As a new year begins. Why not take this chance to rethink the innerwear that makes your winter days more comfortable?

Many of us choose innerwear based on price, thinking of it as something disposable, or miss the right timing to replace it and end up wearing the same pieces for years. I'm one of those people myself—I had been using the same innerwear for over two years.

The other day, while tidying up my clothes for the first time in a while, a slightly faded piece of innerwear caught my eye in the drawer. The moment I picked it up, it struck me: since this is the item closest to my skin, shouldn't I be more thoughtful about choosing it? So, at this turning point of a new year, I decided to start searching for innerwear that truly suits me.

In this article, we introduce a carefully selected lineup of winter innerwear, complete with reviews. Compare the features of each material and design, and find your favorite piece.

■ Long Sleeves

⬇︎ Product pages ⬇︎

ao｜【Special Order】Smooth Tenjiku Long T-Shirt

ZUTTO｜Cashmere Silk Bear Nashiji Crew Neck Long Sleeve T-Shirt

Schiesser Revival｜Inner Turtleneck

■ Leggings

⬇︎ To the product pages ⬇︎

ao｜Smooth Tenjiku Banana Spats

SHOKAY｜Yaktech Women's Pants, Grey Beige

226｜Leg-Wrapping Rib Knit Leggings, Wool Silk

Contents

■ Long Sleeves Edition

■ Leggings Edition

First, let's introduce our staff.

Woman in her 20s, average build (Height: 152cm, Weight: 47kg)

Usual size: M

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■ Long Sleeves Edition

ao｜【Special Order】Smooth Tenjiku Long T-Shirt

▲Height 162cm / Size M
 

A crew neck T-shirt with a comfortably snug collar. It looks natural worn alone, and its basic silhouette also makes it easy to layer.

This piece is made from ao's popular "Smooth Tenjiku" fabric.

Made from ultra-fine yarn using 100% Supima cotton—a premium cotton sometimes called "the cashmere of cotton"—this fabric is prized for its smooth, moist feel against the skin and its lightness.

The fabric has a distinctive crepe-like texture created by combining regular 60-count yarn with slub yarn, and two thin layers are joined into one, giving it a plump, three-dimensional feel.

Let's try it on right away!

There's no tightness at all, just a comfortable fit. The length covers about half of the hips. There's no strain when raising or lowering your arms, so it's easy to move in.

▲A compact neckline.

If you pair it with a wider top, like a boat neck, you might catch a glimpse of it, but since it doesn't look like underwear, it doesn't bother you even if it shows.

The fabric feels so good against the skin that even I, with sensitive skin, was won over instantly. It's breathable, so it stayed comfortable even indoors where heating can make things stuffy.

As for care, all you need to do is put it in a laundry net when washing. When drying, keeping it as close to flat-drying as possible helps maintain its shape nicely.

✔︎ I've rated it on a 5-star scale.

​This may vary from person to person, so please take it as a reference.

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Warmth: ★★★　Being cotton, it has a gentle, soft warmth

Feel against skin: ★★★★★　A perfect score. Recommended for those with skin concerns

Design: ★★★★　A basic design that won't get old

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✔︎ What I love most is that it can be worn year-round

From early spring through early autumn, I'd wear it on its own, and in winter, I'd choose it as an inner layer under a sweater. It's nice that it can be useful across the seasons.

Being thin, it's easy to layer, which expands your styling options. Even layered, it doesn't feel bulky, and it's a piece that reliably adds just the right amount of warmth.

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ZUTTO｜Cashmere Silk Bear Nashiji Crew Neck Long Sleeve T-Shirt

▲Height 160cm

Next up is ZUTTO's original crew neck long sleeve T-shirt. This one also has a basic design, featuring a simple crew neck that's easy for a wide range of people to wear.

▲The neckline is cut wide so it won't interfere with the tops you layer over it.

The fabric used is a hybrid of natural and synthetic fibers. It's based on regenerated tencel fiber, blended with cashmere and silk.

Tencel is a regenerated fiber made from wood pulp using an amine oxide-based aqueous solution. It's highly moisture-absorbent and quick-drying, making it a material that can be worn comfortably year-round.

Another characteristic is its soft texture, which is further enhanced by blending in cashmere silk, boosting both feel and softness. It feels a bit thicker compared to tenjiku fabric, so you can feel reassured wearing it on its own.

Now, let's try it on!

While the silhouette has a bit of ease, the fit is exquisite, showing off the body's lines beautifully. The length hits around the hip bone, looking great whether tucked in or worn untucked.

You might think it looks a little tight from the outside, but it actually feels relaxed. You'll especially notice the ease of movement in the body width and around the arms.

Another feature is the strong, stretchy material. It's nice that the collar and cuffs don't stretch out and the silhouette doesn't lose its shape even after wearing it all day.

✔︎ I've rated it with stars on a 5-point scale.

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Warmth: ★★★★　The cashmere silk blend gives it warmth

Texture: ★★★★　A smooth surface with a slight plumpness

Design: ★★★★　A basic design that never gets old

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✔︎ My favorite point is the "careful stitching"

The seam allowances at the sides and armholes have been flattened with stitching so they don't bunch up. Even the smallest discomfort can become bothersome when you wear something every day. It's a detail that's easy to overlook, but this kind of careful attention is very welcome.

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Schiesser Revival｜Inner Turtleneck

▲Height 160cm

A plain turtleneck that's handy as an inner layer. The stretchy fabric fits the body well.

Made from a blended fabric of organic cotton, with its fluffy softness and natural texture, and lyocell, known for its excellent moisture absorption and release.

Lyocell is a regenerated fiber made from wood pulp, such as eucalyptus. Thanks to its excellent moisture absorption and release properties, it quickly absorbs sweat and releases it outward, keeping you feeling dry and comfortable while preventing that stuffy feeling.

Combining this lyocell with organic cotton brings out the best of each material—softness, smoothness, moisture absorption, and breathability. It's also highly durable, and another key point is that it keeps its shape and texture even after repeated washing.

Now, let's try it on!

The silhouette is slightly fitted. The length reassuringly covers the hips completely.

Thanks to the high stretch that comes from the lyocell blend, there's no tightness when raising or lowering your arms—completely stress-free.

▲Thin yet keeps you properly warm

It has an exquisite fit—not constricting, yet no cold air gets in through the neckline either. Even against a sensitive neck, there's no scratchy feeling at all.

▲Also pairs beautifully with knits and sweaters.

✔︎ I rated it on a 5-point scale.

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Warmth: ★★★　Assuming you'll layer it, it keeps a moderate warmth. Comfortable to wear indoors too.

Texture: ★★★★　Has the smoothness unique to a lyocell blend, with zero itchiness.

Design: ★★★★　A basic design that never gets old.

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✔︎ My favorite point is the "fit"

With its slightly tight design, it fits comfortably against the body. The smooth, pleasant finish makes you want to call it a second skin. It's also recommended for those who experience itchiness from friction between bare skin and fabric.

We've introduced three long-sleeve innerwear pieces, each with its own distinct characteristics—did you find your favorite?

We've organized our recommended items based on your concerns and usage scenarios, so please use this as a reference.

▼For those with sensitive skin who are cautious about choosing innerwear

▼For those who want something versatile enough for office casual wear

▼For those who want to thoroughly guard against cold around the neck

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■Leggings Edition

ao｜Nameraka Tenjiku Banana Spats

▲From left: Special Order Gin-nezumi, Sumi-iro, Shironezumi

The Nameraka Tenjiku Banana Spats feature a clean, simple design with no excess. From layering styles in spring and summer to guarding against the cold, this is an item you'll find useful all year round.

It comes in two sizes, M and L, with little difference in the rise or inseam length—the main difference lies in the waist and hip sizing.

The darts are shaped to follow the line of the legs, and the silhouette curves slightly inward, resembling a banana—which is how the Banana Spats got their name.

The fabric used is the same "nameraka tenjiku" (smooth jersey) fabric featured earlier in the 【Exclusive】Nameraka Tenjiku Long T-Shirt.

Now, let's try them on!

I chose size M. The fabric stretches well, and there's no tightness around the waist.

When put on, the waist area

The rise measures 24cm, not too long, which is a nice point since it doesn't bunch up when layered under other bottoms. The way the fabric pieces are put together is very carefully calculated, giving a snug fit around the legs. The knees also bend smoothly, making them excellent for ease of movement.

Of course they work great as room wear, but they're also handy as leggings worn under bottoms to keep your legs protected from the cold.

The feel against the skin is, needless to say, excellent. I'd been bothered by dry legs, so I'm hooked on this gentle texture. Since it's a signature fabric of the brand, I can confidently recommend it to fans of ao as well.

✔︎ I rated it on a 5-star scale.

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Warmth: ★★★★ A light wearing feel, yet with a gentle warmth that protects against the cold

Texture: ★★★★★ Smooth and gentle against the skin. A material that's especially welcome during dry seasons

Roominess: ★★★★★ A design that prioritizes ease of movement, with no feeling of tightness

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✔︎ My favorite point is "how easy they are to put on"

With the spats I usually wear, putting them on takes two steps—pulling them up to the knees first, then pulling them further up. But I was surprised that the Banana Spats slide up smoothly in just one motion. That's thanks to the leg-following cut and the smooth fabric.

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SHOKAY｜Yaktech Women's Pants Gray Beige

A thin inner legging with excellent warmth retention and a pleasant feel against the skin. It's made using a fabric that blends soft, warm yak fiber with modal developed from beech wood, among other materials. It's characterized by outstanding moisture absorption and moisture retention.

Yak wool is not widely known in general, but its soft, highly insulating fiber is sometimes even called "down." It's a very luxurious fiber, said to rival cashmere in value. Yak wool is moist and fluffy, so there's no worry about it feeling scratchy or itchy—that's another point in its favor.

Modal is a material with excellent moisture absorption and moisture retention. It has a silk-like sheen and a melting, smooth feel against the skin.

Now, let's try it on!

The overall silhouette is fairly tight, so I could wear it under skinny pants. I appreciated that it doesn't add bulk. Thanks to its stretchiness, sitting seiza-style or crouching down was smooth and easy.

The waist area gives a neat, fitted feel once worn. Since the rise is a bit longer and the waistband is wider, there's no feeling of tightness.

Around the waist, once worn

The fabric has that distinctive "moist, soft" feel unique to high-quality natural materials. You can feel the warmth from the moment it touches your skin, making even changing clothes on a cold morning a pleasant experience.

✔︎ I rated it on a 5-point star scale.

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Warmth: ★★★★ Natural warmth unique to yak wool

Softness against skin: ★★★★ Smooth texture thanks to the modal blend

Roominess: ★★ A slightly tight silhouette, designed with layering in mind

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✔︎ What I'd especially recommend: how easy it is to layer

My favorite point is how easy it is to layer. Of course it works under skinny pants, but it also feels natural worn under wide pants or skirts. Since it keeps you warm without disrupting your silhouette, it should expand the range of outfit combinations for the colder months.

This is a perfect piece for everyday use, but it's especially recommended for commuting. Since it's thin, it doesn't feel bulky, so you can spend the day at the office without that puffy, overdressed feeling.

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226｜Ashi wo Tsutsumu Rib-Knit Leggings, Wool Silk

Warm knit leggings from 226, a maker of knitwear designed to protect the body from cold.

The key point is that there are no seam allowances. By using the latest whole-garment knitting technology to knit an entire piece at once instead of sewing together separate parts, there's no seam allowance at all.

This means none of the bumpy, stiff feeling from seams that's common in conventional leggings—a construction that's very welcome for relaxed loungewear.

▲A delicate, fine rib knit

It's made from wool-silk yarn that generously incorporates 15% silk. Since it's rib-knit, it has stretch, making it easy to bend and stretch your legs.

Now, let's try it on!

It stretches well around the stomach area too, with no feeling of tightness. The finish is smooth and doesn't bunch up around the belly.

Around the waist, once worn

The knit fabric feels gentle against the skin and is very warm. Since it contains silk, it slides on smoothly and is easy to wear. Rather than fitting tightly, it follows the legs in a comfortably moderate way.

Pairing with skinny pants is a bit tricky, but it should go well with just about any other silhouette without issue.

✔︎ I gave it star ratings on a 5-point scale.

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Warmth: ★★★★★ Outstanding heat retention, comfortably warm even in the depths of winter

Texture: ★★★★ The smoothness of silk combined with the gentle feel of natural wool

Roominess: ★★★★ A comfortably relaxed fit without any feeling of tightness

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✔︎ My favorite point is the deep rise

Because the rise is cut generously deep, the waist area stays warm too. It also helps prevent the common issue with ordinary leggings where your back shows when you bend over. There's no stress of the fabric rolling up around the stomach, so I was able to stay comfortable all day long.

Not only for outings on cold days, but it's also perfect for days when you spend long stretches sitting still, like working from home at your desk.

We've organized our recommended leggings according to specific concerns and use cases, so please use this as a reference.

▼For those who want to prioritize warmth and skin-friendly texture

▼For those who want warmth even with a thin fabric

▼For those who want to prioritize warmth and a relaxed feel

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"Because it's something that touches your skin, a little indulgence goes a long way."
Please give these inner garments a try to make your winter living even more comfortable.