UNIQLO｜LifeWear Story 100 directed by Yataro Matsuura｜Women High Waisted Chino Wide Straight Pants

Asha had yet to arrive at the Coffee Shop where we promised to meet. Will she or won’t she? I hadn’t the slightest clue.

The old gentlemen whom I was sharing the table with continued to talk about his journey.

“So I was 30 when I went to Shanghai. That’s where I met this Chinese lady and we fell in love. But coming from a strict family, she wasn’t allowed to date an American like me. Since we couldn’t be together in Shanghai, we decided to travel abroad. First, it was Paris. We spent about six months there. It was like a dream. We reveled in the happiness that we could be together. She was a great cook, and she would find a market, buy fresh produce, and cook up a delicious meal in the kitchen of the place where we stayed. It was fine food. Home-cooked meals are brilliant. Until then, I would gulp down burgers and sandwiches simply to quell my hunger, but thanks to her, with the sautéed vegetables, soup, and rice, I learned to enjoy the smell, the texture of food. I never thought I would feel as good as I did at that time. Then, we went to London.”

Gazing far, he continued his story.

“I thought, how happy would be if we can start a family together. ‘Food is medicine’ is a wonderful wisdom of the Chinese people where you never eat food that cools your body. I really became healthy, my spirits were better, and I felt more compassion for others. I relished my life.”

“How was life in London?” I asked.

“London, yes, well that became a place of tragedy for us. As soon as we arrived, her parents were waiting for us. In order to not worry them, she had told them about our travel plans. Chinese people truly value their family, but I never thought that they would be waiting for us. It was a huge surprise.”

“Then what?” I was drawn in, curious about how the story evolved.

“Her parents were obviously ready to take her home, as they were completely against her being with me. She was sad about our parting but not wanting to let her parents down, she decided to go back with them. That’s when I told her, ‘Let’s meet again, at that place.’ We had a place that we promised about. It was this place in Paris.”

“It was the bench around the pond at the Luxembourg Park where we would often spend time. We promised to meet there in a year’s time. She loved me, so I thought we could meet again there and resume our travels. She said that she would convince her parents by then.”

Listening to how the story went, I was shocked to hear how similar his story was to ours and that’s when I said, “Can I tell you about my story?”

These high-rise wide-leg straight chino trousers have a trendy silhouette with a bit of a stretch. Made with a pleasantly thick cotton twill chino material, a classy tone with a raised surface.

We keep a slender cut around the waist, with a tapered cut from knee to hem. The high waist makes legs look long, too.

“I see, today is the day you promised to meet, and the place is here. What coincidence. Us meeting feels strangely like fate.”

He took a sip, nodding, and said, looking into my eyes.

“Yet she’s not here, though the time has passed.”

“Yes, not yet. For us, five years have passed, so I honestly don’t know if she will show up. But I’ve always believed that she will, so I’ll continue to wait.”

“Is there any other place that you could think of that she would wait for you?” he asked.

“Actually, I couldn’t meet my lady in Paris. We had promised to meet on that bench by the pond in the Luxembourg Park but no matter how long I waited, she didn’t show up. Not wanting to miss the chance, I waited all day, but she never showed. So, our meeting never happened. But I later learned that she was waiting for me in a completely different place. She got it wrong, but there is a water fountain called the Fontaine des Quatre Parties du Monde and she was waiting in front of that instead.”

“So, I ask you once again. Is there any other place that is special to both of you? She may be waiting for you there instead?”

The man put his hand on my knees and spoke as though it was about him.

“Strawberry Fields… Strawberry Fields in Central Park.”

That was another place that came to mind that was special for us.

“I’ll be here at the café for a while, so if I see a woman who fits that description, I’ll tell her to wait. So, you head over to Central Park. Don’t lose your love with a little trick fate plays on you, like it was for me. Go on, hurry!,” he said and egged me on.

I hopped in a taxi and headed to Central Park.

When I got there, Strawberry Fields was packed with tourists and locals. Maybe Asha was amongst them. I searched and searched.

I could not find Asha anywhere.

In front of me as I stood speechless, a woman walked in front of me with baggy cropped chinos, the kind Asha would always wear. I recalled the petite Asha looking really good in that fashion. From the looks of it, she seemed to be waiting for her boyfriend.

It was like seeing Asha, looking at the lady in the chinos from behind. Immense sadness began to well up inside.

They looked like a lovely couple.

Delicate double-piping pocket has been designed for a clean look with discreet stitches.

The simple details and sophisticated design makes this pair a perfect piece for you to wear with everyhing, from classy sweaters to casual t-shirts.

It’s casual but
a bit elegant.
This is my style, for this year.

WOMENRELAXED
TAPERED
PANTS $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.”