To not understand the love for Uniqlo?

[EnchantedAutumn]

It isn't ugly, it isn't great, but wtf is it exactly?
I understand that it is affordable basics in some natural fabrics and that's a great idea, it's a giant improvement on Primark's model (not to mention many higher market brands), but everything has always looked so dull to me. I once purchased a few items and the fit was off, the cotton felt too stiff and the merino had a weird sheen and felt too thin. I didn't bother again. A lot of their clothing reminds me of my old school uniform: square, similar hues and depressing. And I say this as someone who likes minimalism.

We all like different things, this is understandable, but what surprises me is it's popularity on MN. Almost any S&B quest will be met with joyous cries of "uniqlo!" and I just don't get the love.

I believe that many higher priced, "authentic" brands are also taking the piss, which could be seen as more problematic, but the Uniqlo love escapes me.

It has good sportswear and clothes for slim children and teenagers. My DCs love the super soft pyjamas, heattech underlayers and super comfy and warm sweatpants. The winter coats are also pretty good, though prices have gone up a lot and the collection this year doesn’t suit me, sadly. The collaborations and men’s T-shirts are interesting - women’s wear I find a bit stiff and unaccommodating of boobs. And I love the automated checkout where you don’t need to scan anything.

Some years ago the DH bought me a dress from their store in Japan. It was a medium and I couldn’t zip it up. A very kind shop assistant in the Regent St store let me swap it for a ‘European’ medium. So the clothes sold in the UK are different. It was also shorter, by the way

I have boobs and curve so lots doesn't look great on me and I'm very short but find some of their tops too short for me.

However, their oversized airism tshirt is the most comfortable thing you'll ever wear and they look as good as the day you buy them for years (7 and counting!).

14yr old DS likes their stuff. He likes relatively plain, simple stuff and it ticks those boxes for him.

I love my airism tshirt too.

I bought a dress yesterday, was a bit dubious but thought it'd be warm and comfortable for working at home. Have already had 2 compliments on it today. So there you go!

I love plain simple stuff but can't find it at uniqlo!
I cant find it anywhere lately to be honest.

I like it because I find shopping for clothes dull. I love their long sleeved polo neck jersey tops, their heattech socks, pima cotton t shirts and their jeans. Got some reliable, had for years stuff from the collaborations. Plus, they sell lots of natural fibres.

I think the styling on the website is dull, and the stores aren't particularly appealing, but I do find the odd good basic. It's no Gap (as in 20 years ago Gap) though.

https://goodonyou.eco/how-ethical-is-uniqlo/

How exactly is it better than Primark, ethically speaking?

Muji do good quality plain simple clothing.

The few times I went, a few years ago now, I found the quality pretty poor. I'm hardly discerning either. Their online returns policy also annoys me. It's like the Velvetiser - classic cases of MN hype imo.

Hi, I have been to the Uniqlo flagship store in Tokyo- in there is what they might as well have called ‘the fat westerners’ floor, where clothes, (not the same styles usually as in the rest of the store), are sized S, M, etc. but to match UK/EU/US sizing.

I found it a bit weird and embarrassing but still bought a few things whilst I was there🫢

I also have some of their heat-tech stuff from when I was thinner and found it very good. Now it just reproaches me from the back of the wardrobe 🙃

Cos, Great Plains, Roman?

I’d go to Benetton for those sorts of things. Sweaters, t-shirts, shirts. I do miss GAP & Benetton from years ago, though!

I also don’t get the love for that half moon cord or nylon bag. I went to see what all the fuss was about and just thought ‘meh’.

I did, however, like the look of some of the Uniqlo-C collaboration.

Comfy

Practical

Everyday

HEAT TECH!!!

Whole family

The Japanese have a distinct sense of humour... You do realise it's an anagram for ugli on

I have a lot of their stuff. Their boxy jumpers look good with my wide legs trousers (M&S) and my flared jeans.
I am tall and lean so maybe you're onto something with the fit.
I have a couple of their jumper dresses which are just tubes with polo necks.

Interesting ethical info, what is the deal with slave workers?

It's just another tiktok fad that nobody will remember in a year.

The crossbody bag is supposed to be popular now. Reminds me of early 2000 hobo bags

Same with the white fox brand hoodies

I feel this way about Cos. People rave it on here, but all I see is sack-like shapes and boring drab colours. Everything is black, white or beige with the occasional splash of navy.

i like Uniqlo for basics like T-shirts, heattech, pyjamas, etc. Not all of it is great, but I have had lots of very useful items from there over the years.

Except it isn't as it's a Q not a G

Another vote here for the airism longline tops - comfy, accommodate my huge norks while disguising the spare tire(s) instead of clinging to it (them), and have survived being washed a zillion times.

The stores and website are not chaotic like h&m for example.