Over 680,000 Units Sold! The Double-Layer Technology That "Locks In" Underarm Sweat: Why Nissen's 'Takiasessan' Hasn't Stopped Evolving for 10 Years

As a functional innerwear designed to alleviate the discomfort of summer, Nissen's 'Takiasessan' series has been a fan favorite since its 2015 launch. With total sales surpassing 680,000 units, it has become a summer staple for the company.

Why is 'Takiasessan' so beloved and consistently chosen? We spoke with Ai Ikeuchi and Miyuki Suda, the minds behind its development, to uncover the meticulous details poured into its functionality and design.

A Double-Layer Pad to Minimize Underarm Sweat Stains

Nissen has a long history of creating items to tackle summer woes. They had even released products with sweat-absorbent, quick-drying materials and simple sweat pads before 'Takiasessan' came along.

However, the sweat pads on those earlier products weren't particularly high-performance, leading to feedback like, "It can't absorb all my underarm sweat," and "Sweat stains still show up because the pad gets overwhelmed."

Suda: "Our survey data confirmed once again that 'sweat' is the main cause of discomfort in the summer. The results also showed that a staggering 66% of women are worried about sweat stains, with underarm stains being a major concern for many. The increasingly intense summer heat each year only makes this problem more serious.

The products we offered before 'Takiasessan' had small sweat pads that couldn't prevent stains over a wide area. But just making the pad bigger isn't enough to absorb a large amount of sweat. That's why, for the first time, we decided to develop 'Takiasessan' with a specific focus on the pad's performance."

Many people find they can't fully enjoy fashion in the summer due to concerns like, "I can't wear colors like gray or light blue that make underarm sweat stains obvious," or, "I'm too self-conscious about sweat stains to raise my arms." 'Takiasessan' is the solution to these problems.

The standout feature of 'Takiasessan' is its oversized sweat-absorbing pad, designed to cover the entire underarm area. This pad features a specially processed double-layer construction that securely traps sweat and prevents it from soaking through to your clothes.

Ikeuchi: "We used a cotton-blend fabric for the skin-facing side of the pad to ensure excellent sweat absorption. The reverse side of the fabric has a water-repellent finish, which prevents the absorbed sweat from soaking through to your clothes.

Furthermore, the entire garment is made from a sweat-wicking, quick-drying material to reduce clamminess and create a comfortable wearing experience."

Constantly Evolving: A Decade of Upgrades

The current 'Takiasessan' line just received a major upgrade this year. The fabric was made thinner, and the number of seams on the sweat-absorbing pads was reduced.

Ikeuchi: "While the previous fabric was sturdy, we received a lot of feedback that it was 'too hot to wear.' So, to ensure comfort even during recent heatwaves, we switched to a thinner, sweat-wicking, and quick-drying material.

In absorption and drying tests, the old version took about two seconds to absorb moisture and about 46 minutes for the moisture level to drop below 30%. In contrast, the new version absorbs in about one second and dries in about 34 minutes. In addition to the direct cooling effect of the thinner fabric, the material now absorbs sweat and dries faster, so it delivers a cooler feel than the previous model.

Furthermore, by revising the fabric, we also achieved a smoother texture and enhanced stretchability."

"We redesigned the seams on the sweat pads because the previous intricate stitching resulted in feedback like, 'It doesn't fit well in the armpit,' and 'The seam is scratchy against my skin.' By revising the pattern and sewing method, we enhanced the underarm fit for a much more comfortable feel."

With so many loyal customers, the team was understandably a bit nervous about a major fabric overhaul. But for years, users had been asking for improvements to the fabric and the fit under the arms. This feedback prompted the company to take the plunge and completely rethink the design.

Post-renewal, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with users commenting, "The bunching under the arms is gone," and "It feels cooler to wear than the old version." The updated product has even earned high marks from long-time fans within the company.

In fact, this isn't the first update for "Takiase." Over the decade since its debut, the product has seen numerous tweaks, both big and small. The demand for innerwear evolves not just from user experience but also from changing fashion trends.

Suda: "As fashion evolves, so do the requirements for innerwear, from the width of the neckline to the length of the garment. To keep up, we've continuously made small adjustments, paying close attention to both customer feedback and current trends.

The most crucial part of our product development process is listening to our customers. We re-evaluate our products based on everything from online reviews to requests we hear during phone orders."

Nissen's commitment to meeting diverse needs is evident in its product lineup. It goes beyond basic short-sleeve shirts and tank tops, offering a wide array of styles like French-sleeve boleros and body briefers.

Ikeuchi: "The French-sleeve bolero, for instance, was created to solve a unique dilemma for those who sweat a lot: 'I'm concerned about underarm sweat, but I hate feeling hot.' While our main focus is on creating basic items that appeal to a broad audience, we actively explore ways to develop new products when we receive strong customer requests."

Users who've picked up "Takiase" are thrilled, sharing feedback like, "It's perfect for someone like me who sweats a lot," "It absorbs so much sweat, I feel really secure," and "Out of everything I've tried, this is the best at preventing noticeable sweat stains."

The secret to "Takiase's" decade-long success as a bestseller is simple: the company's unwavering dedication to listening to its users and making consistent improvements. It's clear they will continue to flexibly adapt to changing times and trends, developing products that meet the evolving needs of their customers.