The clothing I've worn most over the past few years
I’d like to talk about the item of clothing I’ve worn most frequently over the last few years.
It’s a 100% merino wool long-sleeve T-shirt from ONC MERINO.
I first discovered it during a business trip to Tokyo in the spring of 2024.
At that time, I kept seeing these micro-striped long-sleeve T-shirts on social media.
The texture and silhouette both looked great, and I had a hunch that the style would fit my standard look perfectly.
Around that time, I learned that they were holding a pop-up store while I happened to be in Tokyo for work.
"I have to go!"
Thinking that, I headed to the venue and picked one up in person.
It was 100% merino wool, to boot.
And the moment I held it, I was certain that this piece would become a staple in my wardrobe.
It was over twenty years ago that I first started paying attention to merino wool products.
That was when I got my hands on a mid-layer from Ullfrotté (now WOOLPOWER).
The pile-knit lining wasn't itchy like a sweater, and it felt incredibly comfortable against my skin.
I'm pretty sure I picked up an IBEX jacket around that same time, too.
While both were merino wool products, at the time I only really thought of them as comfortable winter cold-weather gear.
However, as I started cycling and was introduced to cycling jerseys and base layers from brands like Swobo and Rapha—and began wearing gear from outdoor brands that specialize in various merino wool products like Aclima, Icebreaker, Yamatomichi, and Super Natural—I truly came to understand the benefits.
Whether it was cycling rides, hiking in the mountains, or long-term travel.
By wearing them in various situations, I came to realize the unique functionality of merino wool: the thermal and humidity regulation that keeps you comfortable all year round, the natural odor resistance that makes it easy to wear for days on end, and how it keeps you from feeling chilled by sweat.
Looking back, I’m actually impressed by how many different merino wool products I’ve worn; it seems I’ve fallen deep into the merino wool rabbit hole without even realizing it.
So, whenever I hear "merino wool product," I always want to try it out immediately.
Naturally, I was immediately interested in ONC MERINO as well.
And ever since I found it, I’ve been wearing it to death.
To work.
On my days off with my wife, and on trips.
And, of course, whenever I'm riding my bike.
I find myself reaching for it without thinking, and whenever I’m unsure what to wear, I always make sure to tuck it into my bag.
That’s how reliable it has become for me.
There are several reasons why I like it so much.
Why it became my standard
First and foremost, the fabric is tough.
One of the downsides of merino wool products is that the fabric can be delicate.
Soft, skin-friendly fabric is inevitably fragile, prone to tearing or pilling.
However, this 100% merino wool T-shirt hasn't torn at all, and it hasn't developed anything that I would call pilling.
I’ve used it for all sorts of outdoor activities, and of course, I wear it frequently as everyday clothing.
I’ve also washed it countless times.
And I don't even put it in a mesh bag; I just use the regular cycle.
That's right, I don't treat it with any special care just because it’s a merino wool product.
Yet, there is no noticeable damage.
I’ve never come across a 100% merino wool product that I could wear so hard without worrying about it.
(Though, it is still 100% merino wool, so it is a delicate item. I do recommend washing it in a mesh bag using a neutral detergent for delicates on a hand-wash cycle.)
Then there's the perfect amount of ribbing tension and elasticity.
The thickness of the fabric allows me to wear it even when it gets somewhat warm, so I often pair it with shorts.
Of course, it can sometimes get too hot, in which case I just roll up the sleeves.
I have no idea how many times I've rolled them up, but the sleeve ribbing hasn't gone slack, and when I do roll them up, they stay firmly in place on my upper arms.
This might depend on the thickness of your arms, but for me, they are just right—not too tight, not too loose.
And then there's the silhouette.
The slightly loose silhouette is a moderate look that isn’t swayed by fleeting trends.
Combined with the micro-stripes, it carries a solid presence even when worn on its own.
It’s effortless; you just put it on and it looks good.
Solid colors would probably be too boring.
But a wide stripe would be too bold.
These micro-stripes and this silhouette are truly perfect.
As for comfort, it goes without saying that it’s excellent.
The brand "merino merino"
Those are the ONC MERINO products that I love so much.
"merino merino" has launched as a new brand to carry on that spirit and approach to craftsmanship.
merino merino is a brand newly established by the core members who were involved in the creativity and production of ONC MERINO as they ventured out on their own.
Of course, that doesn't mean the ONC MERINO brand itself has disappeared.
ONC MERINO continues to pursue more fashion-forward expression, while merino merino carries on as before, making products that you can wear without hesitation in your daily life or for outdoor activities.
I’m sure many of you visited the pop-up store we held at Circles in March.
And now, we are holding the first-ever sales event for short-sleeved items from merino merino. I will share more details later, but the dates are 7/18 (Sat) to 7/21 (Tue), and the location is Circles Tailored.
Actually, we’ve held sales events for short-sleeved T-shirts at Circles under the ONC MERINO name before.
Yet, I don’t own a single one. Of course, I had the opportunity to buy them. But because of an old habit, I kept thinking, "I want our customers to buy the ones they like first," and before I knew it, the models I was eyeing had sold out. This time, I won’t hesitate.
I plan to buy my favorite color and size before anyone else.
That’s how excited I am about these merino merino short-sleeves.
I plan to introduce the products alongside the official announcement, so please stay tuned.
If you are even the slightest bit interested, please make sure to mark your calendar.