Anyone who has shopped at a bigger-box store knows it can be hard to figure out where to begin. There are dozens upon dozens of options that all seem as worthy as the next, but the reality is that products from any given brand are not all created equal. When you shop as regularly as we do, you learn that many brands just do some things better than they do other things. Uniqlo, we’ve found, is one of those brands — its massive inventory needs to be carefully picked through to find gems like expert-recommended undergarments, affordable layers to buy in bulk, or celebrity-approved jackets. Here, we’ve corralled every single piece of clothing from Uniqlo for men and women that our writers and editors — as well as fashion editors, Alaskan cruisers, art directors, actresses, and other cool people like Chris Black — have recommended on the Strategist. One other thing we’ve learned from all our shopping at Uniqlo: Its website can be a bit wonky, so if you click on a product and it appears to be out of stock, be sure to check all colors and sizes before taking the website’s word.
For men
In our shopping guide to the best boxer briefs, we named these from Uniqlo’s Airism line our favorite ultrathin pair. They feature moisture-wicking fabric that feels cool and dry to the touch. Nicolás Lazaro, an editorial manager at Buck Mason, says he used to wear cotton boxer briefs but hasn’t looked back since switching to these. “You’ll forget you even have them on,” he says, describing them as lightweight and breathable, with enough stretch for comfort while still providing the necessary support.
Yuuki Hirano, the studio director and co-founder of Dou Yoga in Brooklyn, recommended Uniqlo’s Airism line when we asked him — along with several other men — about their favorite yoga clothes. He likes this machine-washable T-shirt because the material is thin (meaning he won’t overheat while moving) and comfortable. It also “dries really quickly,” he says. The fabric is a blend of cotton, polyester, and spandex, so it’s slightly stretchy and moisture-wicking.
This striped crewneck is another tee made from Uniqlo’s Airism fabric. Strategist junior writer Brenley Goertzen bought it for her boyfriend, who likes that it has an oversize fit with dropped shoulders, making it roomy enough for his athletic build. The fabric is on the heavier side, but it feels breathable even on humid days.
Many fashion experts swear by Uniqlo’s Supima Cotton Crew Neck as a must-have wardrobe staple. It appears in both our best white T-shirts and best black T-shirts roundups because the brand’s Supima cotton keeps its shape and maintains its color over time. Matt Schonfeld, founder and host of podcast NOT 97, owns the “light and breathable” tee and says it’s “hands-down the best black T-shirt I own.” And luxury-leather-goods designer Jeff Wan told us he’s had the white version for more than three years, which is an impressive amount of time for a $20 tee.
If you prefer a thicker option, we named Uniqlo’s U Crew Neck the best heavyweight white T-shirt for men. Goertzen says it’s more substantial and structured than the brand’s Supima Cotton Crew Neck above, but that it’s still soft and never feels too stiff. “Even though it’s a heavier shirt, I find it to be breathable during the warmer months,” she says. Mickey Pangilinan, an art director at Apple, is also a fan of the tee’s “weighty material and nice texture.”
For just $30, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better-fitting, less expensive Oxford than Uniqlo’s slim-fit shirt, which is why we named it the best affordable Oxford. Chris Black has been wearing his for eight-plus years, and Strategist writer Jeremy Rellosa wears his year-round, whether buttoned under a sweater or unbuttoned in the summer.
When a reader wrote in asking about ways they could zhuzh up their boyfriend’s wardrobe, Donnell Baldwin, a former style director for Mr Porter, directed them to this affordable pair of Uniqlo jeans. According to Baldwin, “Uniqlo typically has pants with a little bit of stretch to them, which is perfect if you’ve got thighs or a butt.”
UX designer Nehemiah Blackburn told us he has worn the same pair of these slim-fit chinos for three years and they’re “still in great shape.” Nicolas Lazaro, a community specialist at the menswear platform Grailed, is also a fan, noting that “with a little tailoring or a folded cuff, they can look as good (if not better than) most luxury options.” If all the tailoring you need is a shorter length, Uniqlo will do that for free. The inseam for all sizes is set at 34 inches by default, but if you know exactly what length you need, you can order them online and Uniqlo will shorten them to your preferred length (from 16 inches to 32.5 inches in half-inch increments). They also offer free in-store hemming within 30 days of your purchase.
For women
Strategist writer Lauren Ro recommends Uniqlo’s Airism Relax Wireless Bra, which she wears a lot while working from home. This bra features a seamless design and broader straps that are invisible under clothes. “It’s what I reach for on those days when I can’t put on anything more than a hoodie,” she says, “but still want some support.”
Uniqlo’s Wireless Bra is sold out for now, but you can sign up for restock notifications here.
Fashion stylist Valerie Halfon told us about these seamless hip-huggers in our roundup of the best expert-recommended clothes to hide sweat. They “use the type of [moisture-wicking] technology found in activewear,” she says, meaning they’re ideal to wear to that next hot-yoga class (or any other sweat-inducing activity).
Another sweat-hiding piece recommended by Halfon, this top with a built-in bra wicks moisture to help prevent under-boob dampness.
Hannah Kotzen, our associate manager of audience growth, is a big fan of this Uniqlo top, which she’s already convinced several people to buy. “It’s changed my life (not exaggerating) and has been perfect for summer,” Kotzen says, adding that it’ll make a great base layer come the fall. She likes that it has built-in cups, meaning there’s “no bra required,” and the biggest draw is that it works for larger breasts. The brand’s signature Airism fabric is also very light and breathable — plus, it can be worn as a tube top since the straps are removable.
When actress and writer Ayo Edebiri threw out the first pitch at Boston’s Fenway Park last year, she was wearing these high-waisted, wide-legged Uniqlo jeans. Strategist senior editor Simone Kitchens previously owned a pair and identified the barrel-shaped pants easily. As evidenced by Edebiri, they look great with a pair of Chucks and a baseball tee. They go in and out of stock often, especially in blue, but you can sign up for restock notifications on Uniqlo’s site.
Uniqlo’s U Curved Jeans are sold out for now, but you can sign up for restock notifications here.
Of Uniqlo’s many offerings, its Heattech line might be the one we’ve heard about the most, from both women and men. We named these our favorite affordable long underwear for women because the lined material is ideal for everyday wear (under your jeans or sweatpants, for example). “I love Uniqlo Heattech for layering because it has different warmth levels, it’s breathable, and it’s made of comfortable fabric,” says celebrity stylist Krisana Sotelo. “It’s perfect for those extremely cold winter days. It is also very easy on the wallet.” The high-rise leggings helped Iva Pawling, co-founder and CEO of Richer Poorer, brave a freezing-cold NYC trip. “These are superthin, so they were easy to wear under jeans and saved my built-for-70-degrees self,” she says.
The U Crew is made of a dense cotton that’s pretty opaque (meaning your bra won’t show through) and will cost you less than $20, which is why we named it one of the best women’s white T-shirts you can get for under $20. When our writer Arielle Avila tested it, she found it to be on the more fitted side, though it never clung to her body.
If you’re looking for a cropped tee, Goertzen recommends this AiRism one, which she’s been testing for over three months. She likes that the cropped length isn’t too short, hitting right at her belly button. The material is soft and smooth and keeps her cool without showing any sweat marks. While other cropped T-shirts can feel tight in the armpit area, Goertzen says this has the right amount of stretch.
“No fuss and effortless,” is how author Ivy Pochoda describes this Uniqlo linen shirt, which she calls one of the best things she bought herself in 2020. The shirts, Pachoda explains, are comfortable-yet-polished, “forgiving of wine and coffee stains, and actually look better wrinkled.”
Another turtleneck touted by stylish women is this one made with extra-fine merino. Leigh Plessner, chief creative officer at Catbird, wears hers layered under antique slip dresses and nightgowns, noting that the sleeves are the right length “to show just a bit of wrist and bracelet.” And even through countless wears, hers has held up.
A longtime Strategist staffer favorite, Uniqlo’s Ultra Light Down Coat is our best women’s parka. It’s lightweight and packable, but its 750-fill rating means it’s plenty warm, and a DWR coating makes it relatively rainproof. Don’t be fooled by its low (for a winter coat) price tag: It’s our writer Kat Gillespie’s go-to parka all winter long. She says, “This is a worthwhile purchase that can be worn as your primary winter coat and should last several seasons.”
Uniqlo’s Hooded Coat is sold out for now and will not be restocked until next season, but you can sign up for restock notifications here.
If you’re looking for an alternative to the canvas bucket hat, consider this crochet option. Goertzen wears it practically everywhere during the summer months and loves that it’s lightweight and super packable. “Even if it gets wet while you’re floating in a lake or pool, it dries super quickly,” Goertzen says, adding that it can be easily reshaped once it’s dry.
For everyone
This Uniqlo jacket has been a longtime Strategist favorite for being packable, super-lightweight, surprisingly warm, and highly affordable at under $100. Strategist writer Lauren Ro pairs hers with her Barbour and says “the combination has always kept me toasty.” Former associate editor Louis Cheslaw also appreciates that it’s thin enough to “slip (relatively) unnoticed under a wool or canvas coat, adding a layer of warmth anytime you’re worried that your stylish jacket alone won’t be enough.” After eight years of wear, it has pretty much run its course, he says — “the down has just about fully flattened by now” — but eight years is “a hell of a run,” he adds.
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