UNIQLO’s HEATTECH, a thermal clothing line developed by the company and Toray Industries, has sold approximately 1.5 billion items globally. Launched in 2003, it converts water vapor into heat, enhancing comfort and promoting UNIQLO’s LifeWear philosophy. The line has been updated this season with new materials for increased comfort and a wider range of design and color variations. In addition to its signature innerwear, UNIQLO offers a variety of other apparel and goods featuring HEATTECH technology, ensuring warmth and comfort during cold weather.
A new material that is thin, light, and warm
New in the WOMENS line is the HEATTECH Ultra Light Turtleneck Top, made with the thinnest HEATTECH material yet. The use of ultra-fine fibers makes this item about 20% lighter than conventional HEATTECH innerwear. Air pockets, created by knitting the thin yarn in a way that adds puffiness, help ensure heat retention. With warmth the same as conventional HEATTECH items, the material offers smooth comfort and just the right amount of sheerness. It comes in a wide range of color variations as well. These new items can be worn both as innerwear and for layering, making them highly versatile for styling during colder seasons.
WOMEN – Changes in specifications and knitting method for greater comfort
Standard HEATTECH innerwear now has printed care labels for a smoother feel. This year, the range of skin tone colors has also been expanded for easier use as a base layer. The popular HEATTECH Extra Warm Seamless Ribbed lineup launched last year now has improved knitting specifications that makes it less prone to pilling, while still retaining its fluffy feel. The material used has also been updated with the recycled nylon.
MEN – Updated materials and rich color variations
The material for HEATTECH innerwear has been changed to recycled polyester. Including the HEATTECH Cotton Crew Neck L/S T-shirt (Extra Warm) series, color variations in the lineup have been expanded to broaden the range of styling options. HEATTECH Ultra Warm has been updated to a new material with a special knitting technique that holds more air, making it soft and lightweight while retaining the same warmth level the Ultra Warm line is known for.
■First Holiday Collection from “Princesse tam.tam”
The French-born brand “Princesse tam.tam” joins the HEATTECH lineup as a new holiday collection.
“Princesse tam.tam” specializes in original prints and vibrant colors, and this new lineup features the brand’s signature coloring. The newly added items are Seamless ribbed turtleneck T (PHP 990) and Socks (PHP 290). The new items are scheduled to launch in November.
■ HEATTECH is the choice of fashion professionals
During Paris Fashion Week fall/winter 2023-24, a gathering of fashion industry professionals from around the world, UNIQLO conducted a survey about UNIQLO and HEATTECH products. The results show that the usage rate of HEATTECH increased by 25.5% since the previous survey, indicating a growing market penetration worldwide. When asked what respondents like about HEATTECH, the most common answer was that it is warm without being bulky. Overall, respondents indicated that they wore HEATTECH because they want to stay warm while still enjoying fashion during the cold season.
- A boom in the last three years
Of those respondents who said they have worn HEATTECH, 70.6% stated they started wearing it within the last three years. Some respondents cited energy costs, rising prices, and changing temperatures changes as reasons, indicating that HEATTECH buying trends were partly affected by last year’s energy crisis. In addition, when asked how often they wore HEATTECH, about half of respondents said they wore it on a daily basis indicating that, over the past three years, HEATTECH has rapidly become an essential item in people’s wardrobes.
Survey method: Street interviews. Survey respondents: Persons in their teens to 60s, (teens 4.6%, 20s 59.2%, 30s 11.9%, 40s 9.5%, 50s 9.7%, Over 60s 5.1%). Those surveyed were visitors to Paris Fashion Week 2023-24 and fashion industry professionals. Number of survey responses: 409. Survey period: February 27 to March 22, 2023.
2023 HEATTECH Lineup
Stay warm, keep comfortable, and travel in style with UNIQLO HEATTECH and its newest lineup. To learn more, visit the Travel Sale Expo 2023 that starts on September 29 at Megatrade Hall, SM Megamall. Follow @uniqlo on Facebook and @uniqlophofficial on Instagram for more up-to-date information.
