Uniqlo (Shop)

I first came across Uniqlo about ten years or so ago - back then I used to read "The Evening Standard" every day and there was an article proclaiming the launch of this Japanese clothing company in the UK, wherein some bigwig in the company proclaimed Uniqlo were going to be bigger than Gap globally.

I remember visiting one of these stores in London not long afterwards and being rather unimpressed - probably due to the fact ...
...decade makes.

Uniqlo has been in existence in Japan since 1984 - the name being an acronym for the company's original name "Unique Clothing", and it has a presence now in seven other countries.

Now I appreciate many of you will be reading this and wondering what on earth I am talking about - which is fair enough given Uniqlo have 14 UK stores, all of which can be found within the M25. So if you don't live in London ... more

I first came across Uniqlo about ten years or so ago - back then I used to read "The Evening Standard" every day and there was an article proclaiming the launch of this Japanese clothing company in the UK, wherein some bigwig in the company proclaimed Uniqlo were going to be bigger than Gap globally.

I remember visiting one of these stores in London not long afterwards and being rather unimpressed - probably due to the fact there was nothing available for anyone over a size 14, ruling me out as a customer.

A few months later I read they were struggling in the UK market and those words of the company bigwig seemed to coming back to bite him in the posterior. Hubris of course has a habit of doing that.

I didn't set foot in a store again until this year when I visited the Westfield shopping centre in London, and all I can say is what a difference a decade makes.

Uniqlo has been in existence in Japan since 1984 - the name being an acronym for the company's original name "Unique Clothing", and it has a presence now in seven other countries.

Now I appreciate many of you will be reading this and wondering what on earth I am talking about - which is fair enough given Uniqlo have 14 UK stores, all of which can be found within the M25. So if you don't live in London or visit the city often, you may well be blissfully unaware of them.

What they sell

Uniqlo stores sell casual menswear and womenswear, which is clearly aimed at under 40s I would guess, although at this point I would say I am over 40 and love the place! Ciao has put the store in "Menswear", which is incorrect as the store has always sold clothing for both genders.

Clothing is cheap and cheerful, but the quality is good, and what I particularly like is the use of colour in the store - it reminds me of visiting Gap back in the nineties before they started selling a variety of black, brown, grey and white and finding it hard to deviate from this range of shades.

Shirts, t-shirts, jeans and sweatshirts are the staples in Uniqlo, but you can also pick up knitwear, nightwear, underwear, dresses and sweatpants.

Why you should visit

I have already briefly mentioned that Uniqlo is a colourful store, and that's one of the reasons it drew me back in when I saw the store in Westfield - both my daughter and myself were delighted to see the rainbow of colours on display both in the window and inside the store.

The layout is very organised with an industrial vibe - there's a lot of chrome and shelves on castors. Much of what is on sale is folded on shelves as opposed to being on a hanger and the interiors do seem similar to Gap, with the exception of some seating available in Uniqlo stores.

Uniqlo excel in basics so if you are looking for t-shirts, jeans, sweatshirts or some layering tops, this is your place as you can be sure that most items will be available in a myriad of colours, which for me is a breath of fresh air.

They have also realised that not everyone is as petite in the UK as they are in Japan, and sizes have been increased to reflect this. Womens' trousers now go up to a size 16 and tops, knitwear and dresses go up to size XL which easily fit me and I am an 18. I have also bought loungewear sweatpants in a size XL which fitted no problem. Sadly they only do jeans in one leg length in womenswear, however three leg lengths are available in menswear.

On my first visit to the store in February I picked up a merino wool cardigan for £6.99 on the sale rack - and I would advise anyone visiting Uniqlo to always have a rummage through sale stock as you can pick up some major bargains! I have managed to get beautiful fine knit cotton t-shirts for £2.99 which puts Primark to shame given the quality of both the fabric and the finish.

Even full price Uniqlo isn't expensive. I bought a long length jersey modal cardigan last month for £14.99 and have seen similar cardigans for more in Sainsburys and Gap. They also have hooded jackets which are ideal for winter for £29.99, and I picked one of these up for my daughter reduced to £19.99 on my last visit to the store.

I have also been particularly impressed with the fleeces the store sells. So often you pick up fleeces which bobble and look awful after just a few weeks' wash and wear. Not at Uniqlo - here I have picked up fleeces for myself and my daughter which we have both worn to death and there isn't even a hint of bobbling on the fabric. The most expensive fleece Uniqlo sell is only £19.99 and it puts some of the more expensive branded fleeces to shame.

I would also highly recommend the store's HeatTech range - thermal layering tops which are both stylish and practical. Rather than just do "thermal vests", Uniqlo have thermal polo necks, t-shirts, shell tops and leggings - all of which are far more stylish than the thermal clothing found elsewhere.

The store currently have a range designed by Jill Sander entitled +J, which isn't anything like as colourful as their main range but does offer good quality designer clothing that won't break the bank. Much of it is particularly suitable for workwear too - so don't automatically assume everything Uniqlo sells is casualwear.

A few essentials

Uniqlo do allow returns but in line with most high street stores they request you return an item within 28 days of purchase.

Changing rooms are available in the stores and I always make use of them due to the fact I can't just pop down the road to take something back...so bear this in mind if you are only in London on an occasional visit.

The flagship store is located at 311 Oxford Street, but the stores I have enjoyed visiting the most were at Westfield and Kensington, perhaps because I found the sale racks more interesting!

Staff tend not to bother you too much but they are very helpful if you need assistance - which is how it should be in my opinion.

Online

If you are curious about Uniqlo and don't have the chance to get to a branch in London, there is a website which sells a selection of clothing and is worth a visit.

Ordering is fairly straightforward - you select your colour and size (size charts are available) and place in a basket to order. You set up an account and then move to a secure part of the website to pay. Shipping is a fairly reasonable £3.95 and once you have set up an account Uniqlo will sent you their newsletter which sometimes has offer codes available.

During the current postage strike for instance, all parcels are going through "Next Day Delivery" for the price of standard delivery, and I placed an order last week at the height of the first round of walkouts which arrived within 2 days.

The website also details where the UK stores are, along with overseas stores - for instance there is a store in New York.

Finally

I really love this store and wish they would expand their operations within the UK to some of the major provincial cities as they offer quality casual clothing products in a range of colours at prices that won't break the bank.

www.uniqlo.co.uk  

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