Perhaps his preference for neat casual wear is because it suits his handsome looks. Gotoku Sakai, a member of the Japanese national soccer team and captain of a team in the German Bundesliga, is said to frequently shop at Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building when he is back in Japan.

"There are some pretty good shops in Hamburg. I found them myself. When I asked my teammates, they said they don't go shopping for clothes very often. I go to check out the new arrivals two or three times a month."

Having a favorite shop suggests you're quite the fashion enthusiast. It seems you check out a wide range of shops, not just your favorite brands like French designers.

Her favorite clothes are sweatshirts and hoodies because "you can never have too many." She often chooses darker colors like navy or black because gray sweatshirts can look like pajamas. She also likes to try out slightly flashy lettering and prints, especially colors and patterns that not many other people wear.

Jacket ¥31,320 Purchase here
Pants ¥17,280 Purchase here

It's not all casual wear; there are plenty of occasions to wear a suit. I hear that overseas, unlike in Japan, there are many meetings with dress codes. There's a culture of enjoying dressing up to attend such events.

"When I'm having a party or dinner with my teammates, I usually wear a suit or jacket. I don't always wear a tie, though; I might pair it with jeans or a T-shirt underneath. Lately, I've been wearing a suit with a turtleneck sweater, or I consider the purpose of the gathering when deciding on my outfit. Wearing sneakers with a suit is also quite common. I think it's good manners to change your style depending on the purpose of the gathering and who you're with. Plus, wearing appropriate clothes for the occasion makes me feel more comfortable."

On this day, he wore an iconic Adidas suit paired with sneakers. He also looked confident in a dressed-up style, complete with a tie made from the same fabric as the jacket. The seersucker-like material has a completely different feel from previous materials, giving it the appearance of a natural material, but it still features the same Climalite function that excels in sweat absorption and quick drying.

"Contrary to appearances, it's also stretchy. It's light, feels great against the skin, and seems like it would allow for a lot of movement. It's not much different from wearing a uniform. I feel like I could go out onto the pitch in this, and it might just change my perception of suits."

The zippered waist pockets with stowed flaps are perfect for active movement. The brand logo and the three stripes that appear when you roll up the pant hems are made of reflective material, ensuring safety at night.

Jacket ¥31,320 Purchase here
Pants ¥17,280 Purchase here

"Adding white to your outfit gives it a clean look, doesn't it? When I'm not wearing a tie, I'd like to pair it with something like a polo shirt."

He learned after moving to Germany that a man should always have several suits in his closet. He also learned from numerous occasions where he had to wear a suit that he needed to know many variations on how to wear a suit beyond just tying a tie. For Sakai, formal attire for parties and leisure activities is on the same level as formal attire required when traveling or attending press conferences.

"It looks like it won't wrinkle easily, and it seems comfortable for traveling by plane or bullet train. I think I'll look great in this suit when I return to Japan." I was already thinking about the occasion and styling for the next time I would wear this suit.

The NEXT Suit is gear to enrich your private life - Tomoaki Makino