Loop wheel sweat, one of MidiUmi's classic items
We make minor changes to the products almost every season.
A sweatshirt is basically a thick knit fabric made from cotton or other materials in a flat knit (stockinette stitch) style, with a smooth outer surface and a towel (pile) or brushed lining that is stretchy and has excellent moisture absorption and heat retention properties.
It is a training wear originally derived from sports developed in the United States in the 1920s.
In the 1950s, it became an essential item for the Ivy League look, symbolizing college culture.
The traditional Ivy League style evolved into preppy...
If I start writing, it will go on and on, so I'll stop here.
It is an item with such a long history.
The reason for this is that it is very comfortable to wear, absorbs sweat well, is stretchy, and has excellent cold and heat retention properties.
Nowadays, the world is filled with a variety of sweatshirts, from vintage-style sweatshirts that follow the fashions of the past, to sweatshirts made with high-performance materials, to sweatshirts that incorporate distinctive details from older eras.
(Some of them make you wonder if they can even be called sweatshirts.)
Sweatshirts are a complex subject, so I think it's important to consider what kind of values they can convey.
In this environment, MidiUmi continues to focus on Loop wheel sweat, and the value it offers is its comfort.
The fabric used is hanging fleece
Among these, we make fabric using the extremely valuable ``old-fashioned hanging knitting machine.''
Loopwheel knitting machines are no longer in production and are becoming increasingly rare worldwide.
There is still a factory in Wakayama Prefecture that stores and operates loop wheel knitting machines, making them extremely valuable.
Old-fashioned loopwheel knitting machines are slow, producing only about one meter per hour, which is 1/20 the speed of a regular knitting machine.
Because it is knitted slowly, there is almost no unnecessary force applied to the yarn, resulting in a fluffy finish.
In the past, many loop wheel knitting machines were in operation in Japan, but they are no longer in use today due to the current era of mass production and mass consumption. Although they are not very efficient in terms of production, old loop wheel knitting machines have a value (quality) that cannot be measured by efficiency alone.
The fabric is strong but not stiff, and it becomes more comfortable with each wear and wash.
This season, the ribbing around the neck has been made slightly thicker, incorporating classic sportswear details.
It has a tough yet somewhat masculine feel, but by making the size a little more compact and adding a relaxed feel with dropped shoulders, it has a finish that is not at all sloppy.
Colors are off-white and navy
The clean off-white would look good worn casually, and the classic traditional navy color would also look good when it fades and fades a little with repeated wearing and washing.
Although it is the same item, it seems like it will show off different personalities.
Another great feature is its versatility, as it can be used on its own for three seasons other than summer.
In the context of Ivy League fashion, I would highly recommend pairing traditional, elegant items such as a navy blazer, chinos, and loafers with a sweatshirt for a classic, casual look.
loopwheel sweat pullover
traditional blazer
utility cargo pants
loopwheele sweat parka (same material as loopwheele sweat pullover)
