When it comes to fashion pet peeves, many would agree that nothing is worse than sweating through your clothes because the weather is too hot. Unfortunately for us Malaysians, we can’t run away from the heat, so how can we still look our best, and more importantly, feel dry after a day out?
Enter UNIQLO. Amid some of the hottest days in Kuala Lumpur, UNIQLO sent over a few pieces from their AIRism collection for us to test out. So, for the past few weeks, we’ve been wearing the AIRism UV Protection High Neck T-shirt, the AIRism Bra Top and the AIRism Seamless Shorts to show you the best way to dress for the Malaysian heat.
AIRism UV Protection High Neck T-shirt (Long Sleeve)
We’ll start with the piece that many Malaysian Muslimah would be familiar with because either you’ve tried it or heard a fellow Muslimah raving about it on social media. Well, guess what? The hype is real. If you’re looking for a comfortable shirt that can be layered or worn as an inner, we have a few reasons this is the one you should reach for.
How We Styled It
For the High Neck T-shirt, we styled it as an inner, wearing it with other pieces from our personal collection. First, we paired it with a sleeveless slip dress with a low neckline. We also styled it with a loose sleeveless top with a boat neckline.
What We Love About It
Of course, the highlight of the AIRism collection is the DRY technology, which means moisture-wicking and deodorising properties that help us stay cool and dry in the hot Malaysian weather. We actually wore the shirt during our work commute, so there was a lot of walking and standing around waiting for the MRT and LRT (iykyk).
Despite wearing an extra layer of clothing, we felt comfortable even after all the movement and a full day of work. Bonus point: the UV Protection technology means we can wear our sleeveless shirts without worrying about being too exposed to the sun.
Additionally, with the way we styled the High Neck T-shirt, we loved how we could add coverage to sleeveless pieces and extend the wear for a variety of occasions. Funnily, the dress and top were actually items we rarely wore because of the lack of sleeves.
Thankfully, with the High Neck T-Shirt, we comfortably wear these pieces without worrying about showing our arms. Additionally, the material allowed us to layer our clothing without the bulk of a typical cotton T-shirt. The high-neck design also meant no worries for chest exposure when wearing looser clothing.
AIRism Bra Top (Long Sleeve)
The next item we tested out was the AIRism Bra Top. Another highly raved product from the AIRism collection, this piece is known for its built-in bra for a seamless yet supported look. You’ve likely heard that many women are opting for this top over their usual t-shirt-and-bra combo, especially when it gets hot outside. Here’s why:
How We Styled It
We went the simple route with the Bra Top, styling it as we would a regular T-shirt, sans the undergarments. We wore it out to a video shoot, and later a mall, pairing the top with the Open Collar Oxford Shirt Dress from the UNIQLO and JW ANDERSON collection. We also tried wearing it as is, at home, as a pyjama top, paired with shorts.
What We Love About It
Like the High Neck T-Shirt, the Bra Top is also moisture-wicking and deodorising, so we felt cool and comfortable when wearing it around the mall. At one point, we did start to sweat through the shirt, but it didn’t take long for the material to dry and return to its “cool-to-the-touch” original form.
The built-in bra also meant we can just put on the shirt and go on about our day. There was no fussing around with bra straps and no worry about any visible bra line, thanks to the seamless look. The best part is that we still felt supported throughout our daily activities, or in our case, while setting up a whole video shoot.
We also love how breathable the top is. One of the reasons we decided to test the Bra Top as homewear is that Malaysian heat doesn’t discriminate between indoor and outdoor, so our house also gets pretty hot when the air-conditioning isn’t on. However, we didn’t heat up nearly as much when we wore the AIRism Bra Top at home, which allowed us to relax without worry.
AIRism Seamless Shorts (Hiphugger)
Another item that has received much praise is the AIRism seamless shorts. You may not give a second thought to these unsuspecting pairs of undergarments. However, there is a reason they’re gaining popularity, with more women opting for these seamless drawers over traditional undies. If you’re a stickler for comfy panties, we might be able to convince you to make the change as well!
How We Styled It
For the Seamless Shorts, we actually paired them with-JUST KIDDING! We just wore it as we would our usual underwear, so no styling required!
What We Love About It
For as long as the Seamless Shorts have been part of UNIQLO’s catalogue, we’ve always heard about how comfortable they are, despite being so thin. Safe to say, we very much agree with this take. We love how nice they feel on our skin and how they practically disappear under our clothes, so no visible panty line.
Not going to lie, we were in disbelief when we realised that we couldn’t even feel the shorts over our bottoms. But thin doesn’t mean cheap material. These undies gave a lot more coverage than expected, and the stretch meant they provide quite the give to sit perfectly on our bodies.
And, of course, like every AIRism product, the Seamless Shorts are breathable and moisture-wicking. We wore these undies outdoors and at home, and they kept us feeling fresh the whole time. It gave us peace of mind and helped us stay comfortable down there during the heat.
In conclusion, the UNIQLO AIRism collection is a great addition to your wardrobe if you want to beat the hot Malaysian weather. However, the pieces in the lineup are more than just breathable and fast-drying. They can help prolong the wear, add more coverage, make you feel more secure and, most importantly, keep you comfortable.
