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Can’t wait for a Saturday

Every Saturday morning, we bake a week’s worth of granola.

It’s one of the three dishes I’ve come to discover and love in the US. The others are pancakes and Caesar salad, and finally, granola.

They are all simple home-cooked dishes but because they are so simple, there are so many unique renditions. The more you discover the possibilities, the more hooked you become. My favorite piece of clothing is t-shirt and as difficult as it is to look great in just a t-shirt, making a great-tasting granola takes some skills. That’s what makes it so fun. Every week, I can’t wait for Saturday to come.

Can’t wait for a Saturday image

I often get asked about what I am particular about in granola-making. At first, it was the taste, the delicate sweetness and the slight salt that accentuates the flavor, the cinnamon that blends with the milk or yoghurt. It took a while to come up with the golden ratio.

As I continued my culinary experiment, I began to realize that the great taste of granola is not so much the flavor but the wonderful roasty texture. When you scoop up a spoonful and put it in your mouth, that not too hard, not too soft wonderful texture that just whets your appetite. You appreciate it more if it’s freshly baked. The beauty of granola is the amazing texture that keeps you coming back for more.

Speaking of Saturdays, there is another fun that I look forward to which is to wear my favorite clothes that’s all me, completely relaxed, away from all the work obligations.

I would have my favorite striped button-down jacket on top of a pocket white t-shirt, both two sizes larger which is my weekend fit. The perfect fit is when my body swims in it which I would bring a navy sweatpants at just the right size which balances out the entire style. And sports socks with a line, for my feet.

While the granola is in the oven, I flip through some photo and art books which I rarely get a chance to enjoy. And this is how I truly relax and feel at peace.

Someone said that the purpose of a trip is not to reach your destination but that feeling that you are traveling. This is my way of enjoying a journey called Saturday.

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Keeping my style,
even on weekends

Unbutton the collar on my button-down shirt. Put on a shirt like a jacket. This just makes it feel more like a weekend.

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Keeping my style,
even on weekends

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Unbutton the collar on my button-down shirt. Put on a shirt like a jacket. This just makes it feel more like a weekend.

All crisp
and clean

The bigger the better for a pocket t-shirt. Because it’s big, you want to have a crisp ironed look. Don’t knock the power of iron, seriously.

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All crisp
and clean

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The bigger the better for a pocket t-shirt. Because it’s big, you want to have a crisp ironed look. Don’t knock the power of iron, seriously.

Chic bottom

Pick the perfect fit to not look lazy. My favorites are navy and black pairs.

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Chic bottom

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Pick the perfect fit to not look lazy. My favorites are navy and black pairs.

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What is freedom?

One of my favorite cities in the U.S. is Ashville, North Carolina.

It sits at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains, has a history of nurturing the creative culture, being home to many artists and musicians, and was interestingly selected as one of the most popular city people want to live in.

It is also famous for the legendary Black Mountain College, the most liberal arts college in the U.S. which was in its suburbs.

My friend and I had always admired Black Mountain College and wanted to see it for ourselves. One summer day, we decided to drive down for a visit.

The College no longer existed with only a couple of buildings remaining around the lake and the rest of the grounds had become a summer camp site for kids.

There was a lovely old man that I met in Ashville. He were running a small book shop and a café.

“It’s important to imagine as specifically as possible. If you can, then that dream will definitely come true. Don’t just dream, picture it clearly in your mind. Learning is precisely for that…” The elderly shared us young ones his pearl of wisdom. It was his response to our question, “What does it mean to be free?”

What is freedom? image

Even after all these years, I would never forget those words and it is something that I continue to ponder to this day. I remember him to be a stylish old man wearing a t-shirt, a cardigan, a pair of shorts, sports socks, and in sandals. It spoke freedom, whatever the age.

“I’ve been like this for years,” he laughed.

Because of this memory about Ashville, my weekend look has become this Ashville style with shorts and cardigan.

As long as you can clearly picture what you want to do or be and keep that image in your mind, there is nothing you can’t do. You have to believe in yourself like that. Don’t give up.

For me, this is the answer to ‘freedom’ that the elderly had taught me and will stay with me for life.

For tomorrow…

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Do you like
pockets?

He continued,
“Do you know why they exit? They were designed to carry around freedom.”
I believe him.

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Do you like
pockets?

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He continued,
“Do you know why they exit? They were designed to carry around freedom.”
I believe him.

Iconic beauty
of a cardigan

When you put on a cardigan over a t-shirt,
just love that clean&cool; balance around the neck area. Gives it a classy look, even on a hot day.

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Iconic beauty
of a cardigan

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When you put on a cardigan over a t-shirt,
just love that clean&cool; balance around the neck area. Gives it a classy look, even on a hot day.

Always rolled up

I choose a more relaxed baggy size for shorts, too,
and always roughly roll up the hems.
Always with sport socks.

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Always rolled up

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I choose a more relaxed baggy size for shorts, too,
and always roughly roll up the hems.
Always with sport socks.

These are,
my favorite LifeWears.

Yataro Matsuura

These are,
my favorite LifeWears.

Yataro Matsuura
100
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Clockwise from top
MEN U OVERSIZED CREW NECK SHORT-SLEEVE T-SHIRT
$14.90
MEN SWEATPANTS
$29.90
100
Special
Clockwise from top
MEN AIRism UV CUT CARDIGAN
Not available
MEN U CREW NECK SHORT-SLEEVE T-SHIRT
$14.90
MEN CHINO SHORTS
$29.90
Send this story
2nd July, 2019
LifeWear Story 100
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UNIQLO

COPYRIGHT (C) UNIQLO CO., LTD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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What is “LifeWear story 100?”

At UNIQLO,
there exist these lines of clothes
which has remained for many years,
trend-neutral
yet never dated.
Out of the line-ups,
they are the unsung presence,
sitting quietly behind in TV ads.

Yet, they are the culmination
of the years of passion and devotion,
where UNIQLO sought to pursue
more comfort,
more durability, and
more quality.

They give shape and gravitas
to what and who UNIQLO is,
and what UNIQLO continues
to nurture with great care.

To go beyond yesterday,
to reach higher tomorrow.

When you take it in your hands,
when you try it on,
it softly speaks to you,
almost like a friend.

What is a rich quality
lifestyle?
How is such a quality day spent?
What does happiness mean to you…

And you will find yourself
surprised to discover that such
piece of clothing has existed.

What is the UNIQLO principle?
Why do we call clothing LifeWear?
What kind of clothes constitute
LifeWear?

Here, we go deep into
the root of LifeWear,
to know
and to tell.
And I hope to write
stories that revolve
around LifeWear and myself.

LifeWear story 100 will be
a story about a journey with me and LifeWear.

Yataro Matsuura

Yataro Matsuura
Yataro Matsuura

Essayist, editor. Born 1965 in Tokyo.
For nine years from 2005, under the leadership of the founder, Shizuko Ohashi, he was the chief editor for the magazine, “Kurashi no Techo.” Since, he launched an online media site, “Kurashi no Kihon.” Currently, sits as a director for Oishii Kenko Ltd. Recognized for his eye for style and experience in presenting ideas for quality lifestyle. Regularly writes in his columns in newspapers and magazines. Has penned numerous best-sellers including “Kyo mo Teinei ni” and “Shigoto no Kihon Kurashi no Kihon 100.” Hosts a radio program on NHK Radio 1, “Karen Style.”

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