UNIQLO｜LifeWear Story 100 directed by Yataro Matsuura

It was here…

One morning, I woke up and went straight to the closet to try to find this one sweater from the stack of clothes.

Because my head was still in the morning haze, I wasn’t sure if it was a dream or a memory of the past, but suddenly I saw myself walking in Central Park at the dawn of spring with a gray knitted top, almost like a scene from a film.

At the same time, I remembered that I had put that gray sweater deep in the closet and for some reason, I had to make sure that it was really there.

“Yes, it’s here.” Relieved to see that it was exactly where I had imagined, I took it out and lay back down on the bed.

It was a blend of cotton and cashmere, not too casual, with class. This top took me through many of my days in New York.

I put my nose close and though it may be just my imagination, it had the scent of those wonderful days. Scenes from my past began to flash back.

This scent… it has to be hers. And our favorite herbal tea that we drank all the time. The slight medicinal scent of the small apartment on 74th. Bits and pieces came back, and as they began to merge together, they were scents that I had removed from my memory for some time.

As I lay in bed, looking out the window, I saw this gloriously blue morning sky. The glistening sunlight was piercing.

“The sky is connected, no matter how far.”

That’s when I thought I’d heard a voice. She loved to look up at the sky and would always say this, opening her arms wide.

I let out a sigh, put my face into the sweater rolled up in my arm, and just wallowed in my memory of New York, on that day, at that moment, from the slight scent from back then.

“To think, it’s almost been 10 years…”

She was laying there, sound asleep. As I put a blanket over her shoulder, she said, “Can you close the curtains? It’s too bright.”

I looked at the clock and realized that it was time to wake up the kids.

The blue open sky that stretched far and wide outside the window was absolutely beautiful.

That’s it. I will wear this sweater today to go out, I thought to myself and hugged her from behind.

The soft fit and the premium look are what you will love about this Cotton Cashmere Sweater. It used to be plain or ribbed stitch, but now we have half-cardigan stitch. A reduced stretchiness with a natural chunkiness takes in air to keep you warm. We aimed to create a texture you can easily wear in those slightly chilly days.

The key highlight is the new design, perfect for cotton cashmere, and the silhouette. The warp-knitting around the neck area gives a clean feminine finish. A dropped shoulder gives it relaxed silhouette, a fit which we have perfected after much experimentation.

My recent conundrum was what is the best way to raise these two little kids of ours?

That’s when one acquaintance of mine came to the rescue.

“For toddlers, the most important thing is the infinite sense of security ,and what would that be? It’s when the mom and dad are getting on well, simply looking happy. It is about showing how happy you are with each other as much as possible. This builds a sense of confidence in children.”

I thought back at how it was like when I was small.

We were four in a family, my parents both worked, and my elder sister who is a year older than me. My mom and dad would work from morning ‘til night and I remember thinking, why are they so busy all the time?

This is why the weekends were special at our household.

On the weekends, my parents were just so close to a point it was sometimes embarrassing. When all of us would go out, my dad would always hold my mom’s hand. He was so kind when he spoke to mom, and mom would know how to rub him the right way, so much so that they looked like completely different people. So yes, it was a relaxed atmosphere at our household. My sister and I loved the weekends because seeing parents getting on so well definitely painted this picture of security.

“A child would feel at peace the most when the mom and dad are doing well. I remember this as a kid. I have some great memories of that.”

To this, she said, “That’s true. I completely agree. For us to get on well is the best thing we can do for our kids.”

“Hey, haven’t seen that sweater in a while. Didn’t you get that in the Village?”

“Exactly, I just remembered this morning that I had stashed it away in the closet for the longest time. I figured I can still wear it and it does fit.”

“It looks good on you, “ she said.

“Maybe it’s this sweater, but the scent really does bring back memories from the past.”

“I remember you wearing this sweater, that day, exactly. You ran around to try to find me… good times…”

That moment of that day. It was a miracle for the both of us. And this sweater knows all the details.

We are proud of our Cotton Cashmere Sweater with a premium texture and relaxed silhouette. Go casual with a pair of jeans or a city look with wide trousers or skirts. With a new tunic and cardigans, go for a relaxed styling by wearing a size larger.

With UNIQLO, you can try different sizes for the different occasions. The color scheme of deep colors accentuated by pinks and blues is a way for you to enjoy spring.

Want to keep wearing,
for always.
The simple, premium standard.

WOMENCOTTON CASHMERE
V-NECK CARDIGAN$29.90

Choose this clothes

WOMENCOTTON CASHMERE
BOXY BOAT NECK
LONG SWEATER$29.90

Choose this clothes

WOMENCOTTON CASHMERE
V-NECK SWEATER$29.90

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.”