The very idea of layering tends to get scoffed at in Malaysia, and for valid reasons. The sticky air outside feels as though you were trapped in a brick-oven pizzeria. Piling on extra fabric, or even knitwear, feels more like a self-punishment than having a style. I’m not a naturally sweaty person, but a short walk to the MRT station wrings more moisture out of me than an hour in the gym.
Every styling guide online, however, insists that the key or the secret to looking well put together is layering. The “sandwich” method, they call it, is where you either double or triple your tops to add depth, think Ashley Tisdale in the 2000s. And they are not wrong, adding texture, colours or clashing patterns is a quick fix to a boring and monotonous look. But in this climate, the moment you step out of an air-conditioned room, the tropics will drench you like a guilty conscience. Heaven forbid, on some days, we just want to throw a lightweight blazer over a tee without having to sweat a bucket.
Still, as a city slicker who does wear layers—while commuting, running across the city, or just sitting in the office—I’ve learned to be strategic and pay more attention to the fabric choice and placement of each layer. Nothing works like a moisture-wicking base layer. Slip one under a lined double-breasted blazer, a thrifted Napoleon jacket, or a colourful sweater to break the monotony, and you might just survive. The one I reach for on repeat is Uniqlo’s AIRism. Most Malaysians already know the technology, and I’d even call it a wardrobe staple for those of us who live in a perpetual sauna.
First launched in 2012, AIRism is made from ultra-fine synthetic fibres, each one a tenth the width of a human hair. That makes the fabric impossibly smooth to the touch, draping on your body without fuss, reducing friction in a way that sensitive skin will thank you for. Given its nature, the material is also lightweight and breathable, so much so that it would dry before you even notice you’ve sweated. In fact, it dries about 1.9 times faster than regular cotton. And because the fabric doesn’t trap odour, it’s a godsend for peak-hour commuters packed into a swaying MRT coach or even a livehouse performance in an underground bar with bad ventilation.
Two pieces from the AIRism line that stand out for me are the AIRism Sleeveless Top and the AIRism Bra Camisole. The former has a seamless design at the collar and shoulder, practically disappearing under even the most form-fitting slip dress in your wardrobe. It’s also an inner layer I will reach for when I know I’ll be outdoors for long hours—long walks, long commutes, and long fights with the sun. Thanks to the DRY technology, it wicks sweat instantly, spreading it across the fabric for fast evaporation, leaving no embarrassing damp patches. This also means the AIRism Sleeveless Top is a good transitional piece from day to night, not just because of its comfort but also its versatility in styling—no more “bizcaz in the club”.
The AIRism Bra Camisole, on the other hand, comes with built-in pads for support—a blessing when your outfit involves heavy layering. The shoulder straps have adjusters, so it actually fits different body shapes. In most cases, I’m sceptical of padded tops, especially the underband that often looks awkward and shifts around as the day drags on. But the AIRism Bra Camisole ditches the underband entirely for a sleek and smoother feel. That being said, for that streamlined look, the top comes without visible seams, not even at the neckline or the armscye. It drapes the body so seamlessly you might even forget you are wearing it. If you, like me, are one of those who would remove all the scratchy and irritating care labels on your garments, the camisole has it—cleverly—printed directly onto the fabric, a small mercy for sensitive skin and a detail that seals the deal for me.
Good things come in pairs, and what goes better with a dainty top than AIRism Seamless Shorts? Let’s not pretend sweaty underwear is anything short of a nightmare. These are breathable, keeping you cool and startling fresh even when you are swaddled in wool-lined trousers or stiff corduroy with all its textured ridges. Undergarments that promise no panty lines usually aim to act like a second skin, but too often they ride up the moment you walk, or worse, the second you swing a leg over a bike. The low-rise, hip-hugger design, complete with a soft gusset, embraces your body without strangling it—not too tight, never restrictive. That makes them an optimal everyday wear because no matter what you are wearing over it, where you are headed, or really, how cruelly the weather decides to behave, you can rest assured you’ll look as fresh as the moment you first stepped out of your front door.
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