On August 27, UNIQLO held its 2024 Autumn/Winter Collection exhibition and unveiled a new product in its HEATTECH series, the “Ultra Warm HEATTECH Cashmere Blend.
Two types of long-sleeved T-shirts (6 colors for turtlenecks and 5 colors for crew necks, both in women’s XS-3XL) will go on sale on September 6, the first ever cashmere mixed into the thin and warm functional innerwear of the original “HEATTECH” material.
Pricing is the same as the existing ultra-warm type, at 1,990 yen per garment. Incidentally, the regular price for “HEATTECH innerwear” is 1,290 yen, the regular price for “extra warm HEATTECH innerwear” that is 1.5 times warmer is 1,990 yen, and the regular price for “super extra warm HEATTECH innerwear” that is about 2.25 times warmer is 2,990 yen.
The feature of Kyokyu Warm HEATTECH Cashmere Blend is that it is blended with 9% cashmere, a high-grade hair fiber, to achieve a soft and fluffy feel. And it is about 30% lighter than existing Kyokyu Warm HEATTECH innerwear, which is made of cotton, with the same warmth.
According to Ms. Kanoko Tatsukoguchi, UNIQLO’s product planning manager, who gave an explanation of the product, the fabric is thin and moderately transparent, and the sleeves are slightly longer, while being an “extremely warm” type that is “warm even in midwinter. Therefore, it is “a new HEATTECH” that can be easily used as a layering piece from early fall to early spring, and can be enjoyed for a long time.
This is the first item in the HEATTECH series to be released under the “UNIQLO:C” brand, a collaboration supervised by British designer Clare Waight Keller. The lineup includes not only basic black and white, but also warm brown, olive, and feathery beige colors, demonstrating the texture of natural cashmere and the design quality unique to “UNIQLO:C”.
UNIQLO plans to add this as one of its main items and offer it in stores nationwide (including overseas) and online.
HEATTECH originally debuted as an “in-and-out” item that could be incorporated into everyday clothing, rather than just underwear or a traditional cover-up shirt. The reason why we focused on cashmere is because there is a growing need for “comfort in things that touch the skin” these days. I wanted to express the ultimate in comfort so that when you wear it, you feel good inside and out,” says Mr. Toratsuguchi.
However, “the looser and softer the material is made, the more likely it is to snag on dry skin and cause furballs,” and many other difficulties were encountered during development, resulting in more than 50 prototype tests. The faster the knitting speed, the higher the production volume, but the more load is placed on the fabric, causing the knitted fabric to become stuffy. Therefore, the company knits more slowly and carefully than usual. In this way, the company and Toray have created a fabric that combines “exquisite thinness and softness” while ensuring quality and cost.
By blending cashmere, “it feels good, but it’s also light and doesn’t stiffen your shoulders. It is so comfortable that you forget you are wearing it.” In addition to the softness, it also has a “high-quality look and feel, as if you are wearing a thin knit.
Although only women’s products will be released this time, some sizes can be worn by men as well, due to the less constrictive and stretchy characteristics. Mr. Tatsuguchi hopes that many people, both men and women, will try HEATTECH CASHMERE.
This season also marks the first appearance of the women’s “Ultra Warm Heattech Ribbed Bra Tank Top” (2,290 yen), an ultra-warm type of bra top that can be worn alone, and the men’s “Ultra Warm Heattech Cotton Mock Neck T/9′ Sleeve” (1,990 yen), which was previously unavailable. The entire series has been expanded to include items that combine functionality and design. The series is also expanding with items that aim to combine functionality and design.
© Source travel watch
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