The Spring JW Anderson x Uniqlo collaboration is everything our preppy dreams are made of

Uniqlo is absolutely one of our favourite stores on the high street… From their lifesaving HEATTECH, viral accessories and fashion pack approved collaborations – including the spring JW Anderson x Uniqlo collection, which drops in stores today – every piece is a winner. We admit, today’s date has been marked in our diary for months so we’re going to share the gems we’re filling our baskets with (and which we recommend you get involved with, too…)

Uniqlo has excellent form when teaming up with designers to create red-hot collaboration collections. Jil Sander, Marni and original supermodel Ines de la Fressange have all designed collaborations with the Japanese retailer which last way longer than one blink-and-you’ll-miss-it drop. In fact, JW Anderson has been working with Uniqlo since 2017 and each collection is full of classics with a twist that will become well-loved additions to your wardrobe for years to come, just the way it should be.  

What’s on our wishlist from the JW Anderson x Uniqlo collaboration?

The short answer: everything. But if you force us to break it down, we could, at a push… We’d have to have one of the polo-shirts and cricket-style cardis (and an ever-useful sweater vest to layer over plain t-shirts and shirt-dresses…) These clever, versatile tops would add some flair to our ever-faithful jeans – we particularly like the idea of each of these stripe-trimmed styles worn with trainers… perhaps a pair of Adidas sambas? 

Then, as we’re in that annoying stage of in-between weather, a jacket is an obvious essential. The smart cream linen blazer or immaculately styled navy version (which is slightly stretchy and quick-drying) are spot on for in-office days while the ribbed casual jacket is weekend ready.

We’re mentioned before that dresses are a one-and-done solution to getting dressed. Add a bag and shoes and you’re good to go, during the summer months, with no faffing about what bottoms go with which top… So naturally we’ve fallen for the JW Anderson x Uniqlo dresses for the ease they’ll add to our mornings. The sleeveless shirt dress ticks off 2023’s mega-trend for menswear shirting stripes and that style also comes in two types of stripes and a white version. The slick trench dress also comes in three shades (the black colourway would look epic with golden accessories after-dark) and the laidback polo-shirt dress (in pink, blue or navy stripes) has echoes of the Loewe rugby shirt loved by Rihanna and Hailey Bieber.

Although sometimes we do like to mix and match, so the crisp cotton shirt and pleated tennis-style mini skirt have plenty of *add to cart* potential. Add the finishing touches with a quirky pair of striped socks and a cropped bra top (it’s supportive enough for yoga or gentle sports) and our list is probably complete… See, we told you it would be hard to choose!

JW Anderson Cotton Relaxed Fit Short Sleeved Shirt

JW Anderson Pleated Mini Skirt

JW Anderson Cropped Fit Sleeveless Bra Top

Who is JW Anderson?

Jonathan Anderson is the Northern Irish designer who hosts London Fashion Week shows that are consistently the hottest ticket of the season. Likewise, bags from Loewe, the Spanish house he helms as creative director, are currently every influencer’s favourite arm candy. On the catwalk Anderson mixes surrealism and the most avant-garde of moods with heritage-inflected designs. You can see how big of a deal he is in the fashion world. For Uniqlo, Anderson has let preppy British style take the aesthetic lead. The Uniqlo collection is full of sporty pieces that borrow from the uniforms of rugby, tennis, badminton and rowing. Anderson says, “I really like the idea of taking a classic and simplifying or modernising it with a twist.” Guess what? We’re here for it.

Read more from Glamour UK Fashion Director at large Alex Fullerton here or follow her on Instagram @alexandrafullerton