INCOTEX: The Ultimate Basic, Crafted with a Signature Silhouette. Introducing the 2010 Spring/Summer Collection.

INCOTEX | Incotex

Ultimate Basics Achieved Through Meticulous Silhouettes

Incotex 2010 Spring/Summer Items Arrive

Founded in Venice in 1951, INCOTEX is a brand specializing in bottoms. Its greatest appeal lies in the beautiful silhouettes created from carefully selected materials and advanced manufacturing techniques. Now, new items for Spring/Summer 2010 have arrived from Incotex's women's line. We spoke with Noriko Kadota, from the Slowear planning and sales department, about their appeal and brand philosophy.

Text by OPENERSPhoto by JAMANDFIX

Popular Cropped Pants Now Available in Luxurious Lame-Mixed Fabric

—What is the brand concept of "Incotex"?

As a brand within the SLOWEAR group, Incotex aims to offer bottoms that are loved for a long time, transcending eras and generations. Therefore, we are extremely particular about both silhouette beauty and material quality for both men's and women's lines. This begins with selecting materials that create a flattering fit, making the legs appear longer and the hip line look beautiful. Since the appropriate material changes depending on the silhouette, we meticulously select materials that realize that silhouette while also being comfortable to wear. These are the points we pursue to make the silhouette look beautiful and to ensure the garments are loved for years to come.

—What are your key focuses for women's items?

Women's bodies have flowing, curvilinear forms, so we pay particular attention to the lines from the waist to the hips. To achieve these soft, feminine lines, Incotex women's items are generally not lined. If a lining were to protrude and show through, creating wrinkles, the beautiful silhouette would be compromised. While there are exceptions, we strive to avoid linings as much as possible to maximize the silhouette. To ensure comfort even without a lining, soft-touch materials are indispensable.

—What is your top recommendation among the newly released items this season?

This season, our popular cropped pants, now in their third year as a staple Incotex Spring/Summer item, are available in a lame-mixed fabric. It's a glamorous material where lame sparkles within linen and viscose. The silhouette is designed to be sleek from hip to hem, without any bagginess, which is its greatest charm. While conventionally, pockets or buttons on the back are used to flatter the figure, this cropped pant already possesses a perfect silhouette, so we have deliberately omitted all embellishments.

A key feature is the darts that run diagonally from the side. Darts are typically vertical, and if they don't align with the apex of the hip, they can create a noticeable bulge. By placing the darts on the side, these cropped pants achieve a smooth hip line.

Furthermore, the accent stitching on the darts has the effect of making the hip line appear lifted. This accent stitching is also applied to the pockets and hems, and the hand-stitched look adds movement to the simple design.

Incotex Lame-Mixed Fabric Cropped Pants

INCOTEX | Incotex

Ultimate Basics Achieved Through Meticulous Silhouettes

Incotex 2010 Spring/Summer Items Arrive

Picks from Our Extensive Lineup!

—What are your recommendations among the existing items?

While "Incotex" might be associated with full-length pants, this season I'd like to recommend the casual cigarette pants that debuted last year, offering a relaxed feel. Cigarette pants are a term for nine-tenths length pants with a straight silhouette, but even with the same wool fabric, the difference of just a sliver of ankle showing can make them feel entirely lighter.

Recently, "pagins" (pants + leggings) have been a popular trend, but these cigarette pants offer a middle ground – not as casual as pagins, yet lighter and more casual than full-length trousers. In wool, they are versatile enough for the office, and can be worn to parties when styled with more glamorous pieces. These cigarette pants are now gaining support as one of Incotex's new basics. Their slim fit pairs beautifully with voluminous tops like knits, dolman sleeves, or chiffon blouses.

Incotex Cigarette Pants

We also, of course, recommend our standard full-length pants. One of the key features of these straight-leg pants is the wide waistband. Although the rise is actually quite generous, the wider waistband creates a visually shallower appearance. This allows for a secure fit while maintaining a sleek, shorter-looking rise. The back view is similarly enhanced, with the wider belt making the hips appear smaller.

Incotex Full-Length Pants

Furthermore, the placement of the pockets and buttons significantly impacts how the hips appear. Pockets placed closer to the center make the hips look narrower, while those further apart can make them appear wider. After much trial and error, considering how to best minimize the appearance of the hips, we arrived at the current button placement. These straight-leg pants are an item where such subtle details are incorporated throughout. While not immediately obvious, if you try on these standard straight-leg pants, you will truly understand the essence of Incotex. The key to wearing these pants beautifully is to not pull them up too high; aim for a position where the hip bones align with the center of the waistband. When choosing a size, prioritize fit around the hips over the waist. The way the hips and thighs fit smoothly is crucial for a flattering look. Pants that are too large at the waist, causing fabric to bunch around the hips, are not aesthetically pleasing. Choose a size that fits your hips and adjust the waist accordingly. This alone can significantly alter the silhouette.

Incotex has traditionally been favored by discerning individuals with extensive experience in fashion, those who recognize quality. Perhaps due to this experience, our customer base tends to be in their late 30s to 40s. However, the sophisticated, simple, and basic designs subtly enhance trendy styles without appearing overtly fashionable, so we are keen to recommend them to those in their 20s as well. Please try them on at least once. We are confident you will feel the difference in the quality of the materials and the beauty of the silhouette.

—Thank you very much.