Both the Jacket and Slacks Are ¥1,990! Workman's 'Addictive Cool-Touch' Suit Shatters Expectations with Its Price and Features, Becoming a Summertime Savior.

Workman has consistently rolled out a variety of products designed to 'protect you from the sweltering heat.' These items span a wide range from workwear to sports, outdoor, and everyday apparel, all earning high praise from customers.

The latest items to incorporate this heat-tackling expertise are the 'Yami-tsuki Reikan Stretch Jacket' and 'Yami-tsuki Reikan Stretch Slacks' we're showcasing today. In addition to features that combat intense heat, this suit offers exceptional freedom of movement thanks to its high-stretch fabric and easy-care convenience—it's machine washable at home—making it a comprehensive solution to summertime stress.

What's more, both the jacket and slacks are priced at an incredibly low ¥1,990. Shunya Handa, the lead developer, explains, "I wanted to eliminate a situation where people decide against buying a suit simply because of the high price tag." Behind this product's outstanding features and design lies a glimpse into Workman's unshakable philosophy on pricing.

Fabric Adapted from Sportswear

The name includes 'Addictive Cool-Touch.' Is the secret in the fabric?

We use a fabric made of 80% nylon and 20% polyurethane. The cool-touch sensation comes directly from the nylon fibers. The polyurethane is included to enhance stretchability.

Actually, this is a fabric we already use in Workman's sportswear category. We decided to adapt it for this new jacket and slacks.

Was this fabric developed in-house?

Yes, it's our original fabric. At Workman, we manufacture over 20,000 units of a single item. This volume gives us economies of scale, allowing us to create original materials and fabrics perfectly suited for each product.

Besides the cool-touch sensation, what other features does it have?

It's highly stretchable and provides UV protection. It's also wrinkle-resistant, holds its shape well, and is easy to care for—you can just toss it in the washing machine.

Did you face any challenges when creating a jacket and slacks from sportswear fabric?

Since the fabric was originally developed for sportswear, it's quite soft. But with a suit, that 'crisp' look is essential, right? So, we focused on pattern work to create a sharp silhouette even with this soft material.

Making a suit is vastly different from making typical casual wear. It's hard to create a quality product without professional expertise and know-how. Fortunately, our production team included a pattern maker with years of experience in suiting from other companies, which allowed us to create a product that fully incorporates that expertise.

A 'Put-Together' Look Perfect for School Events

Could you walk us through the specific features of the suit?

To keep it lightweight, both the jacket and slacks are unlined and single-layered. The jacket features patch pockets, which gives it a more casual feel. Thanks to these pockets, you won't feel out of place, like you're wearing a stuffy business suit on the weekend.

The jacket has a two-button front and is ventless. Because the fabric stretches both vertically and horizontally, we didn't need to add a vent.

The slacks have a casual design as well.

The slacks are flat-front (no-tuck). Again, the reason is to make them easy to pair with casual outfits. We've added elastic to the sides of the waistband and included an internal drawcord, so you can wear them without a belt.

There's also a zippered pocket on the right hip, which is perfect for securing valuables. You won't have to worry about things falling out, for instance, when getting in and out of a car.

It looks like it'll be a versatile player, great for everything from business hours to your days off.

It's what you'd call a business casual setup. I think its appeal lies in its smart yet relaxed vibe. You could say it has that "just right" feel for something like a parent-teacher conference.

So, is the target audience men in the prime of their careers?

We pictured men in their late 30s and 40s. This is a generation where kids are expensive, and they want to spend as much as they can on them. Naturally, their own clothing tends to take a backseat. At the same time, they still need to be mindful of what they wear to work.

I figured that if an affordable suit like this became an option for that generation, they'd be thrilled.

Affordability Lets Users Experiment

So, could you walk us through the development process for this suit?

The idea was simple: if we could create a suit that wasn't a chore to wear in hot weather, our customers would love it. That was the starting point for development. It occurred to me that we could use the cool-touch fabric we already incorporate into our sportswear. From that initial idea, it took us about a year to bring the product to market.

Were you getting requests from customers for a “cool suit?”

We did receive some requests from customers, yes. To meet that demand, we had made “cool suits” on a smaller scale before. But the price was around 3,900 yen for just the jacket or just the slacks. In other words, they were much pricier than this new set.

Even 3,900 yen feels pretty reasonable. Why did you push for an even lower price?

When you see a 3,900 yen item on the shelf in a Workman store, it still feels a bit on the expensive side. But if the jacket and slacks are each priced around 1,990 yen, you can buy them together as a suit and still feel like you're getting a great deal, right?

Lowering the price allows people to try out clothes they're curious about. It expands their options. This isn't just about this suit; pursuing affordability to create positive outcomes for our customers is something Workman holds very dear.

In fact, our decision to offer colors like khaki green and beige is also closely tied to the price. It's tough to commit to colors like these, which might be worn less frequently, when a suit costs 20,000 or 30,000 yen. But at around 1,990 yen per piece, I think people can try them out without a second thought.

By meticulously balancing function and price, this setup shatters the conventional wisdom that "a suit has to be expensive."

Practicality for beating the heat and a price point accessible to everyone—this combination lowers the barrier to entry for choosing clothes and opens up a world of new possibilities.