Fashion People Always Buy Their Holy-Grail Basics From This Low-Key Brand
Ask any fashion person you know—mixed in with hangers filled with Khaite, The Row, and Toteme, there's an affordable Japanese brand you might have heard of but never paid attention to. Uniqlo, the older sister brand to trendier GU (which just opened up in New York City) has been the go-to retailer for the stylish set in the know. Whether you're on the hunt for great basics or picking up a timeless coat or accessory, Uniqlo shines as the foundation to any cool person's wardrobe thanks to the brand's beloved T-shirts, pleated pants, and classic knits that work with everything. A lack of visible branding and logos makes Uniqlo pieces some of the best wardrobe staples to own. Just ask Bobby Schuessler, Who What Wear's shopping director and a consistent Uniqlo T-shirt buyer!
For fall layering and winter dressing, I've rounded up the best Uniqlo basics that fashion people reach for time and again. Don't be surprised if all of these sell out by November 1.
The boxy fit feels so luxe, making it look 10 times more expensive than it actually is.
Run, don't walk—these Clare Waight Keller–designed pants are selling out fast.
Uniqlo might not be known for its denim, but after stumbling upon this pair, I'm about to keep how good it is to myself.
This wouldn't look out of place in a Toteme lookbook if I'm being totally honest.
There's nothing more classic for a forever fall wardrobe than a neutral-colored trench coat.
Barn jackets are so chic, so this understated version feels like a basic that'll live longer than usual in your wardrobe.
My jaw hit the floor when I saw how deeply discounted this pair is.
Pleated denim trousers are extra sophisticated while still feeling cozy and comfortable for long days at the office.
A boxy fit makes this classic pant silhouette look like it belongs in your closet next to The Row.
If you're looking for a shirt that's easier to layer with jeans and full-length circle skirts, this cropped tee is perfect.
BRB, I'm moving to Paris just so I can buy this well-priced sweater.
Ana Escalante is an award-winning journalist and Gen Z editor whose work ranges from dissecting size inclusivity at fashion week to discussing how American Girl Doll meme accounts are the the answer to society's collective spiral. She's covered it all: Queen Elizabeth II's corgis, Roe v. Wade frontline protests, and the emergence of jorts (or jean shorts for the uninitiated). At Who What Wear, Ana is responsible for delivering smart, insightful, personality-driven shopping guides and trend features for a digital-first generation.Before joining Who What Wear, Ana was Glamour magazine's editorial assistant, where she focused on daily news and special packages, including leading the brand's 2022 Met Gala coverage. For more than half a decade, she has covered style, beauty, and digital culture for publications such as Paper magazine, Harper's Bazaar, Vogue Japan, and Allure, among others. Ana has been called a rising star in media by publications such as Nylon and Teen Vogue. (Her mother, meanwhile, calls her "the coolest person" she knows.)
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