Customize it to suit your own style with a brooch. YONETOMI NEW BASIC's knitwear has arrived in colors exclusive to ZUTTO.

Every year around this time, we hold a pre-order event for YONETOMI NEW BASIC's wonderful made-in-Japan knitwear. It's become something of an annual tradition, so we imagine some of you look forward to it each year. This year, instead of a pre-order event, we're excited to introduce a limited quantity of special colors chosen especially to suit ZUTTO customers' tastes. We're also featuring Macon&Lesquoy brooches, which you can enjoy pairing with the knitwear to customize your look.

The ZUTTO exclusive colors are all gentle shades that blend beautifully into winter styling

Shaggy Mohair Cardigan, Exclusive PEARL GREY

This is a new Shaggy Mohair Cardigan.It's a popular item from the brand, but to let you enjoy its exquisite fluffiness even further, we commissioned a special PEARL GREY colorway reminiscent of softly falling snow.The knit cardigan, made with kid mohair yarn, has the characteristic lightness of mohair's fine fibers, and because it holds plenty of air, it feels warm to wear. The overall silhouette is relaxed and roomy. Thanks to a special processing method, this piece is less itchy than typical mohair and has a soft, gentle texture.

When you hear "mohair cardigan," the worry of pilling often comes to mind. But once you hold it in your hands, you'll notice the fine, delicate knit that feels distinctly Japanese, topped with a dusting of mohair like powder snow.Because the fibers aren't overly long, you won't find the nap getting messy or pilling forming right after you start wearing it.Of course, repairs can also be arranged, so this is a piece you can enjoy for years to come.

The Shaggy Mohair Cardigan in exclusive PEARL GREY is easy to pair with the darker tones typical of autumn and winter outfits, and we chose this nuanced color specifically because it also works well as a layer under a coat. It looks lovely paired with a white shirt and black pants, or a gray turtleneck and colored bottoms. It comes in a single size meant to be shared by both men and women—women can wear it loosely draped over their shoulders as a light outer layer, while the unisex sizing also makes it a great choice for men.

Soft Lambswool Knit (Exclusive IVORY / Exclusive SAX)

YONETOMI NEW BASIC's Soft Lambswool Knit is one of the brand's signature knits, and one of its great features is that both size and color can be chosen for men or women alike. Once you hold it, you'll fall in love with its beautifully dense, elegantly thick knit that feels distinctly Japanese.It's simple in design, but because it's made with meticulously chosen lambswool, it's nothing like a knit that pills easily. Repairs can, of course, be arranged, making this a piece you can enjoy for years to come. It's an item we've featured many times at ZUTTO as one of our bestsellers.

This time, we had the opportunity to commission special colorways of this Soft Lambswool Knit exclusively for ZUTTO customers.

This color is the exclusive IVORY. The natural, skin-flattering ivory tone is very versatile and has a gentle feel—it's almost surprising that it isn't already one of the brand's standard colors.

This color is the exclusive SAX. It's a soothing, gently muted blue rarely seen in YONETOMI NEW BASIC's usually vivid, bold color lineup. Since it adds a touch of color to black, gray, or navy outfits, it's an exquisite shade well worth having on hand.

Size 1 (Height 162cm)

Size 2 (Height 162cm)

Size 3 (Height 162cm)

If you're a woman who wants as close to a perfect fit as possible, we recommend Size 1. But if you plan to layer a shirt underneath or prefer a looser fit, it's also nice to size up to a 2 or 3.ZUTTOでは2サイズが一番人気ですが、その次は1と3を選ぶ方が同じくらいいらっしゃったので、3サイズの展開でご用意しています。 Wait, I need to translate, not copy. Let me redo this properly. --- At ZUTTO, size 2 is the most popular, but since roughly equal numbers of people chose size 1 and size 3 as their next preference, we've made all three sizes available. It's a unisex size, so of course men can choose it too.

Making your knitwear your own. About the brooches from Macon&Lesquoy

ワッペン CLASSIC

This time, to introduce the joy of customizing your knitwear to suit yourself, we chose Macon&Lesquoy's beautiful embroidered patches and brooches. They use a technique called cannetille, which means "gold and silver work," and each brooch is hand-embroidered by skilled artisans. You can feel the brand's philosophy of wanting people to "keep loving their favorite pieces, just as they are, for a long time."

These aren't simply items meant to dress things up beautifully—brooches and patches were chosen after considering what's truly needed in a world overflowing with things. They're meant to be a savior for the kinds of problems you face when trying to keep wearing clothes you cherish for a long time, like a stain on a trench coat inherited from your mother, or moth holes in a cashmere sweater you splurged on.These brooches and patches don't just hide flaws—they're designed to make the original garment look even more wonderful. Many of the motifs have a poetic, humor-filled quality that brings a sense of happiness just by looking at them.

△Macon&Lesquoy's flagship store in Paris

Among these, this time we're introducing a new brooch design alongside YONETOMI NEW BASIC.

ブローチ HIVER18 Love Fiodor

Brooch ANIMALS & PLANTS

Polar Bear

A charming polar bear brooch. We picked one that's a bit smaller than Macon&Lesquoy's usual embroidery designs. It's amazing how the bear's movement can be expressed through embroidery alone.

Ladybird

A ladybird, a symbol of happiness. The touch of red makes for a nice accent, and it pairs easily with sweaters.

Corgi

We wanted to introduce this one especially for dog lovers—this corgi. The way it smiles back at you is heartwarming.

Brooch HIVER18

Love Fiodor

A striking brooch with yellow embroidery thread on a black background. Perfect for those looking for something other than an animal or cute motif.

Silver Heart

Gold Heart

The small heart design makes a lovely accent for adult clothing. It also pairs wonderfully with this season's YONETOMI NEW BASIC knitwear.

French Croissant

A gold French croissant design. The glossy croissant looks positively delicious.

The artisan embroidery of Macon&Lesquoy

Macon&Lesquoy makes both brooches and patches, and each is embroidered using a different method. It's in the brooches that the artisans' skill really shines. If you look closely, you'll notice that the motifs aren't made with embroidery thread at all, but rather with what looks like coiled metal wire.

Soft copper wire is finished in colors like gold, silver, red, and blue, and then hand-embroidered onto felt using a traditional French technique called cannetille.

Cannetille originally meant "gold and silver work"—a technique in which metal wire is freely bent, cut to the needed length, and embroidered onto a motif to complete it. It's said to have been developed in France after the Industrial Revolution, when the price of gold rose and jewelers needed a way to make jewelry using less of it. Because of the delicacy achieved, as if each stitch were sewn one by one, it's also known as metal embroidery.

The cannetille technique is characterized by its ability to create luxurious jewel-like pieces using relatively little metal, and thanks to the use of felt fabric, the finished pieces are also very lightweight. Because they're so light, they're gentle on the fabric of the garment they're sewn onto.

Why not update your classic knitwear?

Many people probably have a favorite classic knit that they buy again in the same style every winter. You add one or two pieces each year, wear them for a long time with repeated repairs, and eventually let go of the worn-out ones. When you have a go-to knit style you can rotate through over the long term like this, the knitwear itself lasts longer, and you also avoid the disappointment of bottoms you bought to match ending up unused in the back of your closet because "somehow there's no top that goes with them anymore."

That said, whether a knit you once thought was "great" is truly the "best" design for who you are now is a different matter. For instance, a heavy, low-gauge knit cardigan, or a feminine, body-hugging high-gauge knit, may not necessarily suit your current body shape or mood. Updating even your classic knit styles to match how your feelings have changed over five or ten years seems to be the key to avoiding that nagging feeling of "somehow this isn't quite right," and to enjoying your clothes for a long time.

The The new-standard knits from YONETOMI NEW BASIC are new staple knits made by Yonetomi Sen-i, a company aiming to become a "new basic." With their colorful hues and the thorough repair system that only a domestic maker can offer, there are many reasons why they're becoming a new standard.

The Beginning of YONETOMI NEW BASIC

Yonetomi Sen-i Co., Ltd. was founded in Yamagata Prefecture in 1952. As a knit factory, the company has worked on developing knit textile (fabric knitting) technology ever since its founding, and based on that technology, it handles everything from material development to product development and mass production, all at its own factory in Yamanobe. Yamanobe, in Yamagata Prefecture, is home to many factories with their own advanced technical skills, and "Yamagata knit" has been drawing attention not only in Japan but overseas as well.

Even among factories with a long history, Yonetomi Sen-i has been quick to adopt new materials whenever they hear of them, and has actively worked on creating new products. It's a company driven by the desire to create good things, cheerfully and brightly, in a good working environment.

The many knit archives kept at the head office. They give a glimpse of the knitting knowledge cultivated over a long period of time.

Why YONETOMI NEW BASIC Is Becoming the New Standard

High-quality knits are also coming to Japan from overseas

Just as Italy is associated with leather, there are many clothing lovers who think of British brands when it comes to knitwear. In particular, Shetland wool knits from the Shetland Islands embody the classic image of a "winter knit" that people picture—warm, brushed with teasels, and a timeless staple with a classic look.

But if you take a closer look, you'll notice that Japan too has some wonderful knit factories. They've long stood in the shadow of major brands and haven't received much attention, but now is an era in which factories are becoming brands in their own right. You can get your hands directly on high-quality items, such as knits finely made from high-quality wool. That's precisely why we'd like even those who have long loved knits from historic overseas brands to try a domestically made knit for once.

A wide range of sizes, with no difference in design between men's and women's

YONETOMI NEW BASIC knits have no design differences between men's and women's sizes. You can choose your preferred size based on your height or how you like to wear it. For example, a taller woman might choose size 3 or 4, while someone who likes a tighter fit might go down a size. You can also buy different sizes to suit your own personal preference.

A clean silhouette that doesn't make you look bulky

A silhouette that falls straight down is a design not often found in fluffy, traditional knits of the past. Even if you choose a larger size, it doesn't add bulk, so you can also enjoy layering it for a variety of looks.

Can be washed at home

With most knits until now, you couldn't wash them at home, but the rib knits from YONETOMI NEW BASIC are machine washable. (*Soft lambswool knits are very delicate, so dry cleaning is recommended.) Clothes that require a lot of care are hard to wear frequently, so being able to wash them may also be one reason they're becoming a new standard.

A system that lets you repair and use them for a long time

These days, one point worth considering when buying clothes is whether it can be repaired, and whether thorough aftercare is available. If you've bought a nice knit you love, it's only natural to want to keep wearing it for a long time, having it mended along the way. Precisely because we live in an age worn out by mass production and mass consumption, it's important to be able to consult directly about this kind of aftercare.

For YONETOMI NEW BASIC knits, you can consult about everything from small repairs like snagged threads to tears, holes, stains, and discoloration. Please note, however, that there may be cases where repair is not possible. (Repairs related to color fading or shape distortion caused by cleaning or washing are not accepted.)

▽Click here for the YONETOMI NEW BASIC brand page