I'm Upgrading My Closet With These Chic Takes on Winter Essentials

Here's the truth: I used to live in a house with four of my friends, and we all used to buy the same Uniqlo U sweaters and jackets in different colors. It was never planned, it just happened, and somehow we were always surprised enough to spot each other in a new Uniqlo item and exclaim, "Wait, I just bought that in navy!" or grey, or black, or brown—you get it.

It should come as no surprise that we'd gravitate toward Uniqlo's specialty line headed by the high-fashion Parisian designer Christophe Lemaire, formerly of Hermès, Lacoste, and YSL. Lemaire is credited with imbueing Hermès with a simplified athesthetic that never sacrificed on luxury. And with Uniqlo U, he sets out to accomplish a somewhat opposing task: elevating a brand that is well known for its simplicity. So, these days, when Lemaire isn't running his eponymous label, he's overseeing this ultra-modern line of Uniqlo essentials meant to see consumers through seasons and seasons to come. This year's F/W collection is no different: It's filled with innovative and chic designs like padded parkas and trenches, merino sweaters and twill pants, bow tie dresses and satin midi skirts. My cart is already overflowing quality goods—keep scrolling to see what I'm buying.

Sweaters:

Tops:

Bottoms:

Dresses:

Outerwear:

Up next, the new line helping me dress like a French girl.