Uniqlo U bows out with 24 iconic pieces, almost all under €100
When a farewell collection offers a jersey blazer for under €100 and a chino trouser cut like a high-end piece, you stop and take notice. Uniqlo U is celebrating its tenth anniversary this autumn with a final collection signed by its founding designers, and the result deserves your full attention.
Christophe Lemaire and Sarah-Linh Tran: ten years at the helm of Uniqlo U
Behind the sub-label are two names well known to the fashion world: Christophe Lemaire and Sarah-Linh Tran, who also run their own eponymous house. Their challenge from the very beginning was no small feat: to transpose the standards of high-end ready-to-wear into an accessible range without sacrificing precision of cut or quality of fabric. For ten seasons, they met that challenge with remarkable consistency.
It is notoriously difficult for designers with a luxury background to recreate the nuances of their world at lower price points. Yet these two found the right balance, season after season. This autumn, they take their bow, and this final collection bears the hallmark of their expertise.
24 pieces, almost all under €100
The farewell collection comprises 24 carefully selected pieces. What strikes you immediately is the pricing: only one piece exceeds €100. At a time when prices are rising across every sector, this line makes a rare promise and keeps it.
Among the standout pieces, the 100% cotton barrel chino impresses with a finish and attention to detail you would normally expect from garments sold at five times the price. Equally, the jersey blazer sets a benchmark that is hard to beat under €100. These two pieces alone are worth a visit to the Uniqlo website.
- The brushed zip blouson, a complete autumn solution at €60
- The hooded parka, designed to be worn across all seasons and layered with ease
- The 100% wool V-neck cardigan, a wardrobe staple that works in any context
- The EasyWear wide-leg trousers, equally at home in a relaxed or more structured outfit
- The lined pullover, as suited to a casual outing as to a smarter occasion
Pieces designed to adapt to every situation
What defines this collection is its versatility. The draped shirt, for instance, works just as well worn open over a t-shirt as tucked in with tailored trousers. Size down for a more fitted look, or let it hang loose for a relaxed effect.
The wide-leg cargo trousers bring volume and movement to an autumn outfit, while the brushed jersey trousers work as well at the office as at a more formal occasion, especially when paired with the jersey jacket from the same range for a complete look under €150. Meanwhile, the seamless 3D-knit mock-neck pullover is the answer for those who love the aesthetic of a turtleneck without the discomfort.
The must-have pieces from this Uniqlo U collection
The hooded blouson deserves a special mention: finding a jacket of better quality under €90 is a genuine challenge. The utility jacket, for its part, invites layering and stands out as a key piece for the months ahead. And the crew-neck t-shirt remains, after ten seasons, one of the best options on the market at its price point.
The striped long-sleeve AIRism cotton t-shirt rounds out the offering for those looking to refresh their mid-season basics. Because at its core, that is precisely the strength of this line: delivering quality fundamentals at prices that never force you to choose between style and budget. This final Uniqlo U collection confirms, one last time, why the label has established itself as a lasting reference in accessible menswear.
