UNIQLO 70% Wool Jacket & Matching Pant – $159.80
NOTE: If you do choose to purchase, be careful when it comes to matching the jacket & pant. UNIQLO recently released a couple wool blend blazer/pant options, and the fabric on the jackets + pants will only match if they’ve got the same fabric blend. So for example, this, and this, won’t match.
The tail is too short. Everything else is either fixable through alterations, or plenty acceptable for a $160 suit. But that damn tail. It’s on the border of short & chopped, and that’s going to look too trendy as soon as you pull it out of the box, or, within a year or so. This thing might work if you’re shorter, very slim, or both, but for those who are 5’9″ and up or carry some bulk to em’, that extra-short jacket will make your proportions look a bit wonky. It’s a budget Thom Browne look, and if you’re more horse than jockey, it’s a tough style to pull off.
Jacket Shown Here: Medium. Pant: 32 Waist.
Consider sizing up, but the sleeves are going to be really long.
Shame too, because the fabric, construction, armholes, shoulders, and pants all seem to be much better than the price tag. The 70% wool, 28% polyester, and 2% lastol is lightweight but not flimsy, and the whole thing moves extremely well. It’s comfortable as soon as you put it on, and the half lined back is a major plus. The lining is all polyester, but at least the lack of a full lining will allow for some breathability. Shoulders have very little padding and the armholes are nice and high. Jacket is trim in width, but a little boxy in its lines through the sides.
Sleeves are trim and as expected from UNIQLO, long. Oddly short jackets and strangely long sleeves. Seems to be the UNIQLO calling card. Sleeve buttons are non functioning, but they do have accent stitching. Meaning, you might be able to try sizing up for more tail/shoulder room, but the sleeves would be way too long at that point, and that stitching would be a pain to deal with.
Fabric is reminiscent of the wool/poly J. Crew Factory Thompson.
Probably best to spend the extra $30 – $50 and get one of those.
The button stance is a little high for most tastes, but that wouldn’t be that big of a deal if the jacket was a bit longer. From the base of the collar to the end of the tail, a size medium measures in at about 27″. Maybe 27.25″. And for the curled hands test, this thing doesn’t even come close on a 5’10” frame.
Pants are a nice slim-straight (read, not skinny but not billowing) cut. Flat front of course, and the legs all come in a 34″ length so you’ll need to get those hemmed up.
Leaning and relaxed? Doesn’t look half bad. But the jacket is awfully short straight on.
For all the good (half-lined, fabric, price, and pant fit) that comes with these suit separates, there’s still just not enough tail and too much sleeves. While not unexpected, because that seems common for UNIQLO, it’s enough of a turnoff that most will hesitate before clicking “buy”. Especially when the ol’ reliable Factory option isn’t that much more, as long as you can hang out for a decent sale.
Thoughts from you guys? Do you agree that UNIQLO’s jacket template/silhouette seems to be too long in the arms and too short in the tail? And do you think they’ll change that anytime soon?
I dont think it really looks that bad, but as you mentioned it is a tad short in the back, and the sleeves are a bit long. It seems to fit well in the chest, shoulders and the sides. How would you compare it to the Combat Gent suits that you reviewed a few weeks back, at the same price point. Thanks for the excellent review!
This will go on sale as well, so you really have to compare this at $100 sale price for jacket/pants to JCF Thompson at $200 sale price. Still, to compromise for wool/poly it’d better be a good fit.
It always excites me when you say the sleeves are too long, because that means it actually might fit my monkey arms!
I had the same reaction to it being too short. I’m 5’8′ ish, so the length should be good. Just need to get those monkey sleeves tailored
Hit the nail on the head: “It’s a budget Thom Browne look, and if you’re more horse than jockey, it’s a tough style to pull off.”
I’ve given up on Uniqlo blazers and shirts because I’m between sizes, even when trying on their slim fit vs. regular fit.
Review tomorrow!
I’ve only found a couple of items I’ve been able to wear from UNIQLO. After all the hubbub a year or two ago when they didn’t have ecommerce I was really hoping they’d be a go-to source for me but I’ve always been disappointed and all but 2 items have been returned.
But on their weekly specials they have a nice looking cutaway collar shirt for just $25… maybe just one more hit, but then I’m quitting for real
Last pic looks good. Others, i must say, look pretty terrible IMO. JCF Thompson is miles better for only $40 more on sale.
Yeah, I feel the same way about their shirts, because I’m 6’1″ and wear a 15.5 36″ so Uniqlo makes some of the only letter-sized shirts I can buy with appropriate arms
Thanks for the review, if nothing else it inspires me to head to a Uniqlo and see how the suit fits my frame.
Their jackets are wonderful off the rack for someone on the shorter side, but I really wish they would lower the button stance on them. Considering the fit (even JCF’s short options are a little too long for me) and the price, it’s usually something I just have to live with, but it’s not ideal.
I’m only posting because you asked for opinions. I personally like a shorter tail (somehow sounds dirty) but I would agree the arms either do look too long or the dress shirt isn’t long enough, which I doubt is the case.
Bottom line, the suit doesn’t look bad. But in my mind fit is King, and you’ve brought up so many things that would need to be changed that I don’t know a good enough tailor so it scares me away from this.
Personally I would say to anyone I found my brand, which will remain nameless, but if you found yours and it is the “ol’ reliable Factory option”, I’d stick with that.
Lack of free shipping and free returns kills Uniqlo for me.
Wow, didnt know that. Excellent point. Thanks,
What kind of briefcase is that?
Happen to know your chest, waist and shoulder by any chance? I’m curious because I’ve never been able to convince myself to pull the trigger on Uni (shipping charges + unsure of sizing = no go) but we have the same neck and arm measurements.
Chest 42, waist 34, shoulder 18, I wear 40R suit jackets and 33 waist pants usually unless they’re really slim for some reason like H&M or some Hugo Boss stuff. Sometimes (maybe 30% of the time?) Uniqlo shirts can be a little boxy in the torso, but that’s the easiest thing to tailor so it’s been nbd. I’m solidly a Uniqlo M, their slim fits are too slim to wear by themselves, but I can throw them under a sweater and they can work ok in a pinch.
Free shipping over $50, which this would qualify for. Agreed on the returns, though.
Much appreciated. Sounds like I need to give Uni a try.
My thoughts exactly. Doesn’t look as bad in the flesh, but still doesn’t look (or feel) nearly as good as the Thompson’s.
Does no one else mind those crazy shoulder divots? I can’t expect much out of a $160 suit, but those are some of the worst I’ve seen, and that alone would keep me from buying one.
I agree with all other parts of the review.
I think some of that is that I coulda sized up, but then the sleeves would have been down to my knees. I don’t think I “fit” UNIQLO.
Yeah same here kinda been disappointed, LA needs a store
The only thing I don’t like about my Thompsons are they could be a bit slimmer
Going by those photos that is one bad fitting mother. Check out the shoulder divots! there are creases and stretch lines all over the place. The shoulders look like a craggy mountain range when it should be smooth. Uniqlo get a lot of good press but that’s mainly down to the price.
Go MTM. Indochino or Black Lapel.
I agree, it’s not the best fit, BUT…
It’s good to keep in mind that almost all inexpensive/fused suits are going to be a little wonky through the shoulders. Especially if you have (wait for it) shoulders. Also, the still image effect is most certainly a factor:
http://dappered.com/2012/10/has-fit-and-style-critique-gone-too-far/
This jacket/pants was pulled fresh out of the box. A steaming might have helped, but doubtful. Just not the right fit for me. But I do really believe in the over-analyzing of fit on the web. One piece of proof is that everyone seems to use the phrase “craggy mountains” to describe bumpy shoulders. Just something to keep in mind. But yes, I agree. not a great fit. Far from it.
I agree there is far too much over analyzing on the web. It’s such a crock what many on, say, Style Forum, rabbit on about. Unfortunately it has affected me as I now find myself fussing over the length of my sleeves and stressing over the perceived collar gap on my jacket. The craggy mountains and stress creases though are dead giveaways.
I have extensively. As much as I I love and recommend Indochino, though, their quality control is still all over the place. I’ve NEVER modified my measurements (the first suit nailed the fit better than I’d hoped), but every jacket I’ve ordered fits like it was made for a different person altogether. Even with the retailoring credit, it’s off-putting when multiple inches are gained and lost in various places with each new order.
Mileage may vary, but I’ve found that Black Lapel’s fabric selection has always been pretty meager, and most of it either falls under “boring” or “I’d never wear that”. I’ve only seen one or two suits that tempted me to pull the trigger. Especially when another $150-$300 can get me something made to measure with actual in-person fittings, free choice of fabric, and a chance to banter with a tailor.
Since I have a pretty stable wardrobe at this point, I don’t have any personal interest in these Uniqlo suit separates anyway. The kicker is that most of the men in my family are similarly built, and my height or shorter. Friends and family members occasionally ask for my recommendations on where to shop and how to upgrade their style.
It’d be great if these were available in Canada, because then I could tell my 5’2″ nephew (just out of high school, has no money): “Head over to Uniqlo, they carry some affordable stuff that looks proportionate on guys like us. If you find something you like, take it home, and I’ll shorten the sleeves for you over the weekend, You can start wearing it right away!”
Right now, the best I can tell him is, “Well, save up another couple hundred dollars, and wait for a sale at Indochino. A little over a month later you’ll see your new jacket, and assuming they didn’t botch anything, you can wear it right away!”
Thanks for the feedback on your Indochino experience. I’ve only ordered from them once – a sports jacket. The first attempt was way off. It was as if they made it for a bloke with a beer gut! I then reordered and their second attempt was much better although I still had to get a local tailor to take two inches off the waist. For awhile I have contemplated ordering another jacket but your feedback has me thinking whether it is worth doing. I might add that after the alteration my Indochino jcaket fits me very well indeed, but I suppose that’s no guarantee that they’ll get it right again. Two things in their favour – their service is excellent and the price is reasonable.
I absolutely agree regarding Indochino’s service and prices. They briefly held a “Travelling Tailor” pop-up store in my city a couple months ago, and I can attest that the in-person experience was very positive, as well. They also do a great job rotating seasonal stock and promotional offerings just enough to always keep me at least peripherally interested. Still hoping they’ll have another run of the Brown Bootlegger Tweed suit, which I missed out on a few seasons ago. Also, that they’ll clean up the horrid lapel piping and then bring back the Midnight Blue Tuxedo.
While I slag them on occasion, I still consider Indochino the best option for a budget-conscious guy looking for a better fit than anything found on the rack, or for a guy who likes to have some say in his outfit’s stylistic details (i.e. lapels, buttons, pockets, lining, self-backing on a waistcoat, etc.) without having to pay extra for the customization.
I’m not sure what other options you have, but for what it’s worth, if you were thinking about ordering another jacket, I’d still recommend you go through with it. Three of my favorite five jackets are from Indochino, and I’ve yet to receive anything so mismeasured that it required a total remake, as you and some others have experienced. Even my worst-fitting items from Indochino (a shirt and a blazer) look and fit ten times better than most of the non-custom items in my wardrobe.
Obviously it won’t fit as precisely as something that can be adjusted in-person during construction, it’s not as cheap as something from H&M or similar, and it won’t have the same elegant construction as something found in a mid-to-high-end menswear store. But if I’m looking for value as the optimal balance of price / quality / fit, Indochino usually comes out on top.
Would still love to see Uniqlo put some sort of presence here in Canada, though. I have an unlined Uniqlo corduroy blazer in a great dark merlot color, and in terms of price / quality / fit, it would have been great value, if I didn’t end up spending twice the thing’s cost to have it purchased by, and shipped to me through, an intermediary.