Cotton knits that carry you through to spring

What should I wear today?

It's still cold, but our hearts are already turning toward spring,

and somehow we just don't feel like reaching for our winter clothes anymore.

That's the kind of season this is.

We want something that won't look too cold for winter,

yet can still be worn beautifully all the way through to spring.

What answers that somewhat selfish wish

is the [cotton] knitwear we'd like to introduce this time.

In English, cotton refers to men (cotton fiber).

Cotton has long been cherished by people as one of the most familiar fibers,

and it's a material loved by people of all ages, from children to adults.

Compared to knitwear made from wool and similar materials,

cotton fibers have rounded tips, so there's no itchiness,

and you can wear it with a soft, gentle feel against your skin.

1. Perfect for the chilly days of early spring

Wool and cashmere knits offer warmth and insulation,

but as spring approaches, we start longing for clothes with a lighter feel.

Even if the daytime hours are starting to feel like spring,

it's still too cold to head out in spring clothing, isn't it?

That said, we've been wearing our winter clothes for a long time now,

and we're ready to try something different・・・

This is exactly where cotton knitwear comes into play.

It doesn't look too cool like a cut-and-sew top,

nor too warm like a wool sweater—

cotton knitwear

truly is an item that serves you well across both winter and spring.

2. Excellent functionality

Beyond its soft appearance,

it also offers excellent functionality.

While cotton has less insulating power than wool and similar fibers,

thicker cotton knits can still keep you comfortably warm.

And on days when the sun is strong and you start to sweat during the daytime,

cotton's excellent moisture absorption

makes it a great choice for seasons with big temperature swings.

So which brands should you consider first?

Here we introduce two brands well known for their cotton knits.

◆twine

twine is

a brand that takes naturally grown cotton, handled by Masuku Senshoku Kenkyujo—a maker also popular at ZUTTO—

and slowly spins it into thread by hand, twisting it together,

to create knitwear that was finally perfected after years of trial and error.

The cotton used as raw material for twine's thread

comes from a contracted farm in Shandong Province, China,

grown in cotton fields that have never once used pesticides or fertilizers,

and even now cultivated with great care using sickles and hoes.

They've maintained this dedicated approach to cultivation

since long before organic farming received the attention it does today.

Using thread slowly hand-spun on a spinning wheel,

twine offers carefully crafted knitwear

brought to life by skilled knitting artisans in Nara Prefecture, Japan.

The distinctive uneven texture is proof of all the time and effort poured into making it.

◆Original Blues

Cotton knitwear with a beautifully vivid blue, dyed with indigo.

The main knitting work is done by hand,

using a hand frame.

Because human hands can adjust the density of the knit and the strength of the knitting,

the resulting texture has more character than uniform, machine-produced mass items.

You can truly feel the warmth of something made by hand.

The brand uses indigo cotton thread

from UNITON, a Spanish spinning mill,

dyed using the same traditional method used for indigo jeans.

Just like denim, you can enjoy the fading and wear marks over time,

making this a brand where you can discover your own original blue.

Cotton knitwear truly shines from winter through spring.

Of course, the texture of coats and other outerwear matters,

but even just changing your accessories can bring out a strong sense of the season.

・Try changing what you wrap around your neck

On chilly days, pair with a warm-colored muffler; on mild spring days,

pair with a soft, pastel-colored stole—

this way you can enjoy coordinating your outfit to match the season.

Knit: Crew Neck Pullover Knit (natural)

Stole: S709 Zic Zag Jacquard Scarf (1602 burgundy)

Bag: [Special Order] Leather Mini Tote AVORIO×BLU

Skirt: G5126 ST.SKIRT WA Denim Skirt

Stole: Stole 3108C (yellow)

Knit: Crew Neck Pullover Knit (navy)

Stole: Stole Camel Thompson

Pants: Cotton Wool Denim Wide Pants (blue)

Stole: Stole 1510W

Bag: 2-Way Square Bag Kinari

・Try changing the texture

Knit: ROLL NECK Cotton Sweater (sax blue)

Bag: SUEDE×LEATHER CITY MAIL Bag SMALL (BROWN)

In this coordinate, the vintage-like bag becomes the key accent.

Since indigo-dyed knitwear tends to look fresh and light,

adding an accessory with a sense of weight and depth on a chillier day

You can create the perfect coordinate for today.

Knit: ARAN CABLE Cotton Sweater (navy blue)

Scarf: Scarf M (BE Flower)

This silk scarf, scattered with elegant flowers,

is perfect for a spring outfit in full bloom.

It's a style you'll definitely want to incorporate in early spring, when the wind blows strong.

Cotton knits are resistant to pilling,

and though they can be washed at home,

there is a risk of losing their shape if washed incorrectly.

Hand-wash with a detergent for delicates, gently remove excess water with a towel, and then

dry flat in the shade.

Original Blues' indigo-dyed knits

may transfer color to other items,

so please be sure to wash them separately.

This is the season when we can't wait for spring to arrive.

Find your favorite cotton knit

and enjoy waiting for the season's arrival.