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You Can't Get a Better Summer Suit than This! The Performance of Workman's "Summer Suit Jacket & Pants with CALCULO"
Although the casualization of business fashion has progressed, there are still many situations where one must wear a suit, even in summer. Apparel companies propose summer suits made with the latest materials almost every season.
Workman, which excels in high-performance workwear, will confidently launch the "Summer Suit Jacket & Pants with CALCULO" as a "suit that can be worn comfortably even in summer" for Spring/Summer 2025. What exactly makes it "comfortable even in summer"? We spoke to Shinnosuke Kawata, Chief Buyer of Product Development Department 1 at Workman Co., Ltd., with assistance from Koji Yamada, the official ambassador for Workman.
(*For convenience, we refer to these products as "suits" in this article, but the Workman products highlighted here are sold separately as jackets and pants and can be worn as a set-up.)
Koji Yamada (hereafter, Yamada)The first suit released by Workman came out in 2021, which I collaboratively developed, called "SOLOTEX Reversible Work Suit Jacket, 2WAY Work Suit Pants." It coincided with the period when Workman's popularity was rapidly expanding, so it received extensive media coverage.
Shinnosuke Kawata (hereafter, Kawata)This product was born out of the challenge of how Workman, which had only handled work uniforms, could expand its customer base. The idea was that not only those who work on-site but also people who wear business suits are all "workers." This is how the suit planning began.
YamadaHow was the sales performance?
KawataIt was a massive success. In the field, there are many people—such as sales personnel—who must wear suits. For them, our products, which are affordable and treated with water-repellent technology to prevent mud and dirt from sticking, and which can be easily washed if they do get dirty, were very well received. The suits made with SOLOTEX material are still available as year-round items.
YamadaThat same year, as a summer product, "DotAir Reversible Work Suit Jacket, 2WAY Work Suit Pants" was also released.
KawataThe fabric had countless tiny holes in it, which provided excellent breathability; it sold very well. However, there was also the downside that the shirt worn underneath could become see-through.
To beat out that shortcoming, we developed the "SOLOTEX 2WAY Seersucker Suit Jacket & Pants." This also had a non-sticking touch, which created a refreshing feel that was highly popular.
KawataAnd starting with Spring/Summer 2025, we're introducing the "Summer Suit Jacket & Pants with CALCULO" to replace the seersucker as a new spring and summer suit. Since seersucker sold very well, this is quite a bold challenge.
YamadaCALCULO is a term I’m not familiar with, but it’s the name of the material, isn’t it?
KawataIt is a high-performance fiber developed by Teijin Frontier, known for its excellent moisture-wicking and quick-drying properties. The cross-section of the CALCULO fiber published on the Teijin Frontier website shows that it is jagged and random, making it difficult for light to penetrate.
In other words, it not only has heat insulation properties but is also lightweight and has a dry touch, making it the perfect material for summer suits.
Yamada(holding the jacket) It is indeed very light. Moreover, the texture feels rough, which seems like it would allow sweat to escape easily.
KawataIt seems that this material was originally developed for sports. I've heard that Workman is the first to use it as a suit fabric.
YamadaThe "SOLOTEX Reversible Work Suit Jacket & 2WAY Work Suit Pants" released in 2021 were packed with functional details typical of Workman, including a reversible design.
KawataMany of these functions were carefully selected based on customer feedback and employee opinions, resulting in much simpler specifications in recent products. Among these, the snap buttons at the sleeves that make it easy to roll up the arms remain a constant feature. Personally, I find it very useful because it makes my watch easier to see when the button is fastened.
KawataWe also continue with the roll-up strap that allows for easy and compact storage.
KawataThe cost savings from features like the reversible design have been redirected to incorporate mesh materials into the lining.
KawataThe "Summer Suit Pants with CALCULO" also leverage the experience gained from previous products, selecting only the essential details. One feature that has been particularly well received is the drawstring on the pants. When using the string, it can be tied on the outside, and when not in use, it can be tucked away inside.
KawataI believe the pants have been developed to a very high level, with features like a silicone stopper to prevent tucked-in shirts from riding up, and a back waistband elastic to enhance fit.
KawataLike the jacket, the roll-up strap and snap button at the pants' hem have also been adopted.
KawataWe've received a lot of positive feedback about the snap buttons, as they help prevent dirt on the hems while working.
YamadaWere there any special challenges in producing the suits?
KawataThe pants are made in the same factory as other workwear, but jackets must be sewn in factories that specialize in suits. In particular, the piping attached to the backside of the armhole is somewhat difficult to handle in typical workwear factories.
Although specialized factories tend to have higher labor costs, we were able to achieve a price of 2,900 yen through bulk ordering.
You Can't Make a Better Summer Suit than This!
KawataI get really hot, so I can't wear a normal suit during the summer. That’s why the summer suits are something I need the most (laughs).
YamadaIt seems that the developer himself is the target audience (laughs). It’s understandable why he is so passionate about product creation.
KawataSo I'm really looking forward to summer. I want to try wearing the "Summer Suit Jacket & Pants with CALCULO" this summer to see how cool they really are. I take pride in saying that this setup has been developed to the point where it could be considered the best summer suit possible.
However, as with previous products, I believe that once I wear it myself, I'll find some areas for improvement. My style of development is to reflect the improvements I find into next year’s designs.
YamadaThere’s no end to product development (laughs). I look forward to what’s next.
PROFILE
Shinnosuke Kawata
Chief Buyer (Work & Outdoor) of Product Development Division 1, Workman Co., Ltd.
PROFILE
Koji Yamada
Fashion Analyst / Official Workman Ambassador
Active as a freelancer, primarily focusing on his fashion blog "TOKYO FASHION DIG." Author of "結局、男の服は普通がいい 世界一かんたん、一生使えるオシャレの方程式" (KADOKAWA).
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