Why Do T-Shirts Twist After Washing?
A side seam that shifts after washing offers a closer look at the yarn, knitted structure and making of an everyday T...
The Mercer Notes
On materials, craft, and why things are made the way they are.
What Makes a Simple Garment Worth More?
Two T-shirts, same silhouette, both 100% cotton. One costs ¥1,500 and one costs ¥20,000. This note explains where the...
Haramaki: The Japanese Belly Warmer, Material Blends, and Quiet Craftsmanship
The haramaki is a Japanese abdominal warmer with a specific function and a surprisingly considered material story. Th...
Why I Prefer Natural Fibres — and When Polyester Still Has a Place
Most of the Mercer St. collection uses natural fibres. This note explains why — and where synthetics still have a gen...
Washi as Clothing: How Japanese Paper Becomes a Wearable Fibre
Washi is Japanese paper fibre — and in the Washi Knit Sneaker Socks, it is the majority component. This note explains...
How to Read a Care Label — and Actually Follow It
Care labels are legally required on most garments — and mostly ignored. This note explains how to read the five care ...
Wool Quality Explained: What Makes Wool Feel Smooth
"Merino" is not a guarantee of softness. This note explains what wool grading actually means, why fine-average merino...
How Alpaca Holds Warmth — and Why Its Fibre Structure Feels Different from Cashmere
Alpaca insulates partly through air held inside the fibre itself. Cashmere insulates through extreme fineness. This n...
Silk and Synthetic: What the Difference Actually Is — and What Washable Silk Means
Silk is a protein fibre with specific properties that differ from synthetic materials. This note explains the structu...