed by Yataro Matsuura

On a weekend with a clear blue sky, Asha and I went to the Met Cloisters in Washington Heights on 190^th street.

Asha has been telling me that it was her favorite museum in New York, so I had wanted to go there.

I decided to put on my favorite flannel pants with a shirt and cardigan. Asha had a knitted turtleneck, skinny pants, and a knitted coat. We were both dressed chicly.

We were normally casual, but when we went to a museum, we always made it a point to dress nicely.

With a relocated cloister from a 13^th century monastery and French Medieval architecture, the Cloisters is a beautiful museum that houses European Medieval artworks.

“One of my favorite places is this garden within the Cloisters where a flower recorded in the Medieval literature is planted.”

Asha took my hand to slowly advance through the cloister and led me to another favorite location of hers with a stained glass.

“Over here, see, look! This is what I wanted to show you,” she said, and pulled me to the front of this huge stained glass.

It was a tall stained glass designed with a 14^th Century religious painting.

I stood there, speechless. I was in awe of its amazingly vibrant colors. I have never seen a stained glass as beautiful as this one. The lights, red and blue, were surrounding the two of us.

“See, isn’t this beautiful? The sunlight is glittering and the colors of the glass is simply stunning,” said Asha as she gazed at the work with dreamy eyes.

“When I look at this, I can sense the calm, the quiet, and the beauty. Humans have always sought for these three qualities and have produced them with our own hands. Even through time, we have treasured this… there is something else I want to show you.”

She showed me a statue of a 12^th Century virgin and child from Bourgogne, France. It was about a meter high, but its incredible purity carried a surprising kindness and warmth that made me want to stay there for eternity.

From roomwear and one-mile looks to casual fashion these flannel pants fit seamlessly into your everyday life. Made with comfy 100% cotton, we combined different thread thicknesses so the finish of the fabric is just the right softness and texture.

The on-trend tapered fit offers a relaxed silhouette in the thighs.

“Beauty is not glamour, but something warm,” said Asha and prayed in front of the virgin-and-child statue.

“What were you praying for?”
“I was giving my thanks for being here to this day. ‘Thank you for gracing us with your existence.’”
For the rest of the day, Asha and I leisurely spent our time in the quiet building, enjoying the incredible beauty of the artwork at the Cloisters.

“I like your trousers today.”

“It’s been a while since you complimented me on my fashion.”

“No, I’m always giving you compliments. But I particularly like those flannel pants. I was watching you walk through the Cloisters in them and the pants went so well with the surrounding. They were soft, gentle, and warm. I was thinking what a perfect pair of pants for this autumn season.”

Then Asha buttoned up her knitted coat and said, “It will be winter in New York soon… I want a pair of flannel pants, too.”

“And I would one day find you wearing my pants, I know it.”

“Of course, why shouldn’t I be able to borrow your pants? I love wearing my boyfriend’s clothes. I love thinking about how I would look in this and that.”

Asha gently smiled and freshened her grip on my hand.

“Yeah, you can wear whatever you like,” I said.

I’ve always found it adorable and stylish when women cleverly fashioned men’s clothes. It may be a boyish look when they wear men’s sizes that hang on their frame, but when it’s the boyfriend’s, it does take up the excitement up a notch.

Asha would wear my flannel and button-down shirts as well as sweaters, coats, denim, pants… She had the talent to smartly fashion men’s clothes. And I loved going out in public with Asha dressed like that.

“Is there a technique to fashion men’s clothes?”
I asked Asha one time.

“A technique? No, if anything, you just don’t get embarrassed about it. You can’t when wearing your boyfriend’s clothes. You have to be confident and happy wearing it,” she said and put her hands around her hips, striking a confident pose.

By separating drawstring waist from the main fabric, we’ve strengthened the string holes as well as smoothed out the string movement. The patterns are in sync so you won’t see that it is a separate piece. The double-stitching on the side and hip area both strengthen and accentuate the casual vibe.

They come in a variety of colors and patterns, including gray and navy, checkered and solid. This is a LifeWear that not only makes loungewear fun and comfortable but also broadens the range of looks in your casual fashion.

It’s easy.
It’s proper.
And stylish.

MENFLANNEL
EASY PANTS$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.”