To put it plainly, we love Uniqlo over in these parts. Let us count the ways: the Japanese clothing brand consistently releases well-made and versatile pieces offered at affordable prices. Uniqlo also collabs with the coolest, most unexpected designers for fresh takes on everyday basics. And, perhaps most importantly, everything Uniqlo comes out with is top-notch quality — and it's safe to say that's because of the retailer's in-house specialty fabrics, all smartly trademarked with names like Heattech, AIRism, and 3D Knit. Chef's kiss — it's absolutely genius.
In preparation for the colder months ahead, we've broken down Uniqlo's best-selling and most-loved fall fabrics, along with the signature layering pieces we're eyeing for dropping temperatures. From textured knitted pullovers to barely-there insulating intimates, get to know why these Uniqlo cult faves are crucial — not just as seasonal must-haves but as timeless capsule staples you'll return to year after year.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Uniqlo Heatteach
Ask the best fall dressers what their secret to layering without the bulk is and it's likely they'll dish on Uniqlo's Heattech. These super-soft, barely-there pieces slip on like a second skin to instantly create warmth. And if sweat or friction is an issue you're worried about, Uniqlo is already ahead of you — these Heattech base layers are moisture-wicking, have odor control, and are anti-static.
Uniqlo WOMEN HEATTECH LEGGINGS, $, available at Uniqlo
Uniqlo AIRism
Similar to Heattech, Uniqlo's AIRism collection features super lightweight base layers and intimates that contour the body, all while retaining its quick-drying technology. If you're want to avoid underwear or bra lines in certain outfits, make sure you're wearing AIRism underneath.
Uniqlo WOMEN AIRism RELAXED WIRELESS BRA, $, available at UniqloShopUniqlo AIRism
Uniqlo WOMEN AIRism BODY SHAPER NON-LINED HALF SHORTS, $, available at UniqloShopUniqlo AIRism
Uniqlo WOMEN AIRism ULTRA SEAMLESS HIPHUGGERS, $, available at Uniqlo
Uniqlo Ultra Light Down
The thing about most outerwear is that they're heavy, they're bulky, and they're high-maintenance. Not so with Uniqlo's super warm, water-repellent Ultra Light Down collection. These fluffy outers feel like you're barely wearing a winter jacket — they're actually that feather-light, making it easy to crush them down into a pocket-sized pouch (which is included for most of these pieces).
Uniqlo WOMEN ULTRA LIGHT DOWN HOODED COAT, $, available at Uniqlo
Uniqlo Extra Fine Merino Wool
For a more luxe dressing experience, you can't go wrong with Uniqlo's Extra Fine Merino Wool pieces. With all the warming properties of wool but without any of the roughness or thickness, these smooth-finish merino sweaters and dresses are as comfortable to wear as they are versatile.
Uniqlo WOMEN EXTRA FINE MERINO BLEND MOCK NECK TUNIC, $, available at Uniqlo
Uniqlo 3D Knit
Sometimes, you just want to wear a knit that is unabashedly textured and chunky. Luckily, Uniqlo's line of all-cotton 3D Knits can create the voluminous silhouettes you crave.
Uniqlo x Mame Kurogouchi 3D KNIT RIBBED FRONT SLIT LONG TROUSERS, $, available at UniqloShopUniqlo 3D Knit
Uniqlo WOMEN 3D KNIT COTTON CREW NECK SWEATER, $, available at UniqloShopUniqlo 3D Knit
Uniqlo WOMEN 3D KNIT COTTON BOAT NECK LONG-SLEEVE DRESS, $, available at Uniqlo
Uniqlo Ultra Stretch
If it's not apparent to you by this point, Uniqlo clothes are wildly comfortable. Case in point: these velvet-like loungewear pants are swingy, fuzzy-soft, and can stretch like woah.
Uniqlo WOMEN ULTRA STRETCH ACTIVE JOGGER PANTS, $, available at Uniqlo
Uniqlo Fleece
Fleece is essential for cold weather, and no brand does relaxed fluff like Uniqlo. Plushy and cuddly, these tops and jackets are also wrinkle-resistant and quick-dry (in case you're also wearing them for exercise).
Uniqlo WOMEN FLUFFY YARN FLEECE FULL-ZIP JACKET, $, available at UniqloShopUniqlo Fleece
Uniqlo WOMEN HEATTECH FLEECE TURTLENECK LONG-SLEEVE T-SHIRT, $, available at UniqloShopUniqlo Fleece
Uniqlo FLUFFY YARN FLEECE SLIPPERS, $, available at Uniqlo
Uniqlo Flannel
You can't talk about classic fall fabrics without mentioning flannel. What we especially love about these plaid pieces is that they're slightly boxy, making them easy to wear on their own or with other layers (perhaps over a Uniqlo Heattech piece?) for maximum warmth.
Uniqlo WOMEN FLANNEL CHECKED LONG-SLEEVE SHIRT, $, available at UniqloShopUniqlo Flannel
Uniqlo WOMEN SOFT FLANNEL LONG-SLEEVE FLARE DRESS, $, available at UniqloShopUniqlo Flannel
Uniqlo WOMEN LIGHT FLANNEL LONG-SLEEVE SHIRT, $, available at Uniqlo
Uniqlo Cashmere
We're closing out this Uniqlo fabrics guide with 100% cashmere. Luxe, decadent, and still very affordable at under $100 — or, under $50 if you grab them on sale! If you're in the market for a few cashmere staples, Uniqlo is the place to find a whole slew of sweater styles — crew necks, V necks, turtlenecks — in an array of seasonal and classic colors.
Around this time last year, our fantasies whirred with men wearing jewelry — think: Normal People‘s Paul Mescal and Bridgerton’s Regé-Jean Page and the shiny silver specimens hanging around their necks. Locked up at home, with little to do but stare at our tiny little screens, we thirsted after our celebrity crushes, men whose accessories glinted in the sun and jangled with their every step. A year and countless men-in-jewelrysightingslater, though, standard-issue necklaces have started to thaw out. Luckily, there’s now an even hotter ornament that all our crushes are wearing: jewelry that goes a little deeper, literally.
In a trend to rival the rising popularity of women turning their ears into charm bracelets, men are getting on board with their own piercing treasure chest. In May, Hulu released the first promotional images from the forthcoming biographical miniseries Pam & Tommy. In the photos, British actress Lily James, playing Baywatch star Pamela Anderson, and Sebastian Stan (Captain America), channeling Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee, recreated an iconic image of the ‘90s ür-couple, in which Anderson is seen biting Lee’s nipple ring. Just like the original photo, which was taken in 2005, after Lee and Anderson had divorced (true passion flames eternal), it became an immediate fan favorite. When Stan posted the restaged image on his Instagram account, the photo garnered more than 1.8 million likes, leading GQ UK to pose the question: “Could [this] mark the return of the nipple ring?”
The answer came in the form of an impressive display of body jewelry flooding our feeds. For the iHeartRadio Awards in May, “Old Town Road” singer Lil Nas X wore an array of spiked hoop earrings that spread all the way up his ear. Two months later, in July, Timothée Chalamet arrived on the red carpet at Cannes for the premiere of Wes Anderson’s The French Dispatch, wearing a silver-and-gold Tom Ford suit, a Clash de Cartier bracelet, and two black cartilage hoops gracing his upper ear. Though the new additions were most likely part of his makeover for his role as a star-crossed lover in Call Me By Your Name director Luca Guadagnino’s forthcoming film Bones & All, which involved Chalamet dyeing his signature dark curls bright red (a hue that is no longer part of his look), we couldn’t help crossing our fingers that he wouldn’t ditch his new baubles as quickly as he shed the blinding locks.
Then there is Gossip Girl’s resident “Sk8r Boi,” Aki Menzies (Evan Mock), who wears a gold cartilage earring alongside his pink buzzcut. The hairstyle alone is a departure from the pretty boy look established in the original series, but it’s the piercing that truly sets the 2021 re-imagination apart in our hearts. Dan Humphrey, the first show’s brooding and Brooklyn-based character who dwells on the social fringe, didn’t dare to wear jewelry, let alone pierce his ears. (It goes without saying, neither did prep kings Nate Archibald and Chuck Bass.) In 2021, though, cartilage rings are the accessory of Manhattan’s fictional elite — and countless IRL fantasies.
By August, fashion search engine ShopStyle had reported a 67% increase in year-over-year searches for men’s earrings.
Though musicians Machine Gun Kelly and Bad Bunny, as well as former Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker, have long sported nose rings, there is a renewed interest in facial piercings. According to ShopStyle, searches for nose rings have increased by 40%, compared to 2020. With the press surrounding all three, be it because of high-profile relationships (MGK’s with Megan Fox and Barker’s with Kourtney Kardashian) or sold-out brand partnerships and tours (Bad Bunny with his Crocs and Cheetos collabs), their jewelry quickly pushed them up a notch on our hot list.
According to Lisa Brateman, a psychotherapist in New York City, our lust for men with piercings has to do with the fact that we spent so much of the last year-plus indoors and divorced from standard dating practices. Piercings on tongues, nipples, or belly buttons “draw people to some part of the body that is affiliated with sexuality,” she tells Refinery29. She explains that the longer we were in quarantine, often unable to play out our sexual desires IRL, the hotter our yen for celebrity body jewelry became.
Dawnn Karen, fashion psychologist and the author of Dress Your Best Life: How to Use Fashion Psychology to Take Your Look — and Your Life — to the Next Level, agrees with Brateman. According to Karen, fantasizing about jewelry worn by a celebrity crush was a safe way to engage with our passions during the pandemic, which she notes is very much still a present threat. “It’s a pretty safe bet since you don’t have to worry about whether or not the person you’re attracted to has COVID [if you aren’t with them in-person],” she tells Refinery29. According to the expert, piercing yearnings are a form of escapism, because you’re using your imagination to live out your desires. And since the end of lockdown didn’t bring about the end of the pandemic, an escape from reality is just as welcome today as it was 12 months ago.
Still, with quarantine behind us, we can’t help but wonder about the fate of our crushes — and the tiny holes in their skin. Are piercings on leading men only hot because we were cooped up without IRL affection for so long? Perhaps that’s how they started, but the seasons ahead promise more sightings to come.
We’re two months away from part 2 of theGossip Girlreboot, marking the return of Mock’s dangly ear accessory, which, in our eyes, is as covetable as any designer bag or boot worn by his costars. Given that the skateboarder-actor just entered a partnership with jewelry brand Pandora, who knows? Maybe we’ll spot Aki with even more shiny accessories come November. For now, it’s certainly something to dream about.
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If you, like me, spend an abundance of time watching TikTok ‘fit checks, then you’ve probably already caught onto the fact that all of them involve vintage cowboy boots.
Thus far, the hashtag #cowboyboots has over 125 million views on the Gen-Z-favorite platform, with videos of people not only showcasing how to style Western footwear, but also providing guides for painting them, cleaning them, and buying them on secondhand platforms and thrift shops. The New York-based street style account Watching New York shot a video of Manhattan and Brooklyn’s finest dressers, all of whom were wearing cowboy boots. Meanwhile, user Emirhan Dalci made a similar TikTok video highlighting the boot’s prevalence on the streets of Milan, Italy. In other words, the Americana staple has gone international.
And the most popular options are coming from secondhand markets. According to thredUP, an online thrift store, searches for “cowboy” increased by 60% in the last four weeks, compared to 2020 data. This particular spike followed the release of Beyoncé’s promotional video for her recently released Ivy Park x Adidas Rodeo collection, in which the singer-designer modeled the Western-inspired line that included denim chaps and cow-print cowboy hats.
But, with growing interest, combined with the vast array of options on the secondhand market, finding the perfect pair of vintage cowboy boots could prove to be more labor-intensive than expected. To speed up the process, we scoured the internet for 15 pairs for you to two-step your way to TikTok fame in. Find them all, ahead.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Dan Post Dan Post Red Leather Gypsy Cowboy Boots Size (M) 6.5, $, available at eBay
TONY LAMA Suede Embroidered Accent Western Boots Size 8, $, available at TheRealReal
J.B. Dillon Cowboy Boots Size 5 1/2, $, available at ThredUP
TONY LAMA 80’s Teal and Black Cowboy Boots, $, available at Thrilling
Justin Boots Red and Beige Cowboy Boots Size 8, $, available at Depop
HeadlessVintage Vintage Boulet Cowboy Boots Women's 10, $, available at Etsy
Ganni Leather Cowboy Boots 38, $, available at Vestiaire
TONY LAMA Leather Cowboy Boots Size 7 1/2, $, available at ThredUP
Justin Boots Ballet Pink Cowboy Boots Ladies US Size 7, $, available at Etsy
Tony Leather Leather Bangkok Authentic Snake Skin Leather Boots 42, $, available at Grailed
Unsigned Cloth Cowboy Boots Size 8, $, available at Vestiaire
TONY LAMA Vintage Women's Snip Toe Cowboy Brown Boots Size 6 B, $, available at eBay
Justin for Billy Martins Vintage Cowboy Boots Justin for Billy Martins Black Leather and Lizard Western Boots, Women's Size 5 1/2 B US, $, available at Etsy
Neolite Red & Black Cowboy Boots Women's 8.5, $, available at Depop
Unsigned Leather Cowboy Boots 37, $, available at Vestiaire
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It’s wild to think that a decade ago, sartorial “dos” and “don’ts” were widely broadcasted as accepted axioms: you couldn’t style navy with black, you couldn’t mix gold and silver jewelry, you couldn’t wear white after Labor Day. And when it came to what was labeled as the “plus-size” community, those arbitrary rules were even more ridiculous: you couldn’t wear bright colors, you couldn’t wear horizontal stripes, you couldn’t wear anything remotely revealing — the subtext being, you shouldn’t draw attention to yourself, you shouldn’t take up space. Coupled with the lack of access to clothing in larger sizes, it sent the message that you need to be smaller in order to participate in fashion, that you need to look a certain way to have a sense of style.
It’s even wilder, still, to think that these exclusionary barriers continue to exist in the industry, with some retailers refusing to embrace size diversity or offer all styles in larger sizes in stores. When it comes to size inclusivity, there’s still a long way to go — but thankfully, more and more people are fighting against outdated norms and unapologetically reclaiming their personal style. In partnership with QVC, the retailer that has been empowering women by championing size inclusivity through on-trend offerings for the last 30 years, we tapped two Refinery29 editors — Nneka Ugochukwu and Chichi Offor — to share the items they thought they “couldn’t” wear, what it took for them to unlearn that thinking, and how they’re discovering their fashion preferences on their own terms. Read their stories below.
My body journey started… “During that awkward puberty phase in middle school. Everyone goes through it, but I was overall a lot bigger than everyone else; I was full-sized even though I was a child. Wearing uniforms made me hyper-aware of my body, because I didn’t have a choice in how I dressed, so I gravitated toward baggier silhouettes to hide parts of me.”
How I felt excluded from fashion: “In high school, I couldn’t shop where everyone else shopped. It served no purpose to go to the mall with my friends knowing that I couldn’t actually find something. Not only did retailers not offer extended sizes but whatever they did offer was ugly — clothing that wasn’t made for a young teenager but for an old lady, like muumuus, boot-cut jeans, and not-cute tops. It wasn’t until online retailers began to extend their size range that I found things that fit me, but even then not all items had extended sizing.”
I felt like I couldn’t wear: “Crop tops, bathing suits (I didn’t wear a bathing suit until college; as a child, I wore T-shirts and shorts to the beach), anything that showed my arms, and bright colors. For a long time, Black women’s role in society was to be seen and not heard, to not draw attention to ourselves, so being a plus-size dark-skinned Black woman, I ‘couldn’t’ wear bold, bright colors. Over time, that narrative began to change, with Black celebrities and content creators wearing whatever they wanted.”
It was perpetuated by… “Magazines, television, the internet — MySpace, Tumblr, Vine, YouTube — that had content like what plus-size people should wear versus what they shouldn’t.”
How I’m unlearning that kind of thinking: “It wasn’t until I got to college that I decided I just did not care anymore, that I was going to wear what I wanted. I would order things online to figure out what worked for me, and it gave me control over what I wore. There’s a sense of freedom being in college and getting to decide: This is who I want to be; this is what I want to wear.
“As a plus-size woman, I’m more prone to body dysmorphia so seeing things that aren’t technically there, which shapes the way you view yourself in the world. So, for a long time, I ordered clothing that was too big for me, or I was conditioned to believe that a dress would look better on a size 6 model versus a size 16 model. It’s a hard process to unlearn, and it has taken a while — I don’t think anyone is ever going to be completely healed from the experience because it’s traumatic, operating in a world that wasn’t designed for you. Access was the problem for a very long time and now that I have access, it’s more about: What’s my style? What do I like to wear? As opposed to wearing what is provided to me.”
My personal style now: “I’m definitely a jeans and a T-shirt type of girl. I’ve always been a tomboy, but now, I’ve started to hit up the dress section; I’ve learned to appreciate my body in dresses now that there are more options in my size, like this one by J Jason Wu that is really flattering. I’m realizing I look good in dresses. Same with anything that accentuates my waist — I used to never wear something with a wraparound tie, but now it excites me. I also like crop tops, swimsuits, and looks that hug my body when I’m in the mood. I’m more open to trying things outside my comfort zone.”
My body journey started… “As early as second grade. I was in dance for a bit, and I remember the teachers making a big deal about me not fitting in the clothes they have. For most of my life, I’ve just lived in a bigger body. I’ve had a weird relationship with my body because of diet culture; I’ve been on some form of a diet for as long as I can remember, but I officially stopped that in 2019.”
How I felt excluded from fashion: “Everyone would wear certain mall brands, but they didn’t carry my size, so I couldn’t participate in that sense. It meant wearing different things from my peers. When you step into a store and there aren’t any clothing options, or none that look good in your size, and you can’t wear the same things as your friends, you become aware you are different. That awareness, especially when you’re younger, brings a level of insecurity because you want to fit in.”
I felt like I couldn’t wear… “Loud colors (bright blue, bright greens, yellows, oranges, reds) and cool patterns (checker or gingham). I also avoided anything that was form-fitting or sexy, like lace bodysuits. I avoided oversized garments because they aren’t the most ‘flattering.’ I also didn’t wear crop tops, and I definitely avoided wearing a bikini for most of my life (I wore my first bikini last summer).”
It was perpetuated by… “Society in general. I read a lot of teen magazines growing up, and there were articles like, ‘How To Dress For A Curvy Body,’ with rules like ‘don’t wear horizontal stripes because it will make you look wider’ or ‘wear darker colors because it’s more flattering.’ As a first-generation Black woman in a predominantly white area, I stuck out, but being bigger, too, there was just so much attention on me. I felt like I didn’t fit in, which meant overcompensating for being different by going on various diets, making sure people knew I ate healthy and organic, and dressing in overly femme styles.”
How I’m unlearning that kind of thinking: “The body-positivity movement on Instagram was a big help. In college, I followed plus models who wore cute outfits — short shorts, fun patterns, loud colors. Discovering this online community of plus- and mid-size people wearing what they wanted and reclaiming personal style for themselves, was really inspiring. It gave me permission to just be, and it made me realize I never needed to look a certain way to dress the way I want to.
“It’s still a process, though. After unlearning fatphobic body standards set by society, I have definitely felt more free to dress the way I want without the negative noise from family, media, and society. If you’re a Black woman and plus size, it’s radical to just exist and be okay with yourself. I do get nervous when I’m dressed a little louder, but then I get a compliment or I realize I look cool, and those moments make it worth it.”
My personal style now: “I’ve always been interested in personal style, because I can use clothes in a way to manipulate an image people might have about me. As I’ve gotten older, I no longer care what other people think about how I should live my life or how I should dress. As long as I feel great in something, then it doesn’t matter what people say. Now, I love wearing a lot of different colors (I’m realizing that most colors look good against my skin, like this cobalt blue top from Candace Cameron), mixing patterns, and wearing textures (velvet is really fun). I love a crop top. I went to Miami and bought form-fitting clothes, and it was fun to experience that for the first time.
“This is the closest I’ve been able to express myself through fashion (there are a lot more options now), being able to experiment with different aesthetics, whether that’s femme or masc, like this cool leather jumpsuit by All Worthy Hunter McGrady. Style is so very personal, and as more individuals take that power back from negative media and toxic advice, the more we, as a whole, can be free.”
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