The TRUTH About UNIQLO

UNIQLO has slowly been taking over a niche clothing market globally by advertising themselves as affordable while still maintaining quality. We're wondering... Is that even possible??
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For further reading, check out the sources for this video here:
docs.google.com/document/d/e/...
Script: Holly Maley
Editor: Reid Valaitis
Project Manager: Lurana McClure Rodríguez
Host: Levi Hildebrand
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[@chavezchavo]

The one thing i appreciate about Uniqlo products is that they actually have clothing that is pretty minimalist. For once, looking for clothing with no designs or pictures has been made simple.

[@sightsandsoundsjapan9864]

Muji in Japan is based entirely on that concept; not a single one of their products has their brand on it, hence the name Mu (No) Ji (mark)

[@c_beno3416]

I like that too! I also appreciate the quality of the materials for the price. Way better than H&M.

[@chavezchavo]

@@sightsandsoundsjapan9864 I do like Muji's stuff too but where i live in, Muji is a lot more expansive than Uniqlo.

[@sightsandsoundsjapan9864]

@@chavezchavo that's a shame. We have a muji in almost every single mall here in Japan, even at train stations.

[@shoresy6943]

@@sightsandsoundsjapan9864 I have several Muji shirts. I love it, and their white canvas shoes are my favorite.

[@PinguTurtle]

as an ex-employee, the funniest thing was unboxing the dry ex t shirt packaging. the packaging said “plastic free packaging”, but i had to unwrap it out of 2 layers of plastic bags, a layer of plastic wrap, a the cardboard box. they totally greenwash the consumer

[@ejgutierrez7822]

I was literally about to say something about that, they continue to make claims publicly but in reality they don't follow through...

[@Viennafly1]

This is tea. Thank you for sharing

[@CaptainMauzer]

Most companies do this. My favorite is Apple. Who (and this is my favorite and newest extreme example) ship their apple watches in a box in 2x1 layers, cardstock between each layer, in a box, that box surrounded by a bunch of more cardboard cushioning, inside another box. (so...the watches are in two VERY overbuilt boxes, plus the retail packaging)

[@briangray1704]

@@CaptainMauzer This is 100 % true. I got my first Apple Watch a few months ago, and I was shocked at how much packaging there was for a little watch. Absolutely absurd! I typically save packaging for resale later on, but this all just went in the recycling bin- it was too much to keep.

[@OS3KI]

RIGHT. There's so much plastic waste. Sad tbh, as I joined thinking it was a more sustainable company...

[@MegaPoppy1991]

I'm Sri Lankan, discovered Uniqlo when I moved to Malaysia for Uni. As someone that always gravitated towards more minimal clothing without massive graphics on it, Uniqlo was love at first sight from a design perspective. It's only later that I realised the quality of their clothes is actually very long lasting. It's been almost half a decade since I last bought Uniqlo and I'm still wearing their clothes, and they've still lasted to this day. Not being able to buy their clothes now is probably one of the biggest things I miss about Malaysia now.

[@moonflowerkei]

Uniqlo is ridiculously huge in Malaysia. Take a walk around the offices and malls and almost everyone is wearing something of Uniqlo

[@Eira436]

@@moonflowerkei Same in Hong Kong!

[@asuka-ryo]

@@moonflowerkei Exactly. I have so many from their Airism line 😭

[@sokunthealy7619]

I found out about this brand when I was in Japan many years ago. It was the best find.

[@bchpls24]

I bought my tshirt at the pasar malam. 10RM. it has been 7 years and it look brand new... what's your point?

[@aypad]

I can confirm that in my former life as a corporate millennial in SE Asia, almost everyone in our building were dressed exclusively in Uniqlo…Even our local thrift shops are lined with pre-owned Uniqlo items (shipped from Korea, Japan, China). When I discovered the latter, I shopped less Uniqlo on retail and went thrifting instead cos their style and quality stand the test of time better than fast fashion + at least I don’t feel like I’m letting these perfectly good items added to fashion waste + cheaper!

[@mikkie58]

As a Japanese living in the US, it meant a lot that you made a video about Uniqlo. Even though I truly want to love the brand, producing the clothes of decent quality with affordable price point, I always have the mixed feelings when it is known that the workers are exploited with low wage, forced to work for long hours, even though the chairman is one of the richest men in Japan. It is even recently they started to act as if they care about the environment. I really hope the brand shifts for the better.

[@FutureProofTV]

Here's hoping they focus on manufacturing and worker's rights moving forward!! 🤞 Thanks for taking the time to share with us and tune in!!

[@solarmoth4628]

This is the first time I’ve heard about the negative aspects of the brand. I can see similarities between them and how H&M operates. I think somehow they flew under the radar of companies that get criticized for their business practices at least in the US.

[@ayeTobi]

So besides Uniqlo, do you have any affordable Japanese brands?

[@mikkie58]

MUJI is another good affordable Japanese brand available in the North America and Europe 🤗

[@SayAhh]

So like Bezos and Amazon?

[@yuwenywh]

Uniqlo has been one of my all time favorite apparel brands! Grew up in Taiwan I wore lots of Uniqlo. Their pieces last wayyy longer than H&M or ZARA (both design and quality)! It saved my wardrobe when Uniqlo opened their 1st store in Toronto years ago😆

[@spartanB0292]

My relatives from Canada visited us in Asia once, and they went all out in the Uniqlo here. I'm talking a whole new luggage worth of clothes. Apparently it's that hard for Asians to get appropriately sized clothing in the West. Or at least it was years ago.

[@KASA852]

Exactly!!

[@tannecy]

also from Taiwan, when the first Uniqlo hit Melbourne I was like oh yes!!!!!! finally!

[@anarrzayev3595]

And your shoes from LaNew ? 😅

[@dominicdo2719]

I'm not a flashy person so when I visited Tokyo for the first time 8 years ago, I fell in love. Since they opened in Toronto I shop almost exclusively there. 90% of my clothes are now Uniqlo.

[@hagakuru]

I lived in SEA for a long time - and UNIQLO's Airism products were a lifesaver from the heat and humidity. I've been shopping with them for at least 20 years.

[@kristoffercedric4565]

Here in the Philippines, the whole (middle class) country is basically dressed by Uniqlo. Since coming here about 10 years ago, it took the garment industry previously dominated by 2 homegrown brands, called Bench and Penshoppe. Well I don’t fully grasp the economics, ethics, and sociocultural side of things, but you know what, in my own dumb mind, Uniqlo makes some damn good clothing, some of which I bought 7 or 8 years ago, I still (life)wear today.

[@FutureProofTV]

Happy to hear their items have lasted you as long as they have! There's definitely a need for affordable basics at a higher quality standard so we'll just have to see if the ethics improve over time 🙏

[@spartanB0292]

I think that's beginning to change tbh. I stored away some of my Uniqlo things when the lockdowns started and just recently brought them out again. Compared to the new items (same model, diff color), the old ones feel much higher quality. I'm afraid even Uniqlo's quality is starting to suffer, which is made all the more worse by the huge increases in prices. I was even told by my batchmate who works there now that they were instructed to tell customers that the price increases are due to "new technologies and materials", but we all know that's bullshit lol. The price increases make Philippine prices on par with international Uniqlo prices, I guess the margins here became too small for comfort for them. I used to love going to Uniqlo, but these days I just feel bittersweet when I pass by.

[@iamgotta]

Same here in Thailand too. The obsess level of uniqlo on Thais middle class are still strong event 11 years gone by.

[@twobluestripes]

@@spartanB0292 you’re not wrong. I still feel that they are fairly “unique” in their pricepoint, offering a much higher quality than the rest of fast fashion/mall fashion (and I’m not sure they qualify as fast fashion, because the definition of that is very high turnover of styles and trends and expedited methods of product design, manufacture, and transport to achieve it, and Uniqlo’s product selection updates at a more traditional seasonal pace). What they offer is basics that suit a range of personal styles and ages/contexts, and I still look there when shopping for specific things and find some quality. But when I first became interested in Uniqlo, they had a whole range of silk that is long gone. There was far more wool and cashmere used. I don’t know that their materials were any more sustainable or responsible, but they had a great selection of quality fibers and fabrics with their clothes. At that time, I felt like they were doing what The Gap had been purporting to do, but better. But now, I do feel that I need to pay more attention to quality if I shop there. I tend to buy most clothes secondhand now anyway, if I can, and almost everything I’ve bought at Uniqlo has held up very well (exception being a merino wool ribbed turtleneck that didn’t survive one winter in the drawer), so they are definitely one of the brands I look for in thrift stores or follow on Poshmark. Their ultralight down topped with one of their light raincoats is my go-to winter coat and was great in a frigid, damp London during a January trip, too!

[@duanechinen4568]

Nung nasa japan pa ako di kami bumibili ng uniqlo kasi namamahalan kami compared kung mag ukay kami. Tapos dun kami sa GU na sister company nya bumibili kasi mas mura lalo na pag magpapalit na ng season.

[@readbetterbooks6813]

This has been my go-to brand lately. They don't really come cheap in the Philippines, at least for a grad student on a budget, but their clothes hold better than other fast fashion brands.

[@j_oe6919]

Totoo

[@epiphanyy05]

totoo

[@torsrisawang8360]

Totoo

[@dylanoro9473]

Totoo

[@weltschmertzz]

Totoo

[@wdmeister]

One of my favourite brands. No huge logos, very minimalistic, much better quality than other popular brands, and very affordable. I don't buy clothes often but when i do this a place where i start my hunt.

[@andrewlincoln9208]

Exactly! And I don't know why the speaker said something bad about the quality! The quality is really great from what I have seen. Every single item from Uniqlo is still in really nice condition! They make beautiful things that last long, quality is comparable to some much more expensive brands!!!

[@wanaan]

It is sustainable if you wear it sustainably. I am wearing the same Uniqlo slack I have been wearing for the past 4 years. My oldest Uniqlo outfit is coming up on its 8th birthday now, and I am still wearing it weekly (more often if the wife isn't watching) Almost everything is quite sustainable if you are not buying obscene amount of it.

[@LutraLovegood]

Their airism shirts don't smell as quickly, so you can wear them multiple times before they start smelling and save on laundries and detergent. Wool might be more sustainable though.

[@prayashshrestha]

Yeah exactly, some of my tshirts and Jackets from Uniqlo are 5+ years old. Still very usable, unfaded and not damaged. People are quick to state its a fast fashion brand as they are cheapish and have factories in china. And for them expensive is always sustainable. What a lot of these people do not know if their sustainable brand also have manufaturing roots in china. No average selling expensive brand will handmake their stuff to justify the price tag.

[@RambutanLaw]

Uniqlo is the only shop that I can walk in and pick new shirt in 10 minutes. The reason being is that their minimalist design allow me to mix and match the apparel quickly. Uniqlo is really a life saver for a person who think shopping for cloths is a chore and brain draining (life sucking) exercise. Their quality is also much better than other fast fashion chains.

[@CentaurMoe]

I grew up wearing uniqlo clothes, I've never really cared about fashion, and actually like simple blank clothes. They're not flashy, but affordable and have always been good money for the price (for the most part, their jeans have been mostly trashed IMO but have definitely got better). However I fear for Uniqo nowadays, they are becoming more and more popular, and have started to slowly become a little more fashion conscious in the last few years. I fear as they become more popular, they will likely become more of a fashion brand rather than a functional brand. Hope I'm wrong, but the writing is on the wall.

[@FutureProofTV]

Hopefully, instead of venturing further into fast fashion, they meet the demand for affordable goods produced ethically and find a middle-ground - but realistically this doesn't usually happen when brands grow! Fingers crossed for the future 🤞🤞

[@spartanB0292]

I think they're definitely getting there, with how many collabs they do. Back then, collabs meant higher quality clothing. Now they mean fashion forward items (aka us normies would never wear them) that rot in the sale section until I assume they are thrown out. Worst offender is their graphic tees, Jesus some of them are so ugly or poor quality, you have to wonder why Uniqlo would think anyone would buy them.

[@damnfreakingsien]

@@spartanB0292 at least graphic tee not uniqlo's main selling garments. I've seen far worse ones.

[@graperush]

​@@spartanB0292 there are uniqlos that have these "archived" sections made for collabs from the past that didnt get sold.

[@amyhatch3761]

yes, I've definitely found that the last few seasons I've looked at most items and thought "I don't like the silhouette". My husband has found this is especially true with the men's clothes.

[@magpiemelle]

I have a few UNIQLO garments, and honestly, the thing that really drew me in was that it was one of the first clothing brands I found that had ACTUAL PROPER POCKETS in their skirts. Trying to move in a more sustainable direction now, because of the worker's rights, but the skirts I do have from them continue to be staples of my wardrobe

[@JC-se8mi]

“I’m appalled that this fast fashion exploits workers in China!” Later… “I can’t wait for my new Air Jordan’s to arrive in the mail!” 😂

[@JohnDoeTheFirst]

Cool capitalism american clowns

[@fiiroze]

Well shit u can’t expect no one to shop at any companies who exploit people or else…yuno… we’d all be naked.

[@haishawang9339]

and iphone

[@shx2970]

@@fiiroze then dont complain

[@dharmamuthalagappan5157]

@@fiiroze yeah and then people would exploit us >_

[@suchick13]

I worked in senior management for 40 years in the apparel industry. Here's the saying I learned: "You can have it fast. You can have it quality. You can have it cheap. Pick Two."

[@vashsunglasses]

There should be a 4th one: You can have it ethically. Because apparently Uniqlo does it fast, quality, and cheap but not ethically.

[@jiahaotan696]

@@vashsunglasses Cheapness came at an ethical cost.

[@valentinevansteenbergen9991]

Since I've discovered Uniqlo it's all I wear. I always struggled finding clothes that fit my body but Uniqlo clothes fit me perfectly. I also love how comfortable and simple they are, super versatile.

[@raphaellejoriot8527]

I agree Uniqlo clothes are well designed

[@nasvawda941]

Bought my 1st 2 Uniqlo fleece tops in nyc in 2012. They are still going strong. Have no qualms buying their stuff. Wish there was Uniqlo in South Africa.

[@kurtsullivan7965]

Just to nitpick a bit, Uniqlo doesn't sell their story/history simply because that marketing trend hasn't hit Japan. Most Japanese companies don't have an "our story" page on their websites. At best there is a timeline with bullet points. Also, I'm not sure that Uniqlo based their model on Gap so much as English-language articles about them use it as a convenient point of reference. Third, the Japanese absolutely do flaunt wealth through their attire, just more subtly, as the quote said. People spend crazy money on clothes here compared to the US, for example. (In the US people need to put that money into impressing people with their cars, so I'd say fashion is the lesser evil.) But overall a spot-on analysis and good video!

[@amyhatch3761]

Japanese people definitely impress with their cars! I was in Ginza, Tokyo last week and there was about 50 decked out lambos on the street all covered in lights and revving their engines. Having a Toyota Century is the ultimate flex because that's what the emperor drives in, but I saw plenty of Rolls-Royces as well

[@JokersAce0]

Yeah Japanese clothing is extremely expensive, only tacky designer stuff like Gucci, Versace, YSL, etc. are more expensive.

[@NearbyCactus]

As a New Zealander who used to visit China fairly frequently (until Covid hit anyway), Uniqlo was a reliable way for me to get cheap clothes while there. Further, I have found that with one exception they last longer than more expensive clothes here in NZ.

[@smileysahlee]

Uniqlo would do so well here in NZ!

[@therugbynoise2116]

As a fellow kiwi I don't want it to come here why cos we would end up getting ripped off on pricing as a high end import retail just cos that's the bs New Zealand in general has become good affordable products become luxury or not what it's original intention was and price and quality become irrelevant

[@luxpursuits]

Cheap?

[@yuaelt]

It saddens me very much to learn they're not much better than the likes of H&M or Zara. However, what I can absolutely attest to is that at least some of their clothes really are much better quality and long-lasting. When I went to Japan as an exchange student 12(!) years ago, I arrived with just one suitcase and almost immediately needed more clothes, but couldn't afford any popular brands. And because I'm a European with a D cup, shopping in second-hand stores over there was very difficult. A Uniqlo shop was like a gift from heavens and I bought a bunch of basic clothes... some of which I only threw out/donated 6 months ago during a big wardrobe cleanup! The pieces weren't looking great anymore of course, but the colors hardly faded, the seams where holding up well, the only sign of them being over 10 years old was the fabric condition - but because I can't use fabric softeners (allergies) this could actually be my fault. I haven't been to Uniqlo since going back to my home country so I don't know if their quality deteriorated over time to maintain the low price. And learning that their wages might not be fair is also very very sad. I hope they'll come to their senses and live up to the standard they've set for themselves.

[@sarcosmic6982]

I heard fabric softeners are actually bad for your clothes!

[@Toorn215]

You can use a little big of vinegar as fabric softener. I have allergies too and this works well for me. Especially for towels and sheets. :)

[@yuaelt]

@@Toorn215 Thanks, I'll give it a try!

[@canuck21]

Isn't Zara a little more expensive than Uniqlo though?

[@dannyshen2480]

i have to say the quality of H&M and Zara is much worse than Uniqlo. I have clear all my Zara and H&M from closet FOREVER.

[@vaguelyweird]

as someone living in japan, i have a good number of uniqlo items in my closet -- some airism items for base layer and active use, and a few slacks & sweaters for working in an office. what i appreciate is that despite the cheap price, they are well made and functional. after nearly a decade of careful use for some, my uniqlo items are still in good shape. i honestly can't bring to mind a single piece of more premium brand clothing that has lasted as long, except for maybe a fancy coat? like another commenter said, i also have mixed feelings considering their ethical practices but also loyalty for the brand.

[@hazqier]

I bought 1 jacket, 3 jeans, and 2 t-shirts from UNIQLO about 5 years ago, and I still wore them today. The jeans are my most favorite ones as they are very comfortable and stretchy. The main part that I love about UNIQLO is how minimalist they are, as they don't have any branding or logos whatsoever; therefore, it made it easy and versatile for me to mix and match everything.

[@coastcity7029]

Second-hand shops in Vietnam carry a lot of Uniqlo. Their clothes generally appear high-quality and have a simple, vintage style. A lot of the shirts in my wardrobe are Uniqlo now because of those qualities.

[@Mattyvanz]

I’ve been aggressively championing Uniqlo since high school when they opened a store in my city (I’m now 24). I have a hard time wearing pants from anywhere else, and I dig a lot of the random collabs they’ve done for graphic tees over the years. Classically problematic from an ethical standpoint, but a staple for me as a broke young people

[@nardieinjapan]

I live in Japan and love Uniqlo. They have “heat tech” for the winter and it actually is pretty freaking hot, keeps me warm. Uniqlo makes perfect clothes to pair with other stylish things. I vote YES for Uniqlo always.

[@Stwo]

When Uniqlo Soho NYC opened over 15yrs ago, their cashmere sweaters and selvedge denim at insanely low pricing was something nobody had seen in the US. I still have some of those sweaters and jeans and they’re in great shape after all these years.

[@sonjagatto9981]

Sorry 💔

[@Goldencurry-ze8cb]

A few years ago, I decided to go minimalist (although not in an extreme way), I gravitated to clothing that doesn't have designs on it or prints. Most of my wardrobe pieces are from Uniqlo and Muji. I only have 3 dresses in print, and I love this lifestyle so far. It made my "getting ready with me" a lot easier because I didn't have a hard time deciding on what to wear. For some, it may look boring, but it gives me actually real happiness to have a few pieces that I actually wear all the time.

[@palmsa4363]

Uniqlo has really simple design and I find it really good for someone like me who has no fashion sense. Like half of my clothing are from Uniqlo

[@FutureProofTV]

Definitely solid basic pieces that won't go out of style any time soon - that's a plus in my book!

[@Vanguardkl]

exactly, Uniqlo makes billions from people with no fashion sense.

[@juliabazanska]

I've been buying Uniqlo for almost 15 years now. I have Heat-tec undershirts that I bought in 2008, back when it was still pretty new in Europe and the only place I could buy it was London because they didn't ship to Poland, and they still look and behave as new, despite being washed hundreds of times. Their bra shirts allowed me to get rid of almost all of my bras and I've never been more comfy. Their Supina t-shirts are invincible. The only reason I binned my black skinny jeans was because they had frayed between the legs from years of constant wear. I've never had a bad quality item from them and I have items in, I think, every clothing category (except coats). Now that I've learned their practices suck I'll be cutting back unless I actually need something, but if you're looking for quality that will last you many, many years of wearing and washing, Uniqlo are the answer.

[@yekevin]

I often buy my dress clothes from UNIQLO here in Japan. Their shirts and pants are excellent, with some people saying they look like items worth 2 or 3 times their price. Been wearing the same shirts for 3 years and running, and they still look and feel like new!

[@matejvoslar6947]

Remember that time in Japanese Uni, when Uniqlo had their line of clothes with the print "Same is Lame" and virtually everyone was wearing those.

[@Edgarruv]

I resonate with you so much, when did being a millennial turn from being a clueless kid to being a clueless adult as seen by other generations.

[@FutureProofTV]

100% how it is 😥😅

[@grqfes]

i dont i am going to be fine when i grow up due to my excessive coolness and swag

[@dominiccallaghan1176]

It's also a kind of Gorilla marketing. Linked with the lack of back story, their is arequirement on the client to ask themselves the question; 'Why don't I know who this is?'

[@jokerpilled2535]

Cause the adults themselves are clueless when it comes to raising kids.

[@Rudy1150]

Not you specifically, but millennials are definitely seen as a generation that blames everyone else for their problems. Student loans... I had no idea that a $80,000 in loans for a history degree was a bad idea. Also a generation that is struggling to accomplished anything, unlike gen z who just changed all the social rules. It's a generation that is largely seen as quiet quitting, yet complains there are no advancement opportunities. A generation that says home ownership was a bad idea and they want to rent, and then when rent went up they complained they cant afford a house. Not to compare too much to gen z, but gen z is able to hustle and figure out their own income where millennials seem to struggle and complain. When millennials turn 65 i really wonder how if they will be the worse off generation ever for retirement. No shade, you did ask.

[@aloevera420]

Ever since i became aware of fast fashion, it was surprisingly not that difficult for me to stay away from brands like H&M. But Uniqlo? That one’s hard. I still walk into their shops and hope to come out with a purchased item (which rarely happens because I usually don’t have money). They just have so many affordable quality essentials

[@lemondrizzlecake7766]

I own a few of their knitwear products and a linen blend dress and I've worn them non-stop for years. they've been holding up really well. Sure, at the end of the day they're not the most sustainable option, but at least for me finding a good basic that means I don't need to buy any more clothing for years it's a win

[@olamideolayinka4130]

What are the most sustainable options?

[@rhynochi]

I think people who cannot afford in this world economy to move away from fast fashion to partake in wearing clothes they like, should definitely have you mindset. I have this too. I've worn a lot of my fast fashion items for years upon years. I try and buy the higher quality items within fast fashion (stay away from flimsy items) and I always have them last. I sometimes wonder how ppl care for their clothes in general....for them not to be able to wear some clothing items for some time. Yeah there's some lower quality items but even mid and up...can last. I've had some clothes for like 10 years...and they are still ok. I'm older now so I get some higher tier brands with actual quality products sometimes, but I like affordable basics.

[@lemondrizzlecake7766]

@@rhynochi absolutely!! I still have some H&M t-shirts I bought in high school and I'm now in my 30s. nowadays I mostly try to buy second hand, but to me it's important to wear natural fiber clothes (both because of the comfort level but also not to shed microplastics in the laundry) and at least where I live it's not that easy to find 100% wool jumpers in the charity shops.

[@lemondrizzlecake7766]

@@olamideolayinka4130 that is a very complicated question!! there's so many aspects to consider. I personally try to avoid synthetic materials as much as possible, and buy second hand or handmade things on etsy or something like that. But at the end of the day the most sustainable option is not buying anything at all! so I always ask myself if I really need a piece, if I'm going to get a lot of wear out of it, and if the answer is yes, that I make sure to take care of it properly so that it can last me for years :) That's what works for me within my budget, though, everyone is different!

[@alliu6562]

I initially found Uniqlo back in like 2018, and I actually still wear tons of the clothes I bought back then (outerwear, sweaters, shirts, jeans, underwear… you name it, I probably have something from them that I use regularly). They hold up fine over years of use and reasonable/normal clothing care. I think the only thing I have from them that deteriorated was a black cashmere sweater, but that’s bc I put it in the washing machine and didn’t dry clean it like you’re supposed to. The reason why I have so many clothes from them is.. well, frankly, being a short man (5’2”) living in the united states of gigantic people, literally no other brands carried menswear that were even close to my size. I always looked like a teenager who borrowed his dad’s clothes to wear to prom. My only alternatives were women’s clothing (which are fine for tshirts and stuff but formalwear was impossible to find) or kid’s clothing (no thanks) or buying online (still not ideal bc I prefer being able to try stuff on before buying if it’s not something I’ve bought before). I know they have a lot of problems, and they’re only a little better than places like gap or yesstyle or whatever, but I’m a student and I don’t have the money to shell out for clothing from expensive brands, and on top of that, I wouldn’t even know what to look for in the more expensive places. Uniqlo just happens to fit me, both physically and financially, and their clothes are plain but not ugly while also being comfortable and reasonably durable. Plus, their clothes will never go out of style, at least not until they just aren’t wearable anymore. All of that makes their clothes really valuable to me as a university student.

[@maksimborodajenko9930]

Uniqlo is the brand to go. The quality is incomparably better than H&M

[@ch13t]

A good three quarters of my wardrobe is from Uniqlo. Not the best quality, but miles ahead of H&M.

[@FutureProofTV]

Exactly how we see it, just a step above!

[@omother942]

What are their sizing like compared to H&M? Never ordered stuff because I hate returning lol

[@whitestrips1]

@@FutureProofTV He said it was miles ahead, not a step above. You are in over your head with your snarky attitude. Uniqlo's quality compares very well against clothes that cost significantly more.

[@Lennard222]

I really think the biggest problem with fast fashion is buying many pieces of clothing in just one month. Sadly even many eco friendly brands rely on monthly collections to drive their sales. So to me this is a welcome shift in culture.

[@jess_o]

I've been slowly replacing a lot of my small simple wardrobe of clothes with Uniqlo lately and I love it. I've been pretty much living in their black sweatpants for the past month

[@mnmgirl24]

They’ll also tailor your pants for free in store, which I think is really cool-but yeah, they’re horrible on the workers rights front.

[@FutureProofTV]

In store tailoring has definitely fallen out in the last decade or so, so it's good to hear they're still on that!

[@PinguTurtle]

the store tailoring also never was when you bought the item, it was always done for pickup the next day or a couple days after

[@IgnoresTrolls]

@@PinguTurtle I've seen both. I got 3 trousers done for an hour later and another time one pair done for the next day. Both seemed to be instore in different locations.

[@Femchan]

Too bad most of the (women's) trousers are very short 😅 that's a difficult fix. They're releasing "long" styles now but those are still often ankle length. Saving on fabric I guess.

[@J3nLai]

@@PinguTurtle they’ll do it within an hour in Malaysia or Singapore if they’re available, otherwise it’s next day pick up like what you said 😊

[@constitutionalcarrot3720]

I’ve loved this brand since studying abroad in London back in 2009. It then came to NYC and I stocked UP. IMO, quality, design and fit has decreased in that time, though, TBF, my body type and fashion sense has also evolved. It still has a place in my heart and my wardrobe, but I can see it going the way of The Gap.

[@hankschrader2353]

@@zen_coco2658 you could’ve easily googled that man

[@zen_coco2658]

@@hankschrader2353 go play w ur rocks :(

[@beresss]

@@zen_coco2658 you apply to the colleges directly or through your college!

[@monacd1076]

@@zen_coco2658 p. O. P. P. Lol

[@GP30277]

@@zen_coco2658 one reason you’ll never study abroad, can’t use your own brain to think of how to do it lol

[@evan]

How the heck have you not heard of Uniqlo are you living under a ROCK SIR? Absolute best for basics for the price

[@domi6295]

as a child who grown up in a not so wealthy family in vietnam, i used to wearing clothes that costs like 4 - 5 dollar each imported from china. Seeing people saying uniqlo's clothes are cheap is kinda strange to me 😭 nowadays, uniqlo's clothes becoming more and more affordable for my family, still i dont think the price is cheap at all. Me and my family really enjoy the simple design and the quality they offer, I know they do have shady problems like any other brands, but it's kinda the best clothes at that price range we have 🙌

[@spartanB0292]

Uniqlo always meant two things to me: consistency and continuous improvement. I didn't even bother trying on things in Uniqlo anymore, I knew what my sizes were and I was confident that as long as the item was labelled a size, it would fit. And if I found an excellent item, I could expect that next year, not only would that item still be there, it would have been improved in some way. Maybe it looks better, maybe with better materials. But these past few years, they've been stumbling in these two areas. I've gotten a bunch of shirts that should have fit me but didn't. Hell, I even brought it back to the store, held up a shirt against the same model in a different color but same size, and showed the staff that what I bought was almost an inch smaller. They couldn't give me an explanation. Speaking of shirts, they completely massacred the legendary Uniqlo U shirt. It feels worse, fits worse, and doesn't last as long. The most recent one I bought already has holes, whereas the ones I've bought literally 4 years ago are fine. The worst part of all this is I have no idea what I could possibly replace Uniqlo with. I'm not exaggerating when I say my closet is 98% Uniqlo. I don't live in country where it's easy to pay higher for better quality products, fast fashion has a huge stranglehold here. Sigh. Hopefully all this is just being caused by the recent poor economy and they can get back on the right track soon, but I have my doubts.

[@elilumbana2876]

That Prius line didn’t age well

[@888SpinR]

I'm glad you made a video about this because I use their brand a lot. I still have a pair of trousers that's still perfectly wearable despite ignoring the do not tumble dry warning on the label for like half a decade now.

[@shibapatrol801]

Unlike GAP which plasters it's brand on many of their product, Uniqlo has a very minimalist look that I love. Many of their products are nothing fancy but they fit pretty well and most stores (at least here in Japan) will do minor corrections//fitting in-store for very reasonable price!

[@ayamedaika1756]

As an ex uniqlo employee, I can confirm that they are fast fashion, seriously, the company that owns uniqlo is called fast retailing :)))

[@jasondads9509]

fast fashion is like clothes you'd wear once becuase its the current trend right? unliqo being minimalist means you probably wear them more than once. That makes them better than fast fashion right?

[@frances6903]

i like that the designs of uniqlo clothes are pretty timeless ! i have clothes from uniqlo i got 5 years ago and they're still going strong

[@IMH15]

I have a trouser from Uniqlo since 2017 and have been wearing it consistently since them. The colour is still vibrant and the trouser in one piece.

[@janmoryn8164]

Honestly I just bumped into this video cause it was on my explore page and hey - it was surprisingly fun and informative, so i ended up hitting the subscribe button! keep it up c:

[@ekesa07632]

Uniqlo, whatever people may say, has been a savior for someone like me. I can find basics that I need without pouring my guts out price wise as a college student, and most stuff I bought was of good quality :) just wore a uniqlo skirt today and even got compliments. So honestly they’re a good brand. But better treatment of employees and better environmentally friendly procedures is always an improvement

[@synerg1st]

As someone from the US, for the past 10 years or so I probably have bought a few hundred Uniqlo items, and I’d say 95% of them held up well for long term use. The balance between price and quality has been pretty solid with this brand. A step up in quality for me would be the brand everlane, but for the amount of things I buy I think Uniqlo is the best choice for my budget.

[@baobei9231]

Tou should really think of lowering your consumption...

[@ling636]

100’s?

[@allyssach]

How did you end up with HUNDREDS of clothes in just a few years??????????

[@synerg1st]

Ok maybe I overestimated, maybe it was like 70-80 different items? Not sure lol

[@janytrnka690]

I’ve bought two T-shirts from Uniqlo in Taiwan back in 2013. It’s 2022, I keep wearing them regularly. You would not notice.

[@amyhatch3761]

I love Uniqlo but it can be hit and miss. Some seasons I don't like the silhouettes and/or the colours but when you find something you like, it's amazing. I went on a very small shopping spree when I came into a very small amount of inheritance about 7 years ago and the only thing I'm still wearing are the Uniqlo tops. I often buy the same dress or top in 2 or 3 different colours. My main problem with them is, as a vegan, I can't buy any of their knitwear or puffer jackets as they're made with animal products.

[@karolinakuc4783]

Search more carefully you can knit with a cotton yarn

[@emptycl0ud9]

Love this brand! The quality is just up there. But hearing people I know who work in the backend office talk about how they're always stressed.

[@FutureProofTV]

That's rough, not super aware of retail store working conditions but if they're anything like the back end of things 🤷‍♂️

[@PinguTurtle]

i can attest-it was stressful working there last summer, and it was at a US location. I cant imagine how the strict the japanese locations are

[@spartanB0292]

@@PinguTurtle I think that's actually the problem, they bring the Japanese workplace culture into even their international locations. And that culture is known to be toxic as hell. My friend who just started working there told us that a bunch of Japanese top brass is visiting their branch soon, which means they all get to stay until late at night for a 10+ hour shift to make sure everything is spic and span for inspection.

[@riagurl]

I’m in my 40s and I’ve been shopping in uniqlo for more than 10 years. Quality is definitely amazing. I have simple dresses that I’ve had for more than 8 years. And because of their minimalist aesthetic their stuff never goes out of style.

[@Theres_No_PlanetB]

Just found this channel. From soda stream recommended. So down to Earth, subbed.

[@DCS_World_Japan]

As a long-term resident of Japan, Uniqlo is very good quality for the price. I used to by $60 shirts in the US whose buttons would fall off within two weeks, compared to $20 Uniqlo shirts I've been wearing for 8 years with hardly any signs of wear.

[@vaccinatedanti-vaxxer]

Pros of Uniqlo: 1. Reasonable price. I expect price to quality in Uniqlo to be the best. I only been to Uniqlo in asia never in US so don’t know about US retailers. 2. Predictably, if I need a new shirt, I know I can find a similar shirt that will fit the same and be similar in style. I don’t need to spend hours guessing what looks good on me. 3. Simplicity, humble, don’t need to be a fashion expert to find something I like. Like 5 guys or Chick-fil-A, there’s not tons of options and decisions, which helps me as a fashion novice. 4. Quality, typical of Japanese goods, I expect decent quality that lasts. And if I get a tear or stain, easily replaceable. 5. Thin material for warmth. Korea has brutal winters and a light, tight inner long Johns is versatile and easy to wear on extra cold days. 6. No brand labels. I don’t need the polo logo to show off, I didn’t pay much for Uniqlo so I can be discrete. 7. No flashy colors. 8. Button shirts, and hoodies are the best. Cons if uniqlo: 1. T shirt and pants runs tight (Asian market) 2. T shirt designs (Disney characters, anime characters, silly English phrases) are cringe 3. Patterns (plaid) and colors on hoodies were better back in 2011 but never returns to stores.

[@JoeyLevenson]

Right! I loved their plaid hoodies. I wore mine til they fell apart! I miss their Japan-made denim.

[@WafflesX3XD]

i love uniqlo, and their thermals + tees have lasted me a while ^_^ i’ve always assumed their manufacturing is as bad as other affordable brands, but in my experience they take the longest to fall to bits, so i feel a bit less bad shopping there :^) even better when i find their stuff in op shops!

[@mjg239]

I had no idea about the UNIQLO repair studio! I am living in Berlin, Germany so I searched for it and lo and behold found one IN MY AREA -- only a 20 minute walk to my local Uniqlo store. Thanks for the tip!

[@zainiqbal4203]

I'm really glad you made this video, I've been hearing about how great Uniqlo is for such a long time, but the prices just reminds me that there is a reason why it is so cheap. Have you considered looking at a brand called colorful standard? They manufactor shirts, sweaters, hoodies and sweatpants. But everything is made in Portugal and made using organic and pre -washed (so no shrinkage) cotton. As well 100% recycled merino wool. I think they are an interesting brand that is not well known

[@seanferguson5460]

I have a ton of Uniqlo and just one of many things I appreciate is its colour palette. It's crazy easy to mix and match.

[@xrubyxlightx]

I have a soft spot for Uniqlo as their heattech line (and merino wool!) helped me, a California girl, survive winter in NYC. Since then, i've just loved a lot of their products and dont plan on getting rid of them unless theyre destroyed

[@TheJanmaxPL]

You have very clear english, thanks for this material!

[@xDarkSkyz]

As someone who was a fan of Uniqlo before I started working there (no longer do) and also someone who’s really into textile and design this was hard to watch, but very accurate 😂

[@katherineandini5962]

Coming from Indonesia, it breaks my heart that Uniqlo failed to pay (and still hasn‘t) the wages of garment workers. I used to shop a lot at Uniqlo when I started building my wardrobe. I found many of the clothing items stand the test of time & I wear them often throughout the years. Nowadays I mainly thrift for clothes, sometimes I can find decent Uniqlo pieces there. What I still like about Uniqlo is that they always have dresses & skirts with reasonably-sized pockets!

[@farisrafimeitaputra9178]

Misleading. It was the supplier's responsibility to pay those workers, UNIQLO already did their part by paying the supplier appropriately. UNIQLO doesn't have neither right and obligation to have a finger in the pie on this matter. It is the supplier's duty to pay the workers. You can literally find this news online, not everything from KZbin is 100% accurate especially if it's talking about Asian companies that are starting to take over their Western competitors.

[@farisrafimeitaputra9178]

Additional info: UNIQLO was this supplier's (Jaba Garmindo) main client since 2012 iirc. Everything worked wonders until there was this issue of Jaba's labors not getting paid as they should and how they overworked a lot. Anyone that understands supply chain and business will clearly see whose fault is this. UNIQLO has always paid Jaba appropriately because if they didn't, Jaba wouldn't be fabricating their products. It was Jaba, being an Indonesian company as we all know, who did not obey the rules by forcing the labors to overwork without paying them the right amount. Everyone was talking about how UNIQLO demands for such high quality and standard for their products from Jaba. These ignorant ppl somehow made a correlation between this high standard and the labors' overwork. Anyone with at least one single brain cell working should know who to blame. It was Jaba's fault once again, for taking the offer by UNIQLO despite knowing that they need more labors to fulfill the target quality and standards demanded by their client. UNIQLO had paid them fully based on the agreement and in business ethics UNIQLO had no right whatsoever to intervene on Jaba's labors. Long story short, because UNIQLO values humans rights so much, I suppose that was the reason why they cut their contract with Jaba. And ofc, with the main client stopping the contract, Jaba was suffering (financially) and the problem of unpaid labors rose even higher. Once again, UNIQLO is clearly not the one to blame. The moment they heard that their supplier was being unethical to the labors, they stopped the contract. Because clearly it doesn't align with UNIQLO'a value of humans rights. The fact that Jaba was eventually collapsing without being able to pay their labors is none of UNIQLO's problems. I stress this once again, UNIQLO has paid their duty to Jaba exactly as they demanded. The deal was made between the two. Overworked and unpaid workers should have complained to Jaba instead of UNIQLO. But again, Jaba is more likely nowhere to be found since UNIQLO left them, so these workers had no other to go. But answer this question, do you really think UNIQLO has to pay these labors rights? Despite the facts thay UNIQLO has paid for them based on the agreement with Jaba appropriately? Use your common sense and you will know the one to blame.

[@MelisaSJ]

@@farisrafimeitaputra9178 omg thank you for this! I remember reading an article about this back then and always wondered why did the workers go after Uniqlo instead of JABA management/owner since JABA WAS their employer and Uniqlo did paid all the bills to JABA when they ended the contract relationship. Of course they ✨disappeared✨ after declaring bankruptcy 😅😭

[@farisrafimeitaputra9178]

@@MelisaSJ Exactly, I'm glad someone else is having this awareness

[@sekki5723]

Every guy in singapore only wear airism

[@epewpew]

Love this video!!! What’s about COS?

[@VTREXify]

I just purchased their Ultra Light Down 3D jacket for winter, and this video pops up in my recommendations. Nice!

[@f8s]

just starting to watch, dont you dare tear down my airism t shirts 🤞🏼

[@FutureProofTV]

Hahaha ooops!

[@agnesessary]

i've always been pretty ambivalent towards uniqlo. i love that they have classic, minimal, and better quality clothes than most fashion brands at a decent price range but at the end of the day, they *are* a fast fashion brand using unethical manufacturing processes. the only way i can make it more sustainable is by taking care of the items that i already own and resisting the urge to constantly go in the shop and buy more items.

[@lemondrizzlecake7766]

not buying new clothes is always the most sustainable option, even if you were buying extra sustainable stuff! You're doing great

[@Vac700R]

Your last point is what everyone should aims for. The only way to be sustainable is to reduce the amount of clothing we buy, and take care of the clothes we already have no matter of its price tag. There are $10-$20 clothes which I hand-wash because they are of delicate material or have embroidery/fake pearls on them. I never put on high heat when I dry my clothes, or put on high spin cycle that will put more tear on the clothes when I wash them.

[@cassv9541]

You'd be surprised to know that they do actually care about workers' working condition at the sewing line, been there seen that

[@paulfeldem]

Hey Future Proof Team, I would love to see a Marc'o Polo episode, as they've got their whole 'SUSTAINABLE' division going on. I love wearing their clothes an except for one piece they hold up very well quality wise, which is kinda cool as they are fairly expensive. However, I always wonder how sustainable the sustainable clothing line actually is and how it compares to the non-sustainable clothes they produce. I think it could fit quite nicely into your portfolio of videos, so maybe that's something you wanna look into. Would love that, thanks for the great content always soak it up like a sponge. Very informative 🤙🏻

[@paulfeldem]

Loved this episode as well, cause in cases where my change isn't sufficient enough for Marc'o Polo or Carhartt I often resolve to UNIQLO as I'm a big fan of simple, minimalistic, unbranded clothes. So this was really interesting, some stuff I'm gonna keep in mind before running to their shop next time

[@KapouehKanard]

I love the channel , came here with a video about arcteryx, staid for the ride. One thing I notice is how different consumers in the US seem to be compared to Europe, i feel people are way more affected by advertising and social pressure. Anyway I still don't understand the layers about fashion brand Hyper fast and fast fashion OK. But above it seems to go directly to boutique stuff or luxury brand. I'd like to understand the brands "in between".

[@megaira86]

I´m a fulltime traveller since 2018 and I have some of those heattech pieces and they are still going strong...at the end its still a brand that produces under bad conditions but at least it lasts longer than H&M and since everything is so minimalistic it doesnt really go out of style, so you can buy less clothes...

[@Pimkly]

I love this videos! Shedding light at companies that seem too good to be true. Next should be Levi’s!

[@allisoncheng4881]

I have these winter pants from uniqlo that has lasted for 8 years and they still dont look worn out after many washes. The price was affordable. Due to inflation and pandemic, i noticed that their bubble jackets have gone up in price by 20 dollars. I also brought this gray bubble vest that got stained really easily and the stain wont come off.

[@CarbonSolutions]

Really appreciate the time and energy you put into these videos. Super entertaining and informative, and the production team is killing it!

[@WhateverYouWant3531]

I've been wearing some uniqlo tees for 2 years and they haven't changed at all. They still feel brand new. I feel like the quality they offer at the price, is unmatchable.

[@sergecaron4834]

Sounds to me like a normal American company. I prefer seing à Uniclo store here and there than Starbucks at every corner around the world. I went in taipei lately where it is impossible to take a picture of a temple without having to find an Angle to avoid an American brand. There are all sorts of invasions, one never talks about the commercial one. When you talk about north american consumers behaviours, there is not only the US. Canadians and Mexicans are different markets.

[@SamCableguy]

I bought a trench coat from Uniqlo back in 2010. To this day it still looks and feels amazing!

[@radomiriz]

I like your videos. Good work, bro.

[@Tom_TTT]

We used to love Uniqlo when they came to Canada. They still have decent times like airism and kids clothes. For me, it’s hit and how long clothes will last. Some Cotton based flannel or other shirts items have lasted more than few years while most wrinkle too easily. I’d rather spend more money on quality items. Also, their sizing is horrible recently, seems everything seems bigger/baggier.

[@tanjunior7772]

I love Uniqlo for their anime attire as much as all the other reasons mentioned in this video: HEATTECH, Airism, and affordable prices without being cheap.

[@CandiceandJose]

At first I was like “who hasn’t heard of Uniqlo??”” And quickly remembered you’re Canadian. Here in the US I’ve had to rely on these budget garments aside from thrifting. They do last and appreciate that the majority of natural fabrics like cotton and linen. Anyway new sub here. Great videos.

[@i-rok1117]

I love Uniqlo apparel especially on dry pique polo T-shirt ( i almost had all of the color of pique polo T-shirt), supima socks and 50/50 socks color. The pique polo very durable fabric and everytime i wash them i put inside the laundry net & dry it on indoor all the time so the color will not faded away!

[@drchang]

I remembered someone in the factory for making the clothes wrote about making clothes for these brands, which outsourced the manufacturing to third parties. Uniqlo supposedly have the highest expectations for quality. Vs Zara and others. They actually pay more for third party manufacturers to make better clothes. Gap was like that before, but no longer.

[@markdexter6338]

I remember there was a time maybe 10 years ago when a basic plain white t shirt is just 10 dollars but now i am seeing them go for 50-60 dollars is insane. Its soo minimalistic that the price doesn't suit it.

[@riccardokeung]

Would love to see you do a video on Muji too!

[@jennynguyen2708]

ver y nice intro, keep up the good work bro

[@danf8047]

I've been wearing dark cotton shirts under my work clothes for the past 12 years only from uniqlo and they are amazing how they hold up, no bacon action around the neck and no stretches. and I paid $10 for them. literally a few of the shirts are 12 years old.

[@MrDextrator]

Bacon action is such a precise word 🤣 I literally have that happen to me in one of the shirt from Polo Ralph Lauren, granted its 4 years but i never heard this before

[@dominicdo2719]

As a Canadian, when their flannel shirts went on sale I went ham and bought 7 different styles for all 7 days of the week.

[@BosworthMcG]

Did you put maple syrup on that ham?

[@sheralbee]

"Wear what you have" - as I get older, I realize that I have zero sense in fashion and honing my personal style take conscious effort + time. May be true for lots of people, and that lends itself to high wardrobe turnover. Now that I shop VERY carefully within my style preferences (aka not following trends or being seduced by glitzy fancy occasion wear), I can actually turn to my closet and want to wear everything in it. The desire to throw everything out and shop all new or feeling tired of my closet has significantly faded. All that to say, maybe we all would benefit from some form of education in finding personal style or having the option to try different styles before committing to the pieces. ANyway, great video. I always avoid Uniqlo, even though I like their offering of basics. Thrifted Uniqlo is where I live.

[@kstreet202]

I’ve been wearing pieces from Uniqlo for a few years now and I must say the items I have (basic pieces) the quality is amazing and has longevity. I love the t-shirts, heattech, and the built in bra tanks. Great video.

[@binary964]

love uniqlo, can't complain about that brand

[@FutureProofTV]

Glad they work well for ya!

[@sashavonkirsch4948]

As i live in Japan ☺️ I'm very happy to shop in Uniqlo. The quality of clothes is much better than h&m . Closer to Zara but in minimalist style. Also they have a lot of collaboration with artists from around the world. They have ♻️bin . Only one thing is it's for shorter people(sleeves and pants are usually too short for many people, I'm short so Im ok with that) Also they have dranch GU, it is more of fast fashion for young people and cheaper like h&m.

[@playgemji]

Thanks for the excellent video 🙌 I think Europe needs more Uniqlo shops ;)

[@sydneywolpert]

would you guys consider creating some kind of scale or rating system for the brands you cover, I appreciate how you discuss both the good and the bad but sometimes I am left thinking is this okay to buy from sometimes then?

[@caveman.syndrome]

My wardrobe used to be full of Uniqlo but I've switched over to actual outdoors brands like Fjallraven, Patagonia and a few other lesser brands like the North Face. I find Uniqlo's heat tech to actually work really well. It's about 60% of the performance of a quality brand like Patagonia. Comparing my Uniqlo extra warm heat tech long sleeve base layer to my Patagonia Capiline mid weight base layer I can definitely say on the warmth department they're about the same. The difference comes in actual quality. The Patagonia one is ever so slightly warmer while being lighter due to their technical material that has raised bits to act as air chambers to retain your heat where the Uniqlo extra warm heat tech is simply thicker material without adding any technologies. The Patagonia one looks nicer, feels more premium, but most importantly: Better quality clothes will WEAR better. With the heat tech base layers I found it hard to actually put a sweater over it on a cold day where the Patagonia ones just slide right under the sweater with ease. Also don't shop at Uniqlo and other places that doesn't support fair trade labour!