Baby, it’s cold outside
September is here and autumn/winter fashion collections are making their entrance. Of course, even with just two seasons, we still shop away — on the premise that someday it’ll be cooler, that one day we’ll be able to walk under the midday sun, no sweat. Or that we’ll be able to use these cold weather clothes somewhere else, dreaming up the pieces we’ll be layering as we book flights to our next destination. Newsflash: it’s not cold outside, baby. But there’s no harm in stocking up on the basics of fall fashion — a classic coat, a warm jacket, comfortable jeans that won’t dig into our fleshy tummies during a 14-hour flight, and cute add-ons to give our OOTDs some personality.
Recently, fashion label Uniqlo launched its latest collection at the Fashion Hall of SM Megamall, still carrying the brand concept “Lifewear.” The collection was presented in Life Cubes that represent different aspects of our lifestyle: Travel, which displayed Ultra Light Down, Heattech and Fleece lines Play, featuring denim, UT sweaters and flannel; and Work, which showcased the Ines de la Fressange, Smart Style Pants and Extra Fine Merino lines.
Katsumi Kubota, Fast Retailing Philippines, Inc. COO, explains, “We call our design principle Lifewear because our projects equip wearers for whatever life offers, so they can conquer every day in style. More than looking good, Uniqlo creates clothing that provides exceptional comfort, great quality and functionality, and value for money.”
Many of us have made wrong clothing choices. For instance, a cropped top might seem like a good idea for a night out — until your stomach starts to bloat and you’re forced to sit straight all night. Jeans for a long-haul flight sounds sensible, until you’re on your second in-flight meal (which are purposefully laden with seasoning and salt because being at high altitudes actually numbs a good number of taste buds). A cute coat seems enough for a daytime stroll on an autumn day, until a gust of wind sneaks its way up the armholes and gives you a chill.
Enter Uniqlo’s collection of cool weather lifestyle basics that take the guesswork out of packing. Uniqlo Denim has been updated with an unprecented texture that enhances the wearer’s silhouette with a flattering fit and cut that ensures ease of movement. The cotton thread is spun and re-spun 64 times so that the blend is the strongest possible, and the dyeing process is repeated at least 10 times for a richer, longer lasting color. The men’s line also includes an expanded range of selvedge denim, carefully woven on old-fashioned looms for a less bulky, more durable design.
Heattech technology is featured in the entire collection, made even better with close-fitting yet non-constricting designs. Classic innerwear, camisoles, socks and scarves are included in the line — all of them a lot smoother and softer thanks to Camellia oil. Uniqlo is also introducing the Heattech Extra Warm Line to provide extra comfort in extreme weather conditions. This collection is 50-percent more heat-retentive. The ultra-fine fiber traps body heat in a special knit construction, creating micro-air pockets.
The Ultra Light Down collection is ideal for travel — it can be folded into tiny, portable pouches for easy packing. New designs come in 90-percent down and 10-percent feather; the latest parkas feature aluminum-enhanced lining to help retain heat on cold days. The latest Uniqlo Fleece is made with mineral-infused heat storage thread that helps increase clothing temperature by 1.5 degrees Celsuis, the warmest Uniqlo design yet.
UT Sweats sport a stylish new look marked by prints and new designs come in the finest, softest fabric. The new collection also features Smart Style Pants, for a tailored travel look. Those who like to be bundled up can do so in style with Uniqlo Extra Fine Merino Knits, made of high-quality, soft merino wool.
* * *
The latest collection of Uniqlo is available at all Uniqlo stores in SM City Santa Rosa, Eastwood City, Gateway Mall, SM City Rosales, Century City Mall, SM Megamall, Robinsons Place Manila, SM City Clark, SM PF Parañaque, SM City Dasmariñas, SM Aura, SM Pampanga, SM City Fairview, Glorietta 5, SM North EDSA, and Mall of Asia.
Eight new Uniqlo stores are also set to open by early 2015 at Rockwell Power Plant Mall, SM Southmall, Estancia Mall, SM Makati, SM San Lazaro, SM Lipa, Robinsons Magnolia, and SM Marikina.
For information, visit Uniqlo Philippines on Facebook.
