These days, it feels like there are more collaborations than there are solo collections in the fashion space, many of which don’t live up to the hype. That said, there are a few designer partnerships that have stood the test of time, one of which is Loewe and JW Anderson creative director Jonathan Anderson’s longtime collaboration with Japanese retailer Uniqlo, which launched in 2017. Often filled with upscale and style-forward takes on Uniqlo’s unbeatable basics, the biannual JW Anderson x Uniqlo drops have become a staple in the fashion world.
Given our high expectations for the partnership, a few of us fashion editors decided that it’d be fun to test out the latest collection ahead of its December 16 launch—and no surprise, it didn’t disappoint. The F/W 21 collection—which Anderson says was inspired by Beatrix Potter, the English writer responsible for The Tale of Peter Rabbit—is quite simply an ode to autumn. “For me, this collection was really about embracing the season,” Anderson tells Who What Wear. “I wanted something that felt very autumnal in a way and that also felt quite like autumn in the British countryside, such as the Tartan mixed with the warm color palette.” The collection also includes piled fleece separated, cozy accessories, and even some pieces for your home. “It’s too hard to pick just one [favorite,] but [I love that] for the first time, we’ve added some home items like a pillow and a throw.”
After trying out the recent launch IRL, including Anderson’s favorite blanket-turned-scarf, we can see why he says this collection is particularly special to him. See how three fashion editors styled the cold weather–ready line ahead.
Jasmine’s review: “Lately, all I miss is the mornings where I could throw on my school uniform and go—there’s something special about having a few polished pieces you turn to time and time again. So when Uniqlo released their newest collection with JW Anderson, I slid into my colleague’s Slack DMs immediately so that I could test-drive the pieces. I chose this cream cardigan, and it did not disappoint me.
First off, it’s such a thick knit that it’s perfect for layering over a turtleneck and skirt on warmer days or under a puffer on colder days. As much as I love a micro cardigan, it’s defiantly not “school uniform” friendly, so I was delightfully surprised by how the size medium in this cardigan fits in an oversized, yet flattering way. It’s such a perfect cardigan that I can see it becoming a part of my very own day-in and day-out uniform.”
Eliza’s review: “I’m pretty much a fan of all of Uniqlo’s designer collections, from Jil Sander’s +J to the Uniqlo U line, designed by Christophe Lemaire. That said, Jonathan Anderson’s designs for the brand are consistently my favorite—and his latest is no different. I chose to test out three pieces from the fall collection—a tartan blanket scarf, flannel pants, and a seriously soft collared sweater—all of which will be perfect for lounging around at home during the holidays. The polo-style knit is my favorite, since it’s the easiest to style both high and low, but the scarf is a close second, especially because of how trendy patterned blanket scarves are on TikTok right now. It’s also super warm, which will be extremely helpful once I touch down in Chicago for Christmas.”
Coming up: I Tried On Uniqlo’s Latest Modest Collab—3 Items I’m Loving and Keeping Forever