GQ - Uniqlo

Five ways you can wear Uniqlo’s +J Spring/Summer 2021 collection

In partnership with UNIQLO

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You, like us, have probably spent much of the past 12 months in the same hoodie and matching fleece sweatpants. With the global pandemic came the necessity to work, live and spend practically every waking moment at home and, consequently, our wardrobes took a knock: no longer was there a need to get dressed up.

Well, now, as the UK government’s restrictions ease and normality (or as close to it as we’ve been in a year) returns, we’re thinking about what we’ll be wearing when bars, restaurants and clothing shops open again. Enter Uniqlo’s latest +J collection with Jil Sander.

The German designer, founder of the label that bears her name (although one she is no longer involved with), has been working with Uniqlo for over a year on her highly coveted +J line, which first did the rounds in 2011. It’s the wardrobe refresh we’ve been waiting for – and in need of after all this time indoors.

All the +J hallmarks remain intact: classic clean-lined silhouettes, roomy cuts and a subtle, versatile palette that encompasses monochrome and grey through inky indigo blues to khaki and caramel. In short, it’s the minimalist style for which both parties are best known and which we saw in the +J Autumn/Winter 2020 collection that sold out at the tail end of last year. Sander’s extremely wearable SS21 +J collection has been designed to capture the energy and refreshing lightness of spring, while the materials and craftsmanship emanate quality.

Remember the +J Hybrid Down Oversized Parka from the Autumn/Winter 2020 collection, which promised winter warmth no matter how long the walk? Well, this is the spring edition, hooded and carefully sculpted for a full, voluminous statement.

Let’s be clear. This is not an outfit to run a marathon in. But we would like to put forward the argument that track pants, hoodies and trainer shirts lend themselves nicely to some movement. As ever, the cuts are streamlined, airy and comfortable – perfectly practical to take you from that light home workout directly to the coffee shop.

Consider this your modern uniform, for when dressing from the waist up really matters. Forget the hoodie, +J SS21 serves smart-casual in the form of structured shirting – short-sleeved, collarless or polo – and loose-fitting cotton tees. With Zoom calls more than likely the future, even post-pandemic, your colleagues will definitely appreciate the on-screen style switch-up.

Whether you’ve been blessed with a roof terrace, complete with faux-grass, or have relocated to the countryside, that first spring sun will feel equally good. It’s been a long winter so your legs deserve a bit of air and +J offers the ideal garments for the occasion. Cargo shorts have been trending on the biggest catwalks, with the likes of Prada and Gucci backing them, and they are set to be your most versatile Spring/Summer item. Our advice? Pair them with anything from the +J collection.

Allow us to introduce Jil Sander’s take on selvedge jeans, a debut item for +J. Produced on classic shuttle looms, selvedge denim has a tightly woven texture that holds its shape particularly well. “If all the details are right, they can be collector’s pieces,” Sander promises. Who said the perfect jeans don’t exist?

With that in mind, here’s our guide to reclaiming the former glory of your pre-pandemic wardrobe with an array of the best pieces from +J SS21.

Long Walk

Oversized Hooded Long Coat

£109.90

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Exercise

Dry Sweatshirt

£34.90

Exercise

Dry Sweat Half-Zip Pullover Hoodie

£39.90

We’ve been blessed with another Uniqlo +J collection, which comes complete with your springtime essentials, from not-too-baggy cargo shorts to classic polo shirts and selvedge denim

3. Your work Zoom call uniform

2. Made for exercising (or at least thinking about exercising)

1. Big coat energy for your daily walk

1. En route to your favourite long-walk destination

2. To exercise, or at least while you think about working out

4. Soaking up the first spring sun

5. To complete your forever wardrobe

3. On a work Zoom call

4. Soaking up the first of the spring sun

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5. To complete your capsule forever wardrobe

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Long Walk

Oversized Mountain Parka

£129.90

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Exercise

Dry Sweatpants

£34.90

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Selvedge Jeans

Selvedge Slim-Fit Straight Jeans

£59.90

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Soaking up sun

Wide-Fit Cargo Shorts

£34.90

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Zoom Call

Relaxed Fit Short-Sleeve Polo Shirt

£24.90

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