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Japanese rubberized men's suit for the typhoon season... WTF?

blackjack

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F-One is a chain MTM suit company in Japan.

I have a hard time seeing how rubberized fabric is going to make sense in a men's suit.

http://e.nikkei.com/e/ac/tnks/Nni20100804D04JSN02.htm

Thursday, August 5, 2010
F-One Debuts Suits Using Fabric That Can Handle Downpour
rubbersuit.jpg

TOKYO (Nikkei)--
F-one Ltd. (8128), a leading maker of suits made to order, will soon offer the industry's first suits made from a synthetic rubber fabric that can quickly dry out without loss of shape after washing or after being caught in a downpour.

The suits will use a material developed by Yamamoto Corp. that was originally developed for swimwear but modified to be even more water-repellent.

Starting from early September, F-one will offer suits for both men and women at a price of 82,950 yen in its stores. The company hopes to sell 6,000 suits in the first year and generate sales of 500 million yen.

(The Nikkei Business Daily Aug. 5 edition)
 

Tokyo Slim

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Obviously you've never been in Japan during typhoon season. I can definitely see how there is a market for this, if it performs as advertised.
 

blackjack

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Actually I have (been through a number of typhoons). However, it still does not make sense. Unless it's too hot & humid outside, a good trench coat is going to do a good enough job. Rubberized fabric sounds like an uncomfortable sauna to me. And, it is difficult to imagine how a shiny synthetic look is going to look attractive in a men's suit; I would imagine most would assume the sheen to be from a cheap polyester blend. Plus, I am very curious to know how the rubberized component in the fabric will hold up against typical dry cleaning solvents.

It's another silly gimmick not unlike the one last year launched by Haruyama (another chain suit store in Japan) for "anti-swine flu" suits:

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GoldenTribe

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"suits made from a synthetic rubber fabric" I'm curious about this wording. Does that mean there is no wool/cotton whatsoever, it's just pure rubber-plastic goo creation? At a glance I would have assumed this was a 1% rubber blend with traditional fabrics or a new coating someone developed.
 

dsmolken

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Some English shooting jackets are made from tweed coated with teflon or something. I've got one like that, works great in moderate rain or snow, hasn't been caught in a downpour yet. This is just taking that idea farther. Possibly too far.

There's also this: http://veilance.arcteryx.com/Product...SS03-Blazer-LT
 

cdmoore1855

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This rubber suit looks like that ghastly suit Roger Federer wears in that Rolex advert
 

blackjack

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Originally Posted by cdmoore1855
This rubber suit looks like that ghastly suit Roger Federer wears in that Rolex advert

This one?

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Tokyo Slim

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Originally Posted by blackjack
Actually I have (been through a number of typhoons). However, it still does not make sense. Unless it's too hot & humid outside, a good trench coat is going to do a good enough job. Rubberized fabric sounds like an uncomfortable sauna to me. And, it is difficult to imagine how a shiny synthetic look is going to look attractive in a men's suit; I would imagine most would assume the sheen to be from a cheap polyester blend. Plus, I am very curious to know how the rubberized component in the fabric will hold up against typical dry cleaning solvents.

A: A trench coat? I have never seen a salaryman wearing a trench coat. I HAVE seen them wear the same suit every day until it wears out. Being soaked completely through by sideways 80mph rain/wind is not good for a suit.

B: They are not concerned with looking attractive. trying to improve their appearance is energy poorly spent in their case. Don't want to stand out. Most of them wear a cheap poly blend suit anyways.
 

word

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If the fabric doesn't breathe and you have to walk a lot you'll be soaked in your own sweat. Wouldn't an overcoat of this material be better? What about something like Nau does. I have their riding jacket, it works for light to moderate rain. Could it stand up to typhoon weather? At least an overcoat can be removed once you are inside and not have this awkward feeling suit still attached to you.
 

MyOtherLife

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What's the world coming to? Has no one invented Super 180's Polyester yet?
 

Bull

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Personally, I have found rubber suits to be tremendously useful.
 

blackjack

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Originally Posted by Tokyo Slim
A: A trench coat? I have never seen a salaryman wearing a trench coat. I HAVE seen them wear the same suit every day until it wears out. Being soaked completely through by sideways 80mph rain/wind is not good for a suit.

B: They are not concerned with looking attractive. trying to improve their appearance is energy poorly spent in their case. Don't want to stand out. Most of them wear a cheap poly blend suit anyways.


Exhibit A...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/alfiegoodrich/3304737337/
japwithumbrellaandoverc.jpg

And, no - he's not a ********. A real deal Nipponese.

http://www.lesterho.com
moarsuits.jpg


There is supposed to be a subtle distinction between the lower-ranked more common sarariman versus the more virile and go-to-it businessman. Your initial contention was that with the annual typhoon season in Japan, this new rubberized men's suit would be a hit product with Japanese salarymen. I highly doubt it. The indicated starting price of 82,950 Yen is significantly more than what the average Japanese salaryman shells out for a suit:

http://whatjapanthinks.com/2007/10/2...s-part-1-of-2/
suitsl.jpg


Yeah, I know this is somewhat half-assed stab at market research but I am pretty confident these rubberized men's suits will be another gimmicky flop. Just like the anti-swine flu suits.

Perhaps a solution that would provide invisible water repellency for otherwise top fabrics without compromising drape or breathability would do much better. And, Hell they probably might even be on the market already via suppliers like Nishinbo etc.
 

musicguy

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I saw an advertisement for this on TV when I was in Japan. It looks like ****.
 

dr.no

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Those will make it easier to clean up after a stay at a Japanese love motel with their secretary.
 

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