Choosing Your Spring Outerwear: Ready to Wear Tomorrow

Did you know that the "haori" was originally a men's garment worn over a kimono?

Since it blocks wind well, it was worn on chilly days and was also treated as a form of formal dress.

Now that modern Western-style clothing has become the norm, items like jackets and cardigans

have expanded the range of "outerwear" available, and these pieces are now worn by men and women alike, according to the season.

The time when outerwear truly proves its worth is during the changing of the seasons.

As winter shifts into spring, a thick coat can feel too warm, yet

a single cut-and-sew top alone often isn't quite enough, leaving you feeling chilly.

It's also a time of year when the temperature swings dramatically between morning and night.

A lightweight piece of outerwear is just the thing to throw on at moments like these.

There are two points worth checking when choosing a piece of outerwear.

The first is how easily it pairs with whatever you're wearing underneath.

When layering, besides balancing colors and design, it's important to consider

whether the piece will feel bulky or restrict movement once it's on

—this is a key point to keep in mind.

Also, since outerwear is worn over your top,

there will inevitably be times when it gets dirty or caught in the rain.

So how easy it is to care for is another important point to check.

This time, keeping these two points in mind, we introduce outerwear pieces you can start using tomorrow.

K-WAY, which started in 1965 in Paris, France,

began as a brand when its designer saw someone caught in a sudden downpour, running to escape the rain,

and was inspired to create outerwear that could handle sudden rain showers.

The Packable Windbreaker comes in sizes suited to both men and women, along with a rich lineup of colors,

and in France it's known as a piece worn by everyone from children to adults.

Made from 100% nylon, the Packable Windbreaker weighs a mere 280 grams or so.

It's highly breathable, so it won't trap moisture even on humid days or when you're sweating.

Thanks to its lightweight feel and front zipper design, it's easy to put on and take off.

It's cut with plenty of room from the shoulders down to the hem, so

you won't feel restricted even when wearing it over a layered cut-and-sew top.

At the same time, the hem features an adjustable drawstring that can be cinched snugly,

and the cuffs are gathered with elastic, keeping out cold drafts.

What's more, the Packable Windbreaker can be folded up and stored inside its own pocket.

Simply fold the whole jacket and tuck it into the turned-out right pocket, and

it becomes compact enough to fit easily inside a bag.

■Caring for K-WAY

The K-WAY Packable Windbreaker can be washed (by hand) at home.

・Dissolve a mild detergent in cold water below 30 degrees Celsius.

・Gently press-wash the windbreaker, then spin dry briefly.

・Dry it thoroughly in a well-ventilated spot out of direct sunlight. (We recommend drying it flat.)

※Please avoid wringing the garment so that it keeps its shape.

※If the garment isn't dried thoroughly, it may develop an odor, so please take care.

From the knitwear brand C.T.plage, which started in 2007,

the AIRY WOOL crew neck cardigan comes in pastel colors perfectly suited to spring styling.

When you hear "wool," you might first picture a winter material, but

this cardigan is knit thin, so you can wear it from spring right through early summer.

Wool also has excellent insulating properties, so simply draping it over your shoulders helps keep your body at a comfortable temperature.

Made from a fine fabric that seems to wrap air within it, its crew neck design

creates a gentle, feminine impression.

We recommend pairing the thin AIRY WOOL crew neck cardigan with a cut-and-sew top.

Since it's cut with a relatively relaxed fit rather than something snug,

it looks great even worn open, without buttoning it up.

It also has a sheer quality, so wearing it never feels stifling—part of its appeal is the cool, breezy impression it gives.

Meanwhile, the crew neck cardigan from tricotage de marmoutier

is made entirely from 100% cotton.

Thanks to a circular knitting technique called MAILLE,

there are no side seams under the arms, eliminating any bulky, uneven feeling when worn,

so it fits snugly against the body, creating a clean, streamlined silhouette.

The crew neck and slim design lend a classic, polished impression, so

try pairing it with simple innerwear and pants, or with a skirt in a cool, breathable fabric.

Since the design hugs the body closely, choosing a tank top, camisole,

or thin cut-and-sew top to wear underneath will help preserve its beautiful silhouette.

■Caring for Cardigans

For cardigans with buttons, we recommend gentle hand washing.

・Turn the cardigan inside out and gently press-wash it in water with a mild detergent dissolved in it.

・After rinsing, spin dry briefly.

・Dry flat in a shaded, well-ventilated place.

※To keep the cardigan's shape, please do not twist or press it firmly.

※Hanging the cardigan on a hanger to dry will stretch the fabric, so we recommend drying it flat.

When choosing an outer layer for rainy days, it's best to pick one you don't mind getting wet.

RAINS is a raincoat that covers you completely from the shoulders down to knee length.

Born in Denmark, a country with many rainy days, RAINS was created with the wish to help people

stay positive and comfortable even on rainy days, and the brand crafts stylish raincoats

that blend naturally into everyday life.

The Long Jacket, with its clean, elongated silhouette, is made with plenty of room in the body and sleeves,

so it won't look bulky even when layered over several pieces of clothing.

The outer surface is made of a highly water-repellent polyester material, and there are ventilation holes under the cover on the back,

which keeps rain out while preventing stuffiness.

The Curve Jacket, featuring a waist belt, is designed so you can achieve a feminine style even while wearing a raincoat.

By cinching the waist belt, you can wear it just like a trench coat,

making it a raincoat you'll want to wear even on days it isn't raining.

The Poncho is a type you pull over your head to wear.

Compared to the Long Jacket and Curve Jacket, the body section has

a more relaxed fit, and since there are no buttons, it's easier to move your lower body.

For this reason, it's recommended for situations where you'll be moving around, such as riding a bicycle.

■Caring for your RAINS raincoat

RAINS can be cared for using your home washing machine or by hand washing.

Please wash it after it has been exposed to rain.

・If using a washing machine, please place it in a laundry net.

・After spinning, dry it thoroughly right away in a shaded, well-ventilated place.

※Please note that insufficient drying can cause odors.

When you wear clothing and go about actions like sitting and walking,

the fabric inevitably wears thin or frays.

No matter what clothes you wear, durability declines with use,

but choosing materials that prioritize durability is one way to keep wearing something for a long time.

The Yarmo work coat is recommended for those looking for an outer layer that will last for years.

As the name "work coat" suggests, the brand originally made workwear for

people working at British ports, which is why

it's built to be resistant to friction and dirt, with a practical construction.

The outer fabric uses a diagonal weave called "twill," while the lining is a "plain weave" twill cotton fabric,

and because the weave differs between the outer and inner layers, differences in stretch create a slight distortion, giving it a distinctively relaxed, worn-in feel.

This distortion naturally creates a layer of air between the outer and inner fabrics,

resulting in a plump, full shape, which makes it work well as an outer layer even when layered over other clothes underneath.

As you wash it, the fabric develops a slight nap and gradually becomes softer,

so another appeal is how it molds to your body the more you wear it.

■Caring for your work coat

Please wash your Yarmo work coat at the change of seasons or

whenever it becomes soiled or sweaty.

・When washing at home, please place it in a laundry net before washing.

・After washing, dry it thoroughly in a shaded, well-ventilated place.

※We recommend washing it separately, as there is a risk of color transfer.

※Please note that leaving it in direct sunlight for extended periods may cause fading.