Today’s drop of Uniqlo +J SS21 is the latest of the celebrated collaborations between my favorite fast-fashion retailer and noted German designer Jil Sander. Note, that this is the actual Jil Sander herself and not her namesake brand which she is no longer associated with.
Over a decade since the first collaboration, this is the second time the duo have worked together since they reunited late last year (during the pandemic no less!). The clothes, as to be expected, are fantastic. They are breezy and minimalistic cut to perfection, and with an unusual color palette for Spring combining Sander’s usual fondness for neutrals in black, white, gray, and navy offset by a particularly fetching bright shade of blue and a few pastels. In Uniqlo’s Lifewear, Sander says, “In the +J 2021 Spring & Summer collection, I am aiming for quiet optimism. The colors are beautiful but understated, classy, and of great clarity. I continue to look for quality, also in textile innovation. The overall idea is sophistication, a kind of purity that lets us think of regeneration and a fresh start.” Spring is here and there’s no better way to dress for it than this collection. After what we’ve all been through in the last year or so, we could use some regeneration and optimism!
They cost a tiny bit more than Uniqlo’s usual fare but that’s to be expected for the extra attention paid to design details and the introduction of fabrics like merino wool and silk-cotton blends.
As usual, you’ll find elements of what +J calls the “modern uniform,” everything from casual knitwear and t-shirts to outerwear and even a few tailored pieces. There’s so much good here that it’s hard to pick but standouts include an over-sized bomber jacket in navy for $129.90 (if you don’t already own a bomber, here’s your chance), pleated tapered pants in a variety of easy to match colors for $59.90, or a single-breasted over-sized coat for $179.90. And these aren’t even the ones that are in my own shopping cart. With Uniqlo, it’s always tempting to wait for their incredible markdowns. But don’t sleep on this collection. You’ll need to move fast if you want to acquire some of these pieces. The +J line sells out quickly and Uniqlo is limiting the number of items you’re allowed to purchase online.