【NEW RAL PROJECT for SUMMER】RAL meets holk / Player Short Sleeve Shirt

The rainy season left behind an incredible parting gift. The damage caused by the prolonged and heavy rains this week is immense, and I would like to express my deepest sympathies to everyone affected by this disaster. I also sincerely hope that you, our readers, will join us in extending your support so that those affected can return to their normal lives as soon as possible.
　

【July 2018 Heavy Rain Disaster】Emergency Disaster Relief Fund

　
However, today the sky started clearing from the thin clouds of the morning, and by afternoon, we were in the middle of true summer weather. Summer here in Nagoya is famous for being severe—the kind where sweat starts to ooze out just by moving a little bit. It’s easy to settle into a casual style of T-shirts, shorts, and sandals, and perhaps because of that, our focus tends to loosen up a bit too.

But it is precisely because of this season that I want to pull myself together, brace my spirit to "go out and play," and fully commit to everything from activities like riding and hiking to running errands in town, eating out, and even working.

　
We wanted a chambray shirt that we could wear anytime, anywhere, and for any occasion. Our RAL meets holk / Player Shirt, which we created by pouring in those stubborn wishes, was very well received and is now sold out. But it is back in a new guise as a short-sleeve style, perfect for enjoying the upcoming summer even more comfortably.
　


　
The second installment of RAL meets Holk, the Player Short Sleeve Shirt, achieves ease of movement through the pattern of the shirt itself—just like the Player Shirt we introduced the other day—through precise adjustments to the body width and armholes, the height of the yoke, and the placement of the darts. For this version, considering comfort during the hot summer, we used a COOL MAX®︎ chambray fabric, a blend of polyester and cotton that provides breathability to release body heat and allow the breeze to reach the skin, while also offering moisture-wicking and quick-drying properties to handle large amounts of sweat.

The sweat that pours out in large quantities during this season is absorbed to some extent by an inner T-shirt or base layer, but if the shirt itself doesn’t have solid moisture-wicking and quick-drying functions, that sweat will saturate internally, leaving the body in a very uncomfortable state. Therefore, true comfort is only created by maximizing those functions.
　

　
Of course, it also features the same large back pocket as the long-sleeve version. It’s deep and very convenient for storing frequently accessed items like your smartphone, wallet, or keys. Also, having items in your pants pockets in the summer can cause stuffiness and discomfort, so using this back pocket helps mitigate that. You can even store a notebook or a paperback book—items you might want to bring along on a whim—eliminating the need to carry even a pouch-sized bag, allowing you to spend your summer days with a simpler, lighter style.
　

　
This time, it comes in two chambray colors: blue and gray. We chose rubber buttons like those on rugby shirts, considering they can help prevent injury in the event of a fall, and finished them to look as refined as possible to match the fabric colors.

Having said that, since the chambray shirt is based on a work shirt, we strongly hope that you will wear it with love until the collar starts to fray from being worn too much.
　

　　
　
Once again, we were able to realize our ideas thanks to the cooperation of holk, a brand that started this spring in our local Aichi Prefecture.

holk's products are created with the concept of "clothing for people close to us," crafted through processes from weaving to sewing by skilled artisans in small factories in the Bishu region of western Aichi Prefecture, where the textile industry has long flourished. Today, as the aging of artisans and the decline of the textile industry are cause for concern, they are working with young artisans to learn techniques and create products that will be passed down to future generations. They strive for products that enrich the hearts of everyone involved, from those who make them to those who actually hold them in their hands.
　
　

Following the first run of the cotton Player Shirt, which was well-received and sold out, we hope that even more of you will be able to wear this second installment, the Player Short Sleeve Shirt.
　
We are currently in the middle of preparing for the fall, including not only a restock of the Player Shirt but also various other developments.
Please look forward to the future of RAL meets holk.