Part 45: Tales of "Attire" – Functional Innerwear
Lounge
May 11, 2015

Part 45: Tales of "Attire" – Functional Innerwear


The 45th: Tales of "Clothing" - Functional Innerwear


These days, sports seem to have become a fashion genre in themselves, with people training their bodies daily or incorporating sportswear into their casual wardrobes. This time, I, who don't play any sports other than skiing, want to talk about "functional innerwear" that impressed me after actually wearing it.


Narration by Maki YoshidaSummary by Fuyuki TogawaPhoto by Jamandfix




Simply Wearing It Corrects Your Posture



Abruptly, as the cold sets in, we see more people walking around town with their backs hunched. For my chronic cervical disc herniation, a posture with rounded shoulders is particularly bad, and the increased pain during this season is a real concern. But the trouble is, apart from maintaining good posture, there's no proactive treatment for this herniation.

So, since the autumn of the year before last, I've become a devoted user of ASICS' "functional innerwear." This shirt looks simple. Although I believe it was originally developed for athletes, it uses particularly strong elastic fabric in the back, and when you wear it, it naturally opens your chest and feels like it pulls your shoulder blades firmly towards the center.
This sets the shoulder blades in the correct position, allowing your shoulders to lift smoothly, supporting athletes in improving their performance... That's the manufacturer's sales pitch, but it truly corrects posture, makes movement easier, and alleviates the pain from my herniation.

Innerwear with a New Philosophy



Having skied as a hobby for many years, I've had my share of experiences with underwear that excels in warmth or materials that don't get stuffy even when you sweat. Also, shapewear that enhances your figure and makes you look good might still be a popular product for women, both in the past and present.
However, innerwear that corrects your body axis simply by wearing it, makes all your joints move more easily, and is expected to improve athletic performance—and moreover, can help prevent injuries—has only emerged in the last few years, hasn't it? The concept itself seems different from the philosophy of innerwear until now.

The 45th: Tales of "Clothing" - Functional Innerwear



I constantly advocate the theory that while appearance is important in design, "superior functionality" is paramount. So, when this innerwear actually eased the pain in my neck, I was not only greatly surprised but also deeply impressed.
Good design with excellent functionality had finally arrived even in innerwear.

However, the fatal flaw is the sight of myself reflected in the mirror, clad in a strong-stretch, sleeveless shirt that somewhat hides my flabby physique. Oh my... this is potent (laughs). Of course, it's just innerwear, so there's no need to show it to others, and I understand that personal preferences vary, but...
I just heard that there are both short-sleeved and long-sleeved types available, so if you're considering purchasing one, please examine them carefully (laughs).
This season too, I intend to play to my heart's content in the snow, aided by this inner shirt...