WOW, I have never heard of these. Interesting...

I will also be interested to see what everyone has to say. I got a new coat last year that isn't nearly as warm as I am going to need for the Minnesota winter...maybe getting something like this to act as a "liner" might be a good option.

Susan D

Update, I just ordered the striped polo in black and cream (an item on my wish list) and the scoop neck long sleeve tee in cobalt, I will report back on my findings.

I can't wait to hear what you think of them. The prices seem really reasonable- I wonder if we can get them in the US?

Julie, thanks for posting this! I'm really really interested in trying this. I might try this for some basic tops.

Khris, Uniqlo is definitely available in the US. They have a store in NYC. I also just went to
http://www.uniqlo.com/us/

where I could shop online in US prices. Looks like the tops are all $10.50-15.50, which is amazingly reasonable.

Another question for Julie or others familiar with Uniqlo - are their size charts accurate?

I've never had a problem with their sizing Medusa, I'm a UK 10-12 and usually order a medium. I would say the medium is slightly large on me at present so I'm sizing down for these items. I would probably layer over them so a little snug would not be a problem.

When the items arrive (there is a UK postal strike at the moment) I will post back on the fit of these styles.

Interesting! However, you could be too warm inside in this type of technology. The heat is very effective indoors!

I was a Uniqlo fan but the adorable knit mod dress I purchased with YLF’ers in NYC earlier this year has stretched out, especially on the patch pockets. Uniqlo does not pass my quality control at the moment :0(

Interesting stuff. I have some experience with base layers because for winter cycling, I use the 'three layer method' to keep warm- base layer made of 'wicking' technical material (generally polypropylene and merino wool), cycling jersey (polypropylene) and a rainjacket. Nice and toasty...

The material combination in this seems quite good, generally 30-40% polyester which is good for wicking sweat away and keeping you warm. The other materials of acrylic, viscose & elastane are also in most base layers but to a less proportion. Essentially they don't have wonderful insulation properties but they will make it soft and stretchy.

Their claim about the base layer absorbing sweat rather than wicking it away from the skin to evaporate would worry me slightly if you wanted to use it during any sweaty activity. Generally thermal base layers work by air being trapped in air pockets in the fibres (check), by being layered under another top and by drawing moisture away from the skin and it being evaporated into air and the above layer (fail). It would worry me that these thermals don't do this but hold onto moisture instead. It could be a problem with their advertisement claim though because polyester is used in base layers as a wicking material.

For the price, I would say go for it. It probably will be quite warm as I have worn my lightweight Helly Hansen layer alone in a house with broken heating during a snowstorm but as you're in Scotland, you'll probably find it useful.

Hope this helped!

*LOL* Dawn, Scotland was a huge factor in ordering these items, my office only has electric storage heaters and the temperature plummets. Plus DD1 is so toasty and warm running around the parks in November, but when I'm standing still watching I perish!

Oh Angie, thanks for the warning, it's very disappointing that Uniqlo's standards have gone down hill recently, they are my go to website for basics. I will keep a close eye on the quality of the items when they arrive.

I bought a couple of these products last year and I LOVE THEM!

I have a singlet top in the dark red colour and a scoop neck top in a light greenish grey (both colours are shown in the Grazia piece). I find Uniqlo a smallish fit across the chest, so tend to size up to accommodate that area (they are Japanese sizing after all).

I wear both tops as layering pieces, they are especially useful at this time of year when you don't need a big heavy coat or something waterproof. I don't get too hot in them indoors, but I think that US homes and buildings are hotter (and colder) than UK ones.

Last winter I wore these tops at least once a week and they seem to have washed very well.

I would also recommend the socks and the tights.

There is a Uniqlo about 2 minutes away from my office and it is a firm favourite for basics with myself and my 2 (female) colleagues. I have had only one top that has stretched (white cotton and I now sleep in it!), but it only cost me £3, so for that price I don't mind.

What I love about Uniqlo is the range of colours they have. Their prices (in London) are cheap too, they often have great deals.

WOW! I must try it!

I hate wool and thick sweaters in the winter and this is the perfect solution!

The Heat Tech items arrived today, wrapped in space age style foil packets. I'm a UK 10/12 rectangle with an average bust and the small fits nicely. The material feels like thick opaque tights and is not as sheer as I feared.

I have planned an outfit around the blue scoop neck top for tomorrow, so I will post back on their warmth after a decent road test.

As for quality, I see no immediate problems but expect wash and wear to be the only accurate measures of that.

Until tomorrow

Julie

I ordered some of these tops as well - I was planning to get more long-sleeve tops and turtlenecks for layering, and these look like a good bet. I'll post once they arrive and I see how they fit.

It sounds like they are a long-underwear top with better styling. That sounds like just what I want.

Julie, I'm looking forward to your post! If you get a chance can you post a photo as well?

Roseand Joan and Medusa, Please keep us informed, I would like to order too, but I would like to know if it works!

ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I'm devastaded.. I found they deliver only for UK :(

Soooooooooooo? How did it go yesterday? Anxiously waiting to hear your review!

My apologies for the late post, it has been one of those whirlwind days where you feet don't touch the ground. I did wear the Heat Tech top today and I am a convert.

This is the most comfortable piece of clothing I have ever worn and offers comfortable warmth on a autumn day. I was warm in the office, warm on the walk to work, warm over the hob cooking the girls supper. Warm but not hot, all in all perfect.

My only niggle is the sleeves crease up to bracelet length and I will have to wait and see how the items wash and wear.

I only have one photo (manic day) but I hope it gives you something of an impression
http://s575.photobucket.com/al.....7278010610

I will probably order more, however I'm going to stick to the darker colours in case the lighter options are more sheer.

I hope this helps in your decision.

Oh, you guys look so adorable! I love the color. Thank you for the report, Julie!

Julie, thanks for finding time to comment and post! It sounds like you are super busy right now. The top looks very good on you, and I'm delighted to hear it was comfy and warm as well.

Is that adorable cutie Rose or Joan?

Rute you can order in the US.

http://www.uniqlo.com/jp/globa......html#fC01

I've also heard good things about this line from several fashion bloggers.

Ooh it sounds great Julie and LOOKS even better! I love the blue and black together! I might have to give this a try as I get cold easily.

Angie, you don't still have that dress by chance do you? Because if it grew out maybe it will fit someone a bit bigger. Just saying :)

Your name is Julie? I've been calling you Rose! Ack. I am lousy with names in general. :-(

These sound great - might ask for them for xmas! Just one more question for you: how deep is the scoop neck? My concern is, being petite, the scoop will drop too low on me. Doesn't seem like the type of piece you want to layer a cami underneath. Are they so stretchy they accommodate any height - from tall to shrimp?

I think you are spot on Shiny, I think the tops are stretchy enough to accommodate all heights. On me the scoop hits the third rib down.

The little cutie in the photo is Emmy Joan, named after her Great Grandma, and she is recovering from the cold hence her red nose.

How are you feeling Medusa?

Oh Rute, I'm sorry they don't ship to Portugal, do you think you could phone the France store, pay over the phone and have them post the items?

RoseandJoan,

Never thought of that, I just saw that France has no online store and UK online store don't sell outside the UK.. I will try to phone both..
These are perfect to me:
- the sleeve is not long and it will be perfect for my petite arms;
- I hate in the winter to wear lots of layers, it adds to much volume and this was perfect.

I wish they had a crew neck long sleeve top (since I end up wearing those a lot for layering), but I am keeping these in mind.

Julie, I'm doing much much better, thanks for asking! I'm back at work this week and super happy to be out of the house.

I looked at the tracking info for my Uniqlo order today because I'm so excited to try on the tops...it turns out that it was shipped from Japan! Currently it's waiting to clear customs in Ohio. So just a heads up for others in the US - don't expect a Uniqlo order to arrive quickly.

Hi

Chewy - they have long sleeve crew neck tops in their London store, so maybe they will be added on line soon?

Rute - just a thought - if you wanted to order through the UK store and have it delivered to me in London I could then post it on to you in Portugal...or...I will be in Lisbon for Christmas, so I could post to you when I am there.

Londonkiwi,

Oh.. would you do that for me! Thank you.. I will order from the london store (with your adress) and then you could send to me, of course I will pay all the expenses with the courrier! I would prefer that way so that I could have my stuff before christmas :)

send me your address as a private message.

Thank you I tried to contact the stores but I had no positive answer.