A comfortable Helly Hansen striped top that's a must-have for summer / Connoisseur's Choice

Striped cut-and-sew tops are popular with both men and women because of their versatility. While French brands are famous for their long-sleeved tops, we would like to introduce the short-sleeved tops from the Scandinavian brand Helly Hansen.

Highly functional cut and sewn garments loved by professionals

　I'd like to introduce a popular summer item: the striped top. Striped tops have a history of being worn by sailors and the French Navy, and are produced by several well-known French manufacturers. They first arrived in Japan in the 1980s, during the heyday of French brands, and are now a staple item. This time, I'd like to recommend Helly Hansen from Norway, rather than France.

　Helly Hansen's history is surprisingly long, dating back to 1877. It began when Helly Jewel Hansen, a former merchant marine captain, retired at the age of 37 and established an oilskin and canvas factory in the Norwegian port town of Moss. He started out by producing oilskins for professionals, and won the top prize in the seaman's clothing category at the Paris World's Fair the following year in 78.

　They also produced products utilizing the cutting edge technology of the time, such as selling fire buckets made from sail canvas soaked in linseed oil for port towns that were prone to fires, and commercializing the world's first fully waterproof clothing using welder stitching (a technique that fuses materials together using heat treatment) in 1950. They continue to pursue waterproof technology to this day, and their products are loved by skiers and mountaineers, earning the trust of professionals not only in the sea but also in the mountains.

　The Helly Hansen "Short Sleeve Border Boat Neck" cut-and-sew we're introducing today is a casual piece, but it still boasts high specs. It uses a soft, tightly woven fabric that's comfortable to wear, and silver ions are attached to the fibers to inhibit bacterial growth. This means it reduces sweat odor. This antibacterial and deodorizing Polygiene treatment maintains its effectiveness even after repeated washing. It also dries quickly thanks to the polyester blend.

　Recently, Helly Hansen has been dividing its brands into smaller categories, hiring excellent designers, collaborating with other brands, and focusing on design. This striped top may look ordinary at first glance, but with its oversized silhouette and slit design at the hem, it's well-designed from start to finish. It's a top that's sure to come in handy this summer.