Is Uniqlo Really THAT Good?

Goodness me it's been a while. I'm a sucker for marketing, you know, so when Uniqlo shows me all these fancy videos and other creators are looking fresh in Uniqlo...I bite that hook ten out of ten times. Today we are diving into Japan's largest clothing brand, Uniqlo. Is Uniqlo good quality? What are the best pieces and basics from the brand? Do I recommend them?! Find out...TODAY! Everything is listed below:

*I was not paid by either Uniqlo or Standard & Strange.*

Standard and Strange Pieces:

Black Sign Chinos:

Uniqlo Pieces:

Uniqlo T-Shirt:

Uniqlo Barbour Spey Homage:

Uniqlo Jeans:

Uniqlo Giant Chinos:

Uniqlo Merino Sweater:

Uniqlo Jersey Workshirt:

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The Iron Snail is a men’s fashion vlog starring a young man named Michael and featuring a snail no bigger than a quarter. The two are set on taking over the world of fashion by creating a clothing line to end all clothing lines. Until then, we’re here to tell you EVERYTHING you need to know about the best clothing out there, from the highest quality raw denim jeans to the warmest jackets to the sturdiest boots…the Iron Snail has got you covered. (written by Taylor, though Michael is sometimes known to talk about himself in the third person… xoxo)

[TheIronSnail]

**I always try to predict what the hot topic will be in the comment section and I somehow totally missed that the Mister Freedom jeans look *odd*. They were stiff as a board and not fully shrunk so they look WONKY. My deepest apologies here -- I'll soak them again and get them fitting right to show you next video. IM SO SORRY MISTER FREEDOM!!! I PROMISE THEY LOOK GOOD.**

[DeepFriedDoom]

Here in Asia, Uniqlo represents the upper tier of what the typical working class person can afford. You either buy 10 supermarket shirts that fall apart after a year, or 3-4 Uniqlo shirts that fall apart after 10 years. Over the years, it's cemented itself as a reliable standby for clothing that's not particularly interesting, but is well-made and durable while being priced fairly for their target market. In other words, the people who shop at and wear Uniqlo typically cannot hope to afford the clothing brands featured on this channel. Nobody who shops at Uniqlo for $40 jeans is ever going to entertain the idea of buying $400 jeans.

[biteasy]

Low level Uniqlo employee here:
Quality wise, I would say its better than any similar price point/fast fashion brand (Even lululemon for the most part)
For durability, what I bought in asia havent broke down in the years that I wear them (I do grow out of a lot of pieces though)
Overall, its better value to buy Uniqlo in Asia compare to the north america since its usually 30% cheaper for most item.
Really good option for people like me that HATES logo on their shits (feels like a walking advertisement for the company lol)

[christophergreen]

I worked for Uniqlo back when the only US location was in Soho. Hated almost every moment of it but I still shop there religiously. And with time, maturity and a few visits to Japan, I've come to learn Uniqlo really was trying to import their Japanese work culture and customer service standards into the western market. They even had us shouting promotions at customers at the top of our lungs. Thought it was absolutely insane, but in Tokyo its common practice. The quality has dipped over the last 10 years but still higher quality than most fashion retailers within the same price range.

[Miked]

Uniqlo has always seemed like a good one to me and I'm glad to see that people are starting to take it more into account, but don't you know of other brands that sell equally good accessories? like bags or wallets

[jgb]

I found myself a bit confused by the metric. Are you comparing Uniqlo’s products to the most expensive artisanal brands or are you using those expensive brands to establish a quality baseline? Either way, you do not explain the “why.” While I enjoyed the video, I kept asking, ‘what are Uniqlo’s competitors, and how do they compare, ’ and ‘does Uniqlo offer more in the give-and-take at that price point?’ Enjoyed the video, though. Always entertaining.

[Entertainment-]

Do I want to drive a Bentley? Sure, but I’m also happily content with a Toyota.

[sparkeyjones]

I've spent quite a lot of time in Japan over the past 30 years. Back in the early 2000's after I discovered Uniqlo, I'd fly from my home in the US with just the clothing I was wearing, and then purchase everything I needed for a several month stay. What I noticed over the years is that there was definitely a decline in quality. The clothing I bought back then in Japan was most certainly of higher quality than what they currently sell in their US stores. The selvedge denim jeans for instance, was heavier, and much longer lasting back then.

[readk]

Have to be very privileged to spend thousands on an outfit. Uniqlo is in a class of it's own for value and quality.

[TheIronSnail]

hello everyone! thanks for watching! im gonna try a slightly different (slower) style next video....LETS SEE HOW IT GOES!! HAPPY MONDAY and thanks for watching!

[densitydad]

I knew this video was coming and I'm so happy that it's here! Also former Uniqlo employee, (opened Brooklyn's Atlantic Terminal) training was like nothing I've ever and probably will never experience again. I still fold my clothes how I was shown.

[jannarkiewicz]

I'm 58 I love Uniqlo. My kids in their 20s love Uniqlo. My 6 year old love Uniqlo. Best deal -- Jollibee teeshirt.

[avo]

In my opinion the increase in quality from $40 to $400 isn’t worth it especially when the most important thing that most brands tend to get wrong is how things fit and their construction.

[joaoie]

I went into this video because for the past couple of weeks, I've been thinking to myself that maybe Uniqlo quality isn't as good as I thought it was, I have shirts with holes, frayed collars, pants splitting...

Then over the course of the video I realized that without even thinking about it, my Uniqlos lasted roughly a decade with terrible care, regular wear, and minimal fading.

They were among the cheapest shirts and pants available at the time. It still is incredible value, and the fact it took 8 to 10 years to get to the point that I would no longer wear them is testament to the quality and value. I've spent more on clothes that would wear out in less than half the time.

[atthelord]

Hey! Wanted to chime in and give you some insight into their manufacturing process and how their standards have changed over the past 20 years. This is from someone coming from the manufacturing end of things.
1. 20 odd years ago they were far more stringent about the manufacturing process often outright walking out of deals if their standards weren’t met. Currently this is only the case for production going to developed countries including their home turf. What this entails is that their standards are different for what’s sold in India and different for what is sold in the UK or US. You can feel this on the manufacturing and a buying end. Same line of clothes for differently, feel different, different in quality and durability. VASTLY.
2. “Forced” labour isn’t something I’ve personally come across with Uniqlo as such but know for sure it exists in a number of regions. Main problem is that workers are currently available dime a dozen in developing nations and willing to work at lower wages. In places where there are no labour unions or proper worker rights, this is pushing work force to compete for jobs at a lower pay and knowing they can be replaced immediately, makes conditions a harsher. Doomed if you do doomed if you don’t scenario. Working conditions in those factories whilst borderline ok, the pay is certainly not ok!
3. Cotton quality has varied over the years, currently what is being used for basics is determined by which market the product is being made for. Cheaper markets ? Cheaper materials. So yes you are correct when you say they are limited by their supply of quality cotton.
4. Wools are a hit and miss like you’ve said. I only know of second hand info- but in essence, in a shock to no one at all, their more expensive lines are actually well made, and the cheaper ones, whilst durable are certainly made with more chemicals, cheaper materials, quicker weaves and stitches and a tad higher redundancy rate.
5. Jeans are great. A lot of their material for this is sourced from India. Depending on what you’re willing to pay, there is some fabulous denim available.

[markryan]

Uniqlo entered Indonesia about a decade ago. At the beginning, I hesitated to go there because I thought that it was just another unaffordable brand, because the shops was so classy and the stuff really looks expensive. But when I was finally went there with my wife, I found a nice t-shirt that I really like. It's a black AIRism t-shirt. I dared to see the price and I thought, "Wow, that's not THAT expensive." So I bought it, and I looooveee it! It's soft, looks good, and so durable. Before I know it, now I have many of Uniqlo's products: t-shirts, UV jackets, sweaters. I love them all. And in Indonesia, if you're wearing Uniqlo, people will easily identify you as classy. Oh, I still have the first t-shirt I bought, and it's still rocks! The color is still solid, the fabrics is still stretchy, no loose threads, and the style never gets old.

[saisamsuri]

Uniqlo WAS that good. When you've been shopping there for the past 15 years (before it was available outside Asia), you'll really notice the decline in quality, especially if you still have the stuff from back then for comparison.

[ponyboytoronto]

I love Uniqlo. I've stopped shopping at Gap, Hilfiger, Banana Republic, A&F, Hollister, etc. since Uniqlo arrived in Canada.

[AetherEdit]

I bought the uniqlo spade jacket and waxed it myself like everyone used to do before plastic jackets proliferated. Its a great quality jacket for the money. Looks great waxed. Best money spent in a long time.

[CHUCK-syxr]

honestly i like the slower paced videos