+CLOTHET, a DtoC brand known for its meticulous attention to fabric and tailor-supervised designs, will be selling T-shirts and socks made from recycled cutting waste that was previously discarded.
+CLOTHET's signature material, "SUVIN PLATINUM," is made from yarn spun exclusively from "first-pick" (first-harvested) cotton of the highest quality "SUVIN," which is acclaimed as world-class for its rarity and exceptionally long fibers among extra-long staple cotton with fiber lengths of 35mm or more. For this project, +CLOTHET has developed T-shirts and socks using recycled cutting waste generated during the production of T-shirts made from this material, which has an annual sales record of approximately 10,000 units. This initiative contributes to resource conservation and waste reduction while exploring new possibilities in fashion.
- Recycled Suvin T-shirt ¥8,800 (tax included)
- Recycled Suvin Socks ¥1,650 (tax included)
Available from July 1, 2023 (Saturday) at +CLOTHET's ONLINE STORE.
+CLOTHET Recycled Suvin Project
Expanding the brand's worldview with an unprecedented rugged texture
Yield refers to how efficiently a pattern fits onto the fabric area. For +CLOTHET's iconic Suvin Platinum T-shirts, the average yield is 70%. The remaining 30% was previously discarded as cutting waste. The idea of such wonderful fibers going to waste was a shame. With this in mind, +CLOTHET's planning team had been considering taking action for some time.
Amidst growing global interest in sustainability, the collection and reuse of discarded clothing and fabric scraps generated during production as raw materials has become active. Traditionally, recycled materials resulted in a coarser fabric than the original, mostly used for items like work gloves and canvas. However, with advancements in spinning technology improving yarn quality, +CLOTHET, with the cooperation of its partner factories, began this initiative.
However, even with recycled yarn, it's not 100% recycled; current technology requires blending new virgin fibers during spinning, making it impossible to perfectly replicate the characteristics of the original yarn. Therefore, the recycled yarn in this project does not achieve the delicate, meltingly soft touch of conventional Suvin Platinum and must be considered a different material. In fact, the completed "Recycled Suvin" has a completely different, rich texture from Suvin Platinum, and +CLOTHET saw this as an opportunity to venture into items they hadn't previously created, expanding the brand's worldview.
■+CLOTHET Recycled Suvin Project
Since its debut in 2018, +CLOTHET has focused on a style that balances business and casual. However, in the post-COVID era, the emphasis has shifted more towards casual wear. Therefore, for this project, after carefully assessing the characteristics of the recycled Suvin yarn and how best to utilize it, we aimed to broaden customers' fashion choices with T-shirts that retain a slightly rugged feel.
These recycled Suvin T-shirts are designed to be worn casually on their own, in contrast to the classic "Tailored T-shirts" that look elegant under a jacket. The firm fabric, knitted in a dense plain weave, maintains a sophisticated urban aesthetic while also possessing an American casual taste that develops character with wear. Therefore, the silhouette is made slightly larger than the Tailored T-shirt, and iconic details like the forward-set sleeves and side slits are intentionally omitted. Its tough, resilient texture, which resists stretching and losing shape after washing, seems to pair well with bottoms like denim and jogger pants.
As for the socks, they were something we had been planning for a while, aimed at the sneaker style that is now common even in business settings. They are characterized by a focus on comfort, with features like pile fabric on the inside front. Furthermore, considering the yarn's characteristics, it seems well-suited for casual brushed-back sweatshirts and hoodies, or even product dyeing that leverages its slightly coarse texture, leading to a growing number of ideas for future product development.
For +CLOTHET, the development of recycled yarn, a first attempt, originated from the desire not to waste precious fibers. While it may seem a small step considering the myriad issues facing the fashion industry, +CLOTHET's stance is to start with what can be done.
Therefore, perhaps the ideal feeling is "I liked what I bought, and it just happened to be made of recycled materials." In reality, the deciding factor for commercialization was whether we would want to wear it ourselves, even without advertising it as "recycled." There are currently no silver bullets for concerns about natural resource depletion, global warming, or reducing the environmental impact of production, and resolving these issues will take a long time. That's why +CLOTHET believes it's better for both creators and consumers to continue this journey without stress, and with enjoyment.