Life

Buying the last layer of defense

By Mikala Reasbeck (China Daily)
Updated: 2011-01-06 08:10

A one-piece D&G-inspired frock from QiQi Fashion Shop, complete with reindeers. Photo by Qiqi / For China Daily

They might make shoppers look ancient but thermals are hot products in Beijing, Mikala Reasbeck discovers

Beijing has been hit with offensively strong winds, carrying a stern cold that penetrates all manner of coats, pants and scarves. Already outfitted in down parkas and wooly hats, the last weapon in the arsenal of the war against winter is, sadly, a rather boring one - long underwear.

Though wools and cottons are perennial staples of cartoon gold miners and grandparents, long underwear has undergone a major overhaul in recent years.

Many styles are made of thin, almost gauzy space-age fabrics. They're stretchy and thin enough to fit under the skinniest of skinny jeans.

But has this makeover been one of style or substance and what about the price - does expensive mean better, or should buyers stick to more subdued, traditional skivvies?

After scoping out thermal, long johns and winter underwear at American Apparel, Bla Bla Bra, Decathalon, The North Face, QiQi Fashion Shop, Uniqlo, Wal-Mart, and Yashow Market, these questions have answers, and not a cold day too soon.

American Apparel

Thermal tops here are unisex, cost 246 yuan and come in every color imaginable.

Debate continues on why anybody would need fluorescent orange or green underclothes, but still, it's a rare color option in the long john world.

American hipster and cool purveyor of everything basic, American Apparel surprisingly fails to provide proper thermal bottoms.

Instead, ladies could check out the long-sleeve Henley-style one-piece thermal romper. It's 410 yuan and comes in red or teal, dotted with a delicate floral print. Beware, however, that it shrinks about 8 percent and may be far too long for anyone under 2 meters tall.

Bla Bla Bra

Bla Bla Bra's Body Warmer line features tops at 158 yuan and bottoms for 148 yuan.

In black, skin and white, the color selection is nearly as thin as the "Japanese technology" fabric.

Though sleek, these garments don't offer much help against anything more than a slight breeze. Their more expensive Slim Thermo-wear line only offers tops (long sleeves are 279 yuan / medium-length sleeves are 259 yuan) that won't accommodate anyone over 50 pounds and with a regular body shape.

Decathalon

Every active Beijinger knows Decathalon for sportswear, but it shouldn't be passed in a pursuit of long underwear - unless you're a man, in which case don't bother because they don't have any.

For women and kids, Decathalon stocks Wed'ze's "Simple Warm" long johns intended for skiing. Tops and bottoms (for adults and kids) cost 49 yuan and 59 yuan and come in a small range of tasteful colors.

Though not overly toasty, the material feels sturdy and the product well-assembled.

The North Face

Though the brand seems like an obvious choice for long underwear, the North Face only stocks plenty of warm outer layers like coats, pants and boots, but they don't do long underwear.

QiQi Fashion Shop

On the back end of the 3.3 Mall is a small window shop known better for its mannequins in chains, men's bespoke jackets and intimidatingly high heels, than for long underwear.

Still, QiQi does have one style that is absolutely unforgettable: a one-piece, all-cotton, sweater-style knit, reminiscent of a union suit (if union suits had cute reindeer and hearts and cost 1,000 yuan).

Currently, the store only has one (and it's very small), but they're happy to order larger sizes for interested parties.

Uniqlo

After being redirected here from disgruntled North Face employees, expectations for their "HeatTech Japan Technology" line ran high.

In a wide range of colors (even a dainty polka dot for women and stripes for both sexes) and reasonably priced (99 yuan for tops and bottoms) for "Japan Technology", these long johns were a complete disappointment in terms of warmth.

They are too light to be effective against cold and, honestly, how effective is a short-sleeve thermal T-shirt?

Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart's selection of thick, but not bulky, cotton sets is unbeatable - and so are the prices.

Men's brand Gaily Zingy has tops and bottoms for 12.9 yuan each - the thick cotton is warm and there's just enough stretch to make them wearable.

Hanes, a long-time staple on the American underwear scene, has cotton sets in a variety of textures and colors for both men and women, from 89-119 yuan. They're simple, affordable, and, above all, warm.

Women looking for a magenta set could try Live Flesh's Slim Set - at 79 yuan, ladies will be sporting a cool name and some seriously hot pants.

Yashow Market

Yashow Market stocks cotton thermal sets, plain cotton sets and some spandex pants lined with unreasonably, unrelentingly warm fuzzy velour-like fabric on the inside.

Quality is dubious, brands are questionable and prices are down to you and the vendor. However, there are deals to be had if you stick with it.

Top: Unisex long-sleeves at American Apparel. Middle: Heat Tech apparel by Uniqlo. Bottom: One-piece thermal suit at American Apparel. Photos by John Vincent Merrett / For China Daily

(China Daily 01/06/2011)