[Designer Clothes Talk Vol.1] What is "Warm Clothes"? How Materials and Air Weave to Stay Comfortable in Winter

Hello, I'm Narita, a designer at Nanafu.

The weather has suddenly become very cold, and we are now in the season where we long for hot drinks and blankets.
Up until now, Nanafu has focused on conveying the appeal of our products, but from now on we will be changing our perspective a little and starting a column that will talk about the ``interesting aspects of the clothes themselves'' and the ``depth of the materials'' from the perspective of the designers who make them.

The title is "Designer talks about clothes."

In this first installment, we will talk about what warm clothes are, something that we are all probably looking for right now.

Is it true that wool = warm?

When choosing winter clothes, do you look at the quality information on the tag and decide, "It's warm because it contains wool" or "It's cold because it's polyester"?

In fact, warmth is not determined solely by the name of the material.
Of course, cashmere and fine wool are the best examples of warm materials, but sometimes a thick, tightly woven cotton is warmer than a thin wool.

When I define "warmth" from a designer's perspective, I focus on two main points.

• How much air can be stored?
• Can you maintain humidity?

When these two things come together, clothes can truly keep you warm.

The true nature of warmth is wrapping yourself in "air"

Do you know why down jackets are so warm? It's because they trap a lot of "still air" between the feathers. It's the same principle as a thermos.

The same goes for everyday wear and loungewear.

For example, Nanafu's Oshu wool haori.
This has a looped surface (like a towel), and the loops trap plenty of air, preventing the air warmed by body heat from escaping.

The same goes for the popular "Sashiko Jacquard."
This fabric has a double structure, creating a layer of air between the outer and inner layers. Furthermore, the textured surface, similar to sashiko, creates a fluffy cushion of air between the surface that comes into contact with the skin and the outside air.

"Wearing warm clothes" is another way of saying "wearing warm air."

Humidity and perceived temperature are often forgotten

Another important thing is humidity.

Have you ever worn a synthetic knit in the winter and felt that, although it was warm, it made your skin dry and itchy, or that it generated a lot of static electricity?
While synthetic fibers such as polyester are convenient because they dry quickly, they can also strip away essential moisture.

On the other hand, natural fibers such as cotton, silk, and wool have moderate "moisture retention (hygroscopicity)."

After a bath, your skin is moist. This product gently envelops your skin while maintaining just the right amount of moisture. It provides a moist, lasting warmth without the discomfort of dryness. This is the "gentle warmth" that only natural materials can provide.

Create a layered winter air layer

Finally, about dressing.
While it's nice to seek perfect warmth with just one piece of clothing, what Nanafu would like to suggest is "layering up" to create a layer of air .

Layer a soft cotton yukata over a breathable woolen haori.
This creates a layer of air between the yukata and haori, further enhancing the thermos effect.

Since there is no wind inside the house, there is no need for windproofing like a down jacket. Instead, by layering materials that trap air and keep the moisture off your skin, you can achieve the ultimate warmth that will melt your heart.

lastly

If you choose your clothes not only by checking the material, but also by considering things like, "Does this seem like it will trap air?" and "Does it seem like it will keep my skin moisturized?", the way you spend your winter may change a little.

The cold days are still continuing, but we hope you will spend a warm and healthy winter with Nanafu clothing.

"What's the material like?" "How should I wear it in this situation?"

If you have any questions about clothing that you might have or anything you would like to ask a designer, please feel free to contact us.

You can contact us using any tool, such as our official LINE, Instagram DM, or email.
We would like to use the feedback we have received from you saying you would like to know more as topics for future "clothing talks."

Well, see you in the next column.

This time's recommended items

These are the Nanafu items mentioned in the column that trap air and keep you warm.
Please take a look to enjoy this relaxing winter time.