STORIES Vol.5 Gathering fashion lovers to review "Azuma knit sweatshirt"

Taro B: This time, for the first time, Taro has created a sweatshirt with fleece lining.

We also have a hanging fleece sweatshirt that has already been released, but this one is made on the same old Azuma knitting machine, giving it a slightly different texture.

Please try it out and let us know how it differs from hang-woven fleece and your honest opinion!



A-san (male employee in his 40s) : Wow. The fabric is thick. It looks like it won't lose its shape easily. It seems like it has better heat retention than sweatshirts with hanging fleece.

I've always loved vintage clothing, so I have a few pieces of hanging fleece. They fit the body well, feel like clothing that grows with you, and go well with denim.

I really liked the fabric because it showed up as wrinkles when you bend your arms, which was a nice touch.

I'm sorry, but I haven't heard much about Azuma knitting (lol)


Taro B: As you said, it has great heat retention. It's because it's fleece lined, but the fabric is so dense that it's really warm (laughs).

 Azuma knitting is a fabric made on a very rare knitting machine that was used more than 50 years ago, so it may not be that popular. It is knitted slowly at a low speed, so the production efficiency is low, but in return it produces a sturdy fabric.



B-san (female employee in her 20s): The shine and smoothness are completely different. The fabric is sturdy, so even if you wear it by itself it doesn't look like pajamas, which is nice.

I think the ribbing has a better hold. It also adds some definition, so it looks like it can be coordinated with a wider range of outfits.


Ms. C (Female employee in her 20s): That's true. I only had sweatshirts for pajamas, but this kind of thick fabric doesn't feel like loungewear, which is nice.

Will this also last a long time? Will it get floppy even after washing?

Taro B: Of course, it will last a long time! It is made as well as the hang-knit fleece. And as you can tell by touching it, it is quite thick, so you won't have to worry about it getting worn out or wrinkled.



Taro B: Actually, we've made some changes to the size and silhouette, but did you notice?


B-san (female employee in her 20s): I noticed! (laughs)
To be honest, I thought Taro's previous clothes were a little too casual for me to wear, but with the size and fabric of the new clothes, I could imagine myself wearing them. I think it's become much easier for women to choose.

A-san (male employee in his 40s) : I think it's definitely a silhouette that will appeal to a wider range of people. I feel like the hanging fleece has a bit of a masculine element to it.

Ms. C (female employee in her 20s): In terms of size, how much difference is there between this and a hang-sewn fleece sweatshirt?


Taro B: The length is the same, but the shoulder width and body width are about 2cm shorter. The hanging fleece is a little wider, and the Azuma knit is a fairly just-right fit.


Mr. A (male employee in his 40s) : With these different fabric textures and sizes, it seems like it would be good to use different ones depending on the season.

The hanging knitting machine has just the right amount of breathability, so it can be worn for a long period from autumn to spring, while the Azuma knitting machine has good heat retention, so it can be worn in autumn and winter.


C-san (female employee in her 20s): You can use it for different occasions. I think Azuma knitting can also be worn for office casual wear.


Taro B: That's true, the fabric textures are different and the silhouettes are also different, so it would be nice if you could use them in different ways.



Taro B: Finally, this is our first attempt at making sweatpants. What do you think? (laughs)

B-san (female employee in her 20s): Oh, this is nice. The tightness around the ankle is just right. It can be worn with a dressy look, or with sneakers for a casual look. If it were me, I'd probably wear it with boots.


Ms. C (female employee in her 20s): Considering Taro's previous image, it was quite a bold move to make these pants!

I had a strong image of denim in my mind, so this is surprising (laughs).

Taro B: They are definitely pants unlike anything else out there (laughs). Thankfully, more people of all ages and genders have started to buy our products recently, so we would like to make it a brand that even more people can wear.

It would be ideal if we could continue selling denim as before, but also successfully incorporate new items.