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.

I didn't know anyone loved Uniqlo? It's terribly dull. I ordered some knee high socks online last week and went to collect and they weren't long enough to be knee high. The knee high sock search continues.

I agree OP.
Plus I find the fit very poor. Everything is smaller than I'm expecting (or maybe I'm just getting fatter :))

Their Ezy stretch trousers. Perfect in every way. Their Heat tech.
When they are good they are very very good. It’s the fabrics for me. Most of the oldest stuff in my wardrobe is Uniqlo. I have a 20 year old Heatech top! A perfect classic coat.
I agree it’s full of weird cartoon t shirts and boxy things but shop carefully and it’s the best value place available.

Don't buy adult Gap but found this so true for Baby Gap. The kids tees and pyjamas wore incredibly well for years and years and could be comfortably passed on after being absolutely thrashed because they were still in great condition.

I use their crew neck merinos as thermals when I’m hiking. I have never had a problem with them getting holes. (Only buy them on special though.) I’m pretty short and find their jeans and work trousers fit me perfectly and don’t require taking up. I find their clothes to be well-cut - they don’t warp out of shape the first time you wash them. But agree a lot of it is really ugly. I have purchased a couple of jumpers from the kid’s collection this year and find that they fit me better than the adult ones. (Bonus - cheaper.) I live in a hot climate and up until this year I have bought their t-shirt dresses. Now the neckline is so high it’s claustrophobic.Also colour choices seem to be getting weirder.

I love their fine wool cardigans and their cotton vest tops for layering under things. My DH loves their t shirts and formal shirts.

Uniqlo and Xara both have cases against them from anti slavery charity organisations supported by individual women who were victims.

So no I don’t get the love either and don’t shop with them.

I have fallen for the hype so many times and bought things that don't suit me at all.

I've seen some amazing collaborations online and they're either permanently sold out or never existed to begin with. I asked in store if they had any stock from their currently promoted Peanuts collaboration and the shop assistant had never heard of it.

My gran wore thermal underwear, it's not a new invention.

I only have the bag as we don't have a Uniqlo anywhere near here.

I didn't know about the labour issues, and their ethical rating is looking a bit less good than when I last checked, so that's putting me off a bit.

However, as far as the clothes are concerned, they do suit my shape: (broad shoulders and narrow hips) so they hang well on me. When I lived nearer London, I used to get jeans from there because I am quite short and they offered a free same-day alterations service. That meant I didn't have to pay someone £10 to take up jeans for me, which I'd have been doing if I'd bought elsewhere. Many of the collabs are excellent - I have a coat from the Jil Sander one that's amazing. And the period knickers are excellent.

Roman? Isn't that a sea of polyester and cruise ship evening wear? It doesnt sound much like the OP's simple, pared back with natural fibres wishlist

I want to like Uniqlo but being short, fat and booby it doesnt really work for me. I really miss Gap as it used to be.

Yes it’s the new GAP and basically of our time. If you see what GAP is selling now it’s a tragic reboiling of the 90s complete with denim, khakis and plaid shirts

I really like the cashmere jumpers- good value, not too thick, they fit really well. Their merino isn’t as good but I do own a black one that I shrunk in the dryer and I now wear it as a semi-sheer top for going out in winter and it always gets compliments 🤣 It’s also good for basic t-shirts. The heat tech stuff makes decent ski thermals. And I have some jogging bottoms that are good apres ski lounge wear. So selectively I like it. THE BAG is hideous though and I’m really not a fan of any of their non basic stuff, it’s all such weird shapes and ugly colours.

I struggle with jumpers and itchiness (fragile, sensitive skin and am neuro diverse). Everyone told me to go to Uniqlo for non-itchy jumpers.

Didn't work. They're so itchy I have to wear a long sleeve top under them and try to position them so the neck doesn't touch my neck skin as much as possible and so the cuffs don't touch my wrists. I've only worn them each a few times and I always have a rash anywhere they come into contact with my skin. It's a shame because otherwise they were exactly what I was looking for - plain jumpers in basic colours to go with pretty much anything. One a white/cream colour, one tan and one black.

Maybe it's my skin being uber sensitive and others don't find them itchy!

Love their collaborations. Some of their basics are great: the heattech, the wool, their trousers. Their sizing is all over the place.

I like their down coats/ jackets ( I have 5) and have 4 of the bag! Wish their clothes were longer in bodh length and leg length.

I am not ND, but always wear a long sleeved and long necked thermal top under every jumper. For warmth and so they don't itch. Everyone's sensitive to wool directly next to their skin, aren't they?

Do you think maybe you're actually allergic to some of the fabrics?

I love it. I don’t agree that it’s just for people who want to look generic or blend in. It’s great for basics to mix with clothes from elsewhere, and I really like some of the collaborations. Plus their trousers, especially any high rise ones, fit my hips/waist perfectly

Oh, also love their ultralight down puffers. Great for travel.

I've just bought my first 4 things (3 merino tops and a pair of trousers) from them after seeing them recommended on here, and am having to return all 4 as the fit is very off with each, in different ways. I used the size recommendation thing on their website before ordering too but everything's incredibly unflattering.

@CharlotteBog not everyone is sensitive to wool against their skin. I’ve never had any issues with any wool, I love the stuff!

The bag folk froth over is fucking ugly.

Their returns are shit and now they charge. I only buy in store.

I love their merino jumpers and have some that I’ve worn ever winter for ten years and that’s with machine washing with the rest of my clothes. I also like their colours but I’m olive skinned so earthy colours look best on me.

I don’t like having to buy an XXL as a booby size 12 though!

My sister shops there a lot. She’s the right shape (slim, small boobs, no hips) so is fine with the boxy style . She’s also a very ‘plain’ dresser: tbh there is very little difference between how she and her (male) partner dress. She does not like anything particularly feminine or colourful. I OTOH can’t buy anything there - big boobs, tall, broad hips. Absolutely nothing fits me. And I suit bright colours, not varying shades of beige / navy / grey. So I can see why some people love it, but it’s not universal.