YOU ONLY NEED to walk one block in the humid heat of the Australian climate to know the struggle of sweaty hair, stick-to-the-skin shirts and the humiliation that mounts when you clock in for work looking spent before you’ve even had your morning coffee.
It’s not just you. A global study commissioned by Uniqlo recently found that nearly 70 per cent of urban commuters say uncomfortable heat makes it impossible to concentrate at work, and more than half of young professionals have cancelled plans just because sweaty clothes made them feel self-conscious. That’s a lifestyle hazard we gloss over, but Uniqlo doesn’t.
Uniqlo’s functional innerwear range, AIRism, has engineered a fix, designed to manage the battle between skin and fabric by wicking sweat fast, cutting odour and reducing that clinging, soaked feeling. In 2025, flights of innovation brought sharper fits, dropped shoulders, longer hems on tees, softer briefs that stay fresh longer and perhaps most important of all, a deodorising boost targeting ammonia.
But it’s not all about innerwear. Everyday performance gear is equally important if avoiding perspiration is your aim. That’s where Uniqlo’s Sport Utility Wear (SUW) lineup enters the frame, a smarter, hybrid take on everyday performancewear that can swing from spin class to coffee catch-ups without missing a beat.
The SS25 collection puts AIRism alongside DRY-EX, Ultra-Stretch, and UV-Cut technologies, each engineered to work in concert. The ultra-thin AIRism fabrics team with breathable DRY-EX and flexible Ultra-Stretch. Meanwhile, UV-protective outer layers help you step out after a workout without worrying about sun damage. Plus, a wind-blocking jacket and pocketable parka let you layer up smartly when you get hit with those sudden breezes.
The numbers support the narrative. Eighty-six per cent of commuters say weather is more unpredictable these days, and two-thirds can’t manage comfort through the day. That’s driving a shift: nearly two-thirds now shop for sweat-reducing fabrics, and three-quarters balance performance with style. Now, your shirt has to do more than look good; it has to feel good, clean and keep you confident all day long.
So picture this: you throw on an AIRism tee under a DRY-EX zip-up, layered with a UV pocketable parka you can stash when the sun shifts by the hour. You complete your commute feeling fresh, hit your desk sharp, then roll into a HIIT session by lunchtime and your clothes breathe, stretch and wick. That simple versatility translates into real confidence.
It might sound small, but sweat is a daily adversary. It seeps into your thread count, which ultimately affects your mood. Uniqlo’s latest AIRism and Sport Utility Wear ranges prepare you for the unpredictability of city life, climate and schedules. And when the weather can’t be counted on, your clothes need to be smarter than ever. And that makes the humble undershirt all the more essential.
