UNIQLO｜LifeWear Story 100 directed by Yataro Matsuura｜Cashmere Big Stole & Cashmere Scarf

It was a day of our East Village Walk Club meet.

The East Village Walk Club was a gathering Asha, Rowena, and I jokingly formed when we met irregularly to discover the East Village on foot, all while chatting away.

But we had one rule — we had to put on a uniform of designated sweat pant and t-shirts, all with handmade illustrations by Rowena. There were six variations. According to her, all clubs must have a strict code of conduct of some sort.

One time, Asha forgot to put on her uniform, to which Rowena responded with ballpoint pen and an attempt on the spot to illustrate our logo on favorite Asha’s t-shirt . This ended up in a bit of a scuffle between the two ladies and a suspension of the club activity for the day where we just went to a café and chatted.

That day, the meet was to begin at noon. As New York was slowly shifting from fall to winter, the three of us had on our matching sweats under our coats.

We were often stopped by an elderly person when we walked around with our uniforms. “How can I join your club? I’d love to do the walks, too.”

“Yes, well, at the moment, it’s just the three of us in the club, and we are not looking to recruit any new members.” Rowena would always have such a proper response that Asha and I found it hard to stop cracking up.

That day, we started our walk with paying our respect to the statue of Peter Cooper at the Cooper Triangle and advanced on 7th Street heading toward Tompkins Square Park. We continued, chatting away and picking up a sandwich along to enjoy at the park.

“Hey, so I have something to share with you guys,” said Rowena.

“Shoot.”

Rowena crossed her arms with Asha’s, her favorite buddy, and began to talk.

“So there’s someone I like, and I was hoping to ask him out before Christmas. But he has his birthday before that, and I’m thinking of giving him something.”

“What? What about that boyfriend of yours you were lovey-dovey with??”

“We broke up the other day…”

“What? Again?!”

Rowena was always full relationship stories which became the regular episode for our East Village Walk Club.

Cashmere knits and accessories that use 100% of of the best cashmere. With its ultimate softness, cashmere is often called the “jewel of fibers” and recognized for lightness and excellent heat- and moisture-retaining qualities.

The big stole is blended with a soluble fiber that disappears when we it put through the washing process, allowing a layer to form between each thread — it enhances the airy softness.

The type of guy Rowena, the carefree spirit, prefers is surprisingly not the artsy type but the suit-donning businessman.

And the guy she has crush on this time is from Copenhagen, a regular at the Coffee Shop from this summer.

“So he told me that it’s his birthday soon. I’m not sure of the date, but I want to be the first one to give him a present, hopefully next week.”

“Rowena, I see you really have the hots for him,” teased Asha.

“So, what are you going to give him?” I asked.

“That’s where you, the man, comes in. What should I get him?”

“Well, New York winter is cold, so why not give him a cashmere winter scarf?” suggested Asha.

“A winter scarf is good, but I think a cashmere stole is better. You can roll it around your neck in the freezing winter, and I use it as a wrap indoors. That’s it — give him both the scarf and a stole.”

As soon as I said this, Rowena said, “Hold on, I can’t afford all that. But I like the stole idea. I think a stole on a man looks great. If he likes me, he may come to the Shop with it around him…”

Rowena’s eyes were completely in a lovey-dovey daze.

“Why don’t you get a scarf for yourself and give him a stole of the same color, you know, matching pieces.”

“Write him a card saying, this stole is the same color as my winter scarf. I’d love it if you could go for a walk with me wearing this stole… you know, something along that line,” said Asha.

“That is a great idea! And we can swap from time to time. Oh, I really hope he likes it,” said Rowena excitedly.

“You know, cashmere so goes well with New York winter. Its warmth just goes perfectly with the city, you know, that modest bit of luxury brings a smile… I love the softness of the cashmere. It just makes me so happy.”

Asha, who was about to leave for Paris, whispered quietly and gazed up at the New York sky.

Our strict screening for incredible thinness and length of cashmere fibers is what keeps the quality consistent across all of these winter accessories. A winter scarf with just the right volume to cleanly fit under a coat but still keep you nice and warm around the neck. A large stole will not only warm your neck but can be used to wrap up or as a blanket when sitting down.

The vibrant colors, iconic of cashmere, also offer many ways to style. This is LifeWear to keep you warm throughout the winter.

It has warmth
like having that special someone
wrapping their arms around you.

CASHMERE
BIG STOLE$49.90

Choose this stole

CASHMERE
SCARF$49.90

Choose this scarf

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.”