Uniqlo?

Anne

I was in NYC this week (I'm a Kansas girl), and I kept seeing everyone walking around with Uniqlo shopping bags. I had never heard of it. My friend and I found a store, but we didn't have long to check it out. Any experience with the brand?

8 years ago

Shopping

18 replies

Latest reply was from kkards

Greyscale

Veteran

It's a Japanese brand that reminds me of the Gap in the 90s: good cotton basics (and more). The quality tends to be very good for the price. We have a big store here, so it's become one of my main sources of tees and sweaters. Their fit isn't quite right for me, though, so I buy less than I might otherwise (which is probably good, or else I'd end up with a closet of basics and nothing else). Their down puffer jackets and vests are really popular -- lightweight and very useful.

Oh, and their designer collaborations are often excellent.

8 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

YES. "Japanese Gap" is how I see them.

Basic, good quality, very casual, and LOTS of colour options. Some of the items are quite quirky, and they have fun designer collaborations too. Uniqlo is always worth a look. One of my yoga jackets comes from Uniqlo.

UNIQLO

Women Light Warm Padded Parka

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8 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

HAH. Greyscale and I wrote to you at the same time and said the same thing.

8 years ago

Anne

Active Member

Any experience with the quality of their cashmere or fit on jeans?

8 years ago

MTBGirl

Veteran

Well, you've gotten good input already. I'll just add that I have a few items and find the quality good as well as the price. I also have the jacket Angie shows above and a few drapey tees. Their fit seems right for me, just in the larger of my two sizes.

8 years ago

Anne

Active Member

thanks ladies! I think I will place an order.

8 years ago

Muffin

Veteran

Some sizes seem to be cut very small but they do post measurements for each size which is helpful. I like the Heat tech undershirts and always use under my sweaters in the winter. I'd like to try the cashmere sweaters and down jackets this year.

8 years ago

approprio

(website)

Veteran

My favourite of the large retailers, hands down. Quality across the board is consistently excellent for the price, although their range can be limiting.

I quite like their denim, although I find the fit rather frustrating. They can be low in the rise and loose around the waist. If you want to show any more than a half tuck with a good belt, best go elsewhere.

Their cashmere is pretty good but prone to pilling on the finer gages. Their thicker knits tend to hold up better.

(dressed head to toe in the 'qlo right now)

8 years ago

Diana

Veteran

What the others said. Good quality basics, fun designer collars. I think they skew a bit sporty. I'll add that I find the sizing inconsistent so I prefer to try in stow if I can. Although they do have useful garment measurements on their site for most items, which I really appreciate and wish all stores would do - they're a bit hard to find, but basically if you click "size chart" from an individual product page it will give you garment measurements for that item.

I haven't tried their jeans. But I like the cashmere. It's good quality for the price. I mean, it's not a Brora or anything but I'd say the quality is comparable to, say, Ann Taylor or BR cashmere that costs twice as much.

I also quite like their fine merino sweaters and I think they are a screaming good deal at 20-30 bucks.

8 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Another vote for the Merino wool knitwear. My clients LOVE those pieces. They can run small though.

8 years ago

BrieN

Veteran

Any experience with the rain gear? They said the stretch block tech jacket is waterproof but I'm suspicious. I'd love to know if anyone has tried this item, or anything Block Tech.

Eta: do they do discounting like Gap and BR and others?

UNIQLO

Women Block Tech Coat

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8 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

I love their Heattech stuff. I think Uniqlo is the new LL Bean for preppies

8 years ago

Bonnie

Veteran

I went into Uniqlo when I was in NYC this summer and didn't find anything but DH got 4 linen shirts for a great price that he really likes.

8 years ago

anchie

Veteran

I have a couple of basic merino sweaters and cashmere turtlenecks, but did not like anything this summer.

8 years ago

Cococat

Veteran

I'm a heattech fan too, and I love their knitwear for quality and colour choice.

8 years ago

Greyscale

Veteran

Angie, that's too funny! We really did read each other's minds.

Re: discounting - not really, no. They rarely do site-wide discounts, but they do occasional specials on current-season popular things, eg, sweaters for $20 instead of $30 for a few days at the beginning of the season. Items tend to sell out over the course of the season and get marked down a lot when it's down to a few odd sizes and colors. They clear their stock quite efficiently. Some styles are re-stocked the next year but often with slight changes to the design.

Unlike the Gap, I try to buy things when I first notice them at Uniqlo. Waiting often means I'll miss it in my size, and if it shows up for $10 less the next week, well, the prices are so low that I don't mind having paid more. It's not like the Gap where you really shouldn't ever pay full price.

8 years ago

BrieN

Veteran

Thanks for the information, Greyscale. It took me a long time to realize the discount practices at Gap, Banana Republic, and the like. I appreciate knowing that I won't necessarilybe kicking myself by spending full price for items at Uniqlo (as I have already purchased a few things).
Many thanks.

8 years ago

kkards

Veteran

re discounting...they do discount, but its very targeted....check the website for their weekly promotions. also they generally only ship free for large orders (usually over $125, but sometimes they run a $100 special) and there is a $7 charge on returns....so factor that it. also they tend to run small and narrow.

8 years ago

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