The Strategist Guide to Shopping at Uniqlo
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Anyone who has shopped at a bigger-box store knows it can be hard to figure out where to begin. There are dozens upon dozens of options that all seem as worthy as the next, but the reality is that products from any given brand are not all created equal. When you shop as regularly as we do, you learn that many brands just do some things better than they do other things. Uniqlo, we’ve found, is one of those brands — its massive inventory needs to be carefully picked through to find gems likeexpert-recommended undergarments,affordable layers to buy in bulk, or theperfect red socks. Here, we’ve corralled every single piece of clothing from Uniqlo for men and women that our writers and editors — as well asfashion editors,Alaskan cruisers,art directors,actresses, and other cool people likeChris Black— have recommended on the Strategist. One other thing we’ve learned from all our shopping at Uniqlo: Its website can be a bit wonky, so if you click on a product and it appears to be out of stock, be sure to check all colors and sizes before taking the website’s word.
Updated on September 18, 2025
These picks are still our team’s favorites and have been updated with the latest stock and pricing.
Formen
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In our shopping guide to the bestboxer briefs, we named these from Uniqlo’s Airism line our favorite ultrathin pair. They feature moisture-wicking fabric that feels cool and dry to the touch. Nicolás Lazaro, an editorial manager atBuck Mason, says he used to wear cotton boxer briefs but hasn’t looked back since switching to these. “You’ll forget you even have them on,” he says, describing them as lightweight and breathable, with enough stretch for comfort while still providing the necessary support.
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When we asked a bunch of cool guys, including creative directors, street photographers, and celebrity stylists, about thebest men’s socks, Uniqlo’s socks (in 50 shades) received the most mentions. Phillip Wong, the co-founder and creative director ofHawthorne, told us he always heads to Uniqlo to stock up. “They’re medium height and thickness, so they’re versatile for many different outfits and activities,” explains Wong, who adds that the socks “come in a wide range of amazing colors, so depending on your outfit, you can have a nice tonal moment.” PhotographerPatrick O’Rourkelikes to wear them with blackloafers“so you can catch a glimpse of color on top.” With 50 shades to choose from, the color options are endless, from the perfect cheeryred shadeto cobalt blue, muted marigold, and more.
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No-show socks are designed to make it look as if you’re not wearing socks at all. And Uniqlo’s Low-Cuts, which are ourbest no-show socks for men, feature a little rubbery patch at the back of the cuff that keeps them in place where other options might slip down. PublicistJon Salassays he “lives and dies” by Uniqlo socks, telling us that this “no-show” pair is one of his favorites. “They’re supercomfortable, durable, light, and breathable. And you just can’t beat the price,” Salas says.
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Yuuki Hirano, the studio director and co-founder ofDou Yogain Brooklyn, recommended Uniqlo’s Airism line when we asked him — along with several other men — about their favoriteyoga clothes. He likes thismachine-washable T-shirtbecause the material is thin (meaning he won’t overheat while moving) and comfortable. It also “dries really quickly,” he says. The fabric is a blend of cotton, polyester, and spandex, so it’s slightly stretchy and moisture-wicking.
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Many fashion experts swear by Uniqlo’s Supima Cotton Crew Neck as a must-have wardrobe staple. It appears in both ourbest white T-shirtsandbest black T-shirtsroundups because the brand’s Supima cotton keeps its shape and maintains its color over time. Matt Schonfeld, founder and host of podcastNOT 97, owns the “light and breathable” tee and says it’s “hands-down the best black T-shirt I own.” And luxury-leather-goods designer Jeff Wan told us he’s had the white version for more than three years, which is an impressive amount of time for a $20 tee.
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If you prefer a thicker option, we named Uniqlo’s U Crew-Neck thebest heavyweight white T-shirt for men. It’s more substantial and structured than the brand’s Supima Cotton Crew Neck above, but it’s still soft and never feels too stiff. “Even though it’s a heavier shirt, I find it to be breathable during the warmer months,” she says.Mickey Pangilinan, a creative lead at Apple, is also a fan of the tee’s “weighty material and nice texture.”
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For just $50, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better-fitting, less expensive Oxford than Uniqlo’s slim-fit shirt, which is why we named it thebest affordable Oxford.Chris Blackhas been wearing his for eight-plus years, and Strategist writer Jeremy Rellosa wears his year-round, whether buttoned under a sweater or unbuttoned in the summer.
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Transitional weather — a.k.a. frequent rain showers and high humidity — often calls for a particular kind of weatherproof gear, especially something that’ll keep the elements out without feeling too stuffy (or sweaty). According to Tyler Gaul, the founder of skin-care brandProtocol, Uniqlo’s Blocktech Parka is “an ideal, old-faithful, grab-and-go water-repeller.” The lightweight jacket’s shell is water-resistant and windproof, and its interior features a moisture-wicking lining — all of which work to keep you dry inside and out. Availability varies by color, so be sure to check out all the options.
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When a reader wrote in asking about ways they couldzhuzh up their boyfriend’s wardrobe, Donnell Baldwin, a former style director for Mr Porter, directed them to this affordable pair of Uniqlo jeans. According to Baldwin, “Uniqlo typically has pants with a little bit of stretch to them, which is perfect if you’ve got thighs or a butt.”
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UX designer Nehemiah Blackburntold ushe has worn the same pair of these slim-fitchinosfor three years and they’re “still in great shape.” Nicolas Lazaro, a community specialist at the menswear platform Grailed, is also a fan, noting that “with a little tailoring or a folded cuff, they can look as good (if not better than) most luxury options.” If all the tailoring you need is a shorter length, Uniqlo will do that for free. The inseam for all sizes is set at 34 inches by default, but if you know exactly what length you need, you can order them online and Uniqlo will shorten them to your preferred length (from 16 inches to 32.5 inches in half-inch increments). They also offer free in-storehemmingwithin 30 days of your purchase.
Forwomen
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Fashion stylist Valerie Halfon told us about these seamless hip-huggers in ourroundup of the best expert-recommended clothes to hide sweat. They “use the type of [moisture-wicking] technology found in activewear,” she says, meaning they’re ideal to wear to that next hot-yoga class (or any other sweat-inducing activity).
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Anothersweat-hiding piece recommended by Halfon, this top with a built-in bra wicks moisture to help prevent under-boob dampness.
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Hannah Kotzen, our audience growth manager,is a big fan of this Uniqlo top, which she’s already convinced several people to buy. “It’s changed my life (not exaggerating) and has been perfect for summer,” Kotzen says, adding that it’ll make a great base layer come the fall. She likes that it has built-in cups, meaning there’s “no bra required,” and the biggest draw is that it works for larger breasts. The brand’s signature Airism fabric is also very light and breathable — plus, it can be worn as a tube top since the straps are removable.
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Scarlett Johanssontold us that she loves this built-in-bra tank, which she layers under sweaters and even wears while working out. It’s also her summer staple for wearing all over the city. “It’s so nice to not have to wear a bra when it’s hot outside, and they give you full coverage,” Johansson says. “And they’re so affordable and just the best.”
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The U Crew is made of a dense cotton that’s pretty opaque (meaning your bra won’t show through) and will cost you less than $20, which is why we named it one of thebest women’s white T-shirtsyou can get for under $20. It has a slightly more fitted silhouette without clinging to the body, plus we appreciate that it comes in a pure, crisp white.
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If you’re searching for a cropped T-shirt, our junior writer Bella Druckman recommends this one, which she owns in seven colors. Druckman first found these miniature tees at Uniqlo Soho and notes that their “ever-so-thick neckline perfect for layering; extra short, fitted sleeves; and smooth, non-itchy blend of cotton and spandex” are exactly what she had been looking for. We even named it ourbest black baby teesince it’s Druckman’s favorite for layering under a crewneck sweater, and she also says it’s comfortable enough to wear while relaxing after work.
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Our senior editor Jen Trolio is a big fan of this top since it’s “a hybrid between a long-sleeve tee and a lighter-weight crewneck sweatshirt.” Trolio says she first bought one during a trip to New York when she spotted it on a Uniqlo employee. While it has cuffs at the sleeves, the fact that it has a flowy, curved hem (instead of more cuffing) makes it her ideal silhouette. Plus, Trolio says, “It’s a casual basic that’s not too boring thanks to the texture of the waffle.”
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“No fuss and effortless,” is how author Ivy Pochoda describes this Uniqlo linen shirt, which she calls one of the best thingsshe bought herself in 2020.The shirts, Pachoda explains, are comfortable-yet-polished, “forgiving of wine and coffee stains, and actually look better wrinkled.”
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Anotherturtlenecktouted by stylish women is this one made with extra-fine merino. Leigh Plessner, chief creative officer at Catbird, wears hers layered under antique slip dresses and nightgowns, noting that the sleeves are the right length “to show just a bit of wrist and bracelet.” And even through countless wears, hers has held up.
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Our deputy editor Simone Kitchens first mentioned these cargos in our weeklySecret StrategistSubstack newsletter. She owns two pairs (mushroom-brownshade and black) and says she can’t stop wearing them. They have an elastic waist, rear pockets with slide fasteners, and cinch at the ankles for a customizable tapered fit.
[Editor’s note: These pants (technically men’s) are currently sold out, but you can sign up for restock notifications on theproduct page.]
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Of Uniqlo’s many offerings, its Heattech line might be the one we’ve heard about the most, from both women and men. We named these our favorite affordablelong underwear for womenbecause the lined material is ideal for everyday wear (under your jeans or sweatpants, for example). “I love Uniqlo Heattech for layering because it has different warmth levels, it’s breathable, and it’s made of comfortable fabric,” says celebrity stylistKrisana Sotelo. “It’s perfect for those extremely cold winter days. It is also very easy on the wallet.” The high-rise leggings helped Iva Pawling, co-founder and CEO ofRicher Poorer, brave a freezing-cold NYC trip. “These are superthin, so they were easy to wear under jeans and saved my built-for-70-degrees self,” she says.
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A longtime favorite among Strategist staffers, Uniqlo’s Ultra Light Down Hooded Coat is ourbest women’s parka. It’s lightweight and packable, but its 750-fill rating means it’s plenty warm, and a DWR coating makes it relatively rainproof. Don’t be fooled by its under $200 (low for a winter coat) price tag: It’s our writer Kat Gillespie’s go-to parka all winter long. She says, “This is a worthwhile purchase that can be worn as your primary winter coat and should last several seasons.”
Foreveryone
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This Uniqlo jacket has been a longtimeStrategist favoritefor being packable, super-lightweight, surprisingly warm, and highly affordable at under $100. Strategist writerLauren Ropairs hers with her Barbour and says “the combination has always kept me toasty.” Former associate editorLouis Cheslawalso appreciates that it’s thin enough to “slip (relatively) unnoticed under a wool or canvas coat, adding a layer of warmth anytime you’re worried that your stylish jacket alone won’t be enough.” After eight years of wear, it has pretty much run its course, he says — “the down has just about fully flattened by now” — but eight years is “a hell of a run,” he adds.
[Editor’s note: The women’s down jacket is currently sold out in nearly every color, but can sign up for restock notifications on theproduct page.Uniqlo says it will be back in stock soon.]
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