Washable, Shape-Retaining, and Moves with You: A Deep Dive Into the Functionality of Right-on's "Made in Japan Knit"

Right-on Co., Ltd. (hereafter, Right-on) launched its "Made in Japan Knit Series" in November 2025. Standing apart from fast fashion, this collection strikes a perfect balance between premium quality and an accessible price point, representing the pinnacle of craftsmanship from Japan's renowned knitwear regions.

But this series is about more than just 'good materials.' It's engineered for 'wash-resistant durability,' 'shape retention,' and 'all-day comfort that moves with you.' We sat down with Noriaki Omi from Right-on's Production Management team and Shinsuke Kubota from Marukin Co., Ltd., the company responsible for production, to discuss the material design and sewing technology that make these three features possible.

'Made in Japan': The Solution for Market Demands and Faster Lead Times

In the apparel industry, the lead time from a product's conception to its arrival on store shelves is a constant challenge. For overseas production in particular, physical distance and customs hurdles make it tough to react quickly to market trends.

According to Omi, Right-on's decision to pivot back to 'Made in Japan' was a strategic move, not just a nostalgic return to their roots.

"Our product development process used to involve long lead times. With overseas production, we were looking at an average of three to four months, and sometimes up to half a year. But to quickly transform customer demand into actual products, we realized that producing in Japan, where we're physically closer to our consumers, gives us a major advantage."

Kubota, who oversees the production floor, echoes this sentiment, highlighting the speed of domestic manufacturing.

"When we produce overseas, we have to forecast trend colors six months in advance. By the time the products hit the shelves, there's often a mismatch with what customers actually want. With Japanese production, the initial run might take just over two months, but we can turn around additional orders in under a month. This lets us deliver what customers want, when they want it, which also helps cut down on inventory waste."

A shift in consumer mindset also fueled this development. Today, Right-on's goal is to achieve 'the ultimate balance between price and value,' says Omi.

"It's not as simple as saying, 'it's good just because it's made in Japan.' The real challenge, and where we constantly push ourselves, is figuring out how to incorporate current trends and the features our customers care about most, all while maintaining the right price point."

The Engineering Behind the Knit: From Material Selection to Innovative 'Cut-and-Sew' Construction

The collection's standout feature is its meticulous engineering, from the choice of materials right down to the construction. It all starts with the yarn. For the outer fabric, they chose a special type of yarn called 'semi-worsted' (semi-somou).

Kubota explains, "When you think of winter knits, you typically have smooth 'worsted' (somou) yarn and fluffy 'woolen' (boumou) yarn. Semi-worsted sits right in the middle. It's the best of both worlds—it has an elegant sheen but is also soft and warm."

While this semi-worsted yarn is used for the face of the fabric, a 100% polyester yarn is integrated into the back using a jacquard knit. This is the secret behind the collection's unique structure and its 'lightweight, washable, and shape-retaining' properties.

"Knitting polyester into the back gives the fabric just the right amount of thickness and stretch," says Kubota. "This means it's comfortable to wear because the fabric moves with you, and it also keeps the garment lightweight. By using a different yarn for the back, we also boost the strength and shape stability of the side that touches your skin."

Another can't-miss feature of this material blend is that it's machine-washable at home. According to third-party testing, the knitwear shows minimal change in size or appearance even after being washed five times in 40°C water.

"Materials with an acrylic blend can often have their ribbing stretch out after a few wears, but this new material has passed our tests with flying colors. We believe that easy-care, machine-washable clothing is a must-have for today's lifestyle," says Omi.

And to bring out the best in this material, the team adopted a "knit-sew" technique, a sewing method inspired by cut-and-sew garment production. While most knitwear is created using "full-fashion knitting," where each piece is knitted directly into its final shape, this series takes a different approach: cutting the knitted fabric from a pattern and then sewing it together.

"With full-fashion knitting, machine constraints can make it tricky to achieve certain silhouettes. But with the knit-sew method, we cut the fabric based on a pattern, giving us the freedom to create delicate curves and three-dimensional shapes. It also has an advantage when it comes to production speed," explains Kubota.

A crucial element here is the "overlock finishing" technique. An overlock machine is used to stitch the raw edges of the knit fabric to prevent unraveling, but its role goes far beyond simple edge finishing.

"The overlock machine, which is also used for cut-and-sew pieces, is calibrated so its seams stretch and contract along with the fabric. This allows the seams to move with you when you're putting it on, taking it off, or just going about your day, just like a T-shirt. The result is a comfortable fit without any tightness. At the same time, for key areas like the neckline, we combine this with a highly skilled artisan technique called 'linking,' where each stitch is meticulously picked up and joined together. Using a standard lockstitch would create a bulky, restrictive seam allowance. Linking, however, results in a clean finish that feels smooth against the skin and preserves the fabric's natural stretch," says Kubota.

It’s this hybrid approach—blending cutting-edge material design, efficient cut-and-sew construction, and traditional linking techniques—that truly underpins the quality of this knitwear.

This technical expertise is clearly reflected in the design. The latest silhouette was crafted for a modern, unisex fit.

"We made the men's size L slightly shorter than average, at about 70 cm. In exchange, we gave it a roomier width and dropped shoulders, striking a balance between a relaxed feel and a touch of class," notes Omi.

Thanks to the fabric's inherent structure, it drapes beautifully without clinging to the body, creating an elegant three-dimensional shape.

"Working from Omi's specs, we went through several samples and numerous fittings. We obsessed over every detail, from the fit of the neckline to the subtle slope of the front," Kubota adds.

A world of trial and error to perfect the pattern lies hidden within its simple design.

Over 20 Steps, Mastered by Artisans in Niigata and Osaka

This series is brought to life by partner factories in Niigata and Osaka prefectures, two of Japan's most renowned knitwear hubs. Both regions boast a rich history in the textile industry and are home to a wealth of skilled artisans.

Completing a single knit garment involves around 20 distinct steps, including 'knitting' the fabric from yarn, 'washing' to develop its texture, 'cutting,' 'sewing' with an overlock machine, 'linking,' and finally, 'finishing' and 'inspection.'

"For example, freshly knitted fabric is quite rough, so we wash it to bring out its texture. After that, we need a process to properly set the fabric before cutting. While every step is crucial, linking, in particular, demands expert skill," explains Kubota.

Even in our modern era of increasing automation, this one process still has to rely on the human eye and hand.

"Only a truly seasoned expert can perform the linking process. With challenges like an aging workforce and a shortage of successors, artisans who possess these skills are incredibly precious. A skilled artisan can finish the neckline of a garment in about seven to eight minutes, but even then, the number they can complete in a single day is limited," Kubota notes.

While machines handle the automated parts, a human touch is unsparingly applied to the steps that are key to quality. To meet tight deadlines, seamless collaboration between the artisans at each stage and their exceptional individual skills are absolutely essential.

A Legacy of Skill Forging the Next-Generation Standard

Right-on's goal isn't a purely nostalgic return to the "Made in Japan" label. It's about creating new value by integrating Japanese materials, machinery, and artisan skills into a modern supply chain.

Omi summed up his vision for the future.

"The 'Made in Japan' label isn't the end goal. It's about leveraging Japanese technology, materials, and our production environment to offer customers high-value products at reasonable prices. We believe this will ultimately safeguard Japan's manufacturing heritage and pass it on to the next generation. Through clothing that can be loved for years to come, we want to communicate the core value of Right-on."

In the ever-shifting fashion industry, continuing to offer "enduring value" is a challenge. It's a goal only made possible through a combination of the latest technology, master craftsmanship, and the corporate will to unite them. Right-on's "Made in Japan" knit series is one such vision for the future of apparel.