Fashion rarely champions functionality and form or, if it does, it tends to prioritise those elements above style. It's rare you find clothes which manage to be both practical and hugely covetable, which is why Uniqlo has amassed such a wide and loyal fanbase. It's truly unrivalled on the high street thanks to its hard-working pieces which form the basis of brilliant outfits. Case in point? Its penchant for creating accessories which achieve viral fame (hello, Puffy Bag), as well as collaborations with designers like Anya Hindmarch and Clare Waight Keller. For spring/summer 2024, it's gone a step further, offering us all the building blocks we need to create looks without even (really) thinking about it.
As we transition into a new season, we need our clothes to work with us – not against us. This is why Uniqlo created LifeWear, clothes based on the Japanese values of simplicity, longevity and quality, designed to be the building blocks of your wardrobe. This most recent collection is packed with pieces that will do just that, offering everything from knitwear to denim that caters to all climates while still feeling fresh and – crucially – a world away from the wintery clothes by which we're starting to feel pretty bored.
The theme of the new season's LifeWear? It's the idea of easing into lightness, be it breezy linens or pastel hues, all of which can combine to create your ultimate spring wardrobe that's low-maintenance to boot. To make things even simpler, Uniqlo has created seven categories within the collection to help you identify key pieces and how to make them work for you. Earthly Tones reflect natural colours like beautiful sage greens and delicate shades of mauve, while Grab a Shirt encourages us to embrace the easiest, most stylish layering tool of all time.
Suits Lighter Than Air is a fairly obvious category but one that's well worth paying attention to, given Uniqlo's glorious, comfortable take on tailoring; Sporty & Active refers to the high-performance items that will make life easier, like UV-blocking water-repellent pocketable parkas and T-shirts with dry technology give your daily wardrobe increased functionality; Purely White is proof that you can wear top-to-toe white on a daily basis without feeling impractical. There's also the Breezy Linen category, packed with premium shirts, dresses and separates that you'll never want to live without, as well as Sheer Looks, which offers cropped cuts and sheer fabrics for a fashion-forward twist.
In truth, whether you're a staunch trousers-and-top dresser or will only wear dresses, this collection has something to brighten up your spring – starting right now. Swap heavier fabrics for feather-light linens in a dreamy, soft colour palette that will improve your everyday style, as well as your comfort levels. With promises like that, Uniqlo is really giving us the new season, sartorial dopamine hit that we're all currently craving.
Shop the full collection here.
Shop: Uniqlo's New Season Essentials
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Few things feel as lovely to wear as pure soft linen, which makes these shirts difficult to resist. At less than £40, they're the ultimate spring layering tool – light, easy and will go with anything. There are 10 colours to choose from, each as beautiful as the last.
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Uniqlo's knitted jacket is yet another item picked up by social media and subsequently transformed into one of the most popular items of the season. In this spring-ready green hue, it's just waiting to add some colour to your wardrobe. Try with jeans and loafers.
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With DRY technology and UV protection, these lightweight trousers have a stay-fresh feel. They also look super chic paired with oversized knits and trainers, or tucked-in T-shirts and ballet pumps.
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One of the trickiest things about summer dresses? How to wear a bra with styles that boast spaghetti straps, or even no straps at all. The genius of this midi is that it has built-in bra cups, while this cream colour even comes with an underskirt if you find it too sheer on its own. You'll feel entirely comfortable and won't have another summer wardrobe malfunction again.
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The perfect denim skirt, this style is available in four different colours and will prove to be a versatile, hard-working piece in your wardrobe. Pair with everything from shirts to slouchy jumpers and never wonder what to wear again.
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The sell-out bag of last season gets a spring makeover in crochet. Super practical but stylish, too, this will carry all of your essentials and then some.
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If you want all the ease and lightness of a linen dress but with slightly more structure for work or more formal occasions, this will be your saviour. Available in beige, black or green, it has a flattering square neckline and will go with just about any pair of shoes.
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With all the elegance of traditional tailoring but far more comfortable, this blazer has two-way stretch fabric and a perfect fit. Wear with contrast colour trousers for a cool take on the classic suit.
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Soon to become your favourite trousers for every single day, this tapered pair has two-way stretch for a comfortable fit. Hidden elastic means the waist will fit perfectly, too, without ever feeling restrictive. You'll want a pair in every colour.
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Finally, a water-repellent, wind-proof and breathable spring coat that doesn't look like something bleak your parents forced you to wear as a child. This is soft, comfortable and has a stylish fit – throw over jeans, dresses or skirts when the weather takes a turn.