JW Anderson's latest Uniqlo collection is the high street secret to an expensive-looking autumn wardrobe
The Dior Creative Director delivers high end style without the price tag
The trick to putting together an expensive-looking outfit isn't necessarily buying expensive clothes. It's about choosing pieces that fit well and feel considered, which is where collaborations like Uniqlo x JW Anderson can help. It's an opportunity to experiment with a designer's aesthetic without having to fork out a fortune - in fact, everything in this collection is under £80.
JW Anderson's ever-popular collaboration with the Japanese brand makes it easy to bring a touch of high fashion to your autumn outfit ideas. The latest drop celebrates "theatre, academia and the spontaneity of artistic expression". It's full of preppy knits and practical autumnal jackets - and we want it all.
Known for his playful approach to fashion, JW Anderson excels at putting a contemporary twist on classic silhouettes. Not only does he have his own label, but he's currently Creative Director at Dior. Style credentials don't get much better than that! Somehow he's also made time for a collaboration with UGG, which launched on the 15th October - the same day the Uniqlo drop landed online. So you really can get the look from head to toe!
Shop Uniqlo x JW Anderson
I think this is my favourite piece of the whole collection. Preppy but sweet, this argyle vest will look impossibly chic layered over a simple white T-shirt or shirt.
I live in Uniqlo trousers, and in three autumnal colours, I can see these working hard in my wardrobe this season.
An ideal layering piece, this classic striped shirt has got a more cropped fit than many other shirts, which can be very flattering indeed. It's available in sizes XXS to XXL and is made from 100% cotton. Look closely, and you'll see the JWA embroidery on the front, too.
Fair Isle tends to fly off the shelves in the run-up to Christmas, so if you fall in love with this knit, don't hesitate to snap it up. There's also a black version, and they're both made with 100% wool, making the price tag even more impressive.
I've heard rave reviews of JW Anderson's Uniqlo jeans, and these are available in three different lengths, so you can find your perfect fit. One reviewer wrote: "For me, these are the perfect pair of jeans. Neither too fitted nor too baggy. Highly recommended!"
Up for grabs in olive green, black or wine, this padded jacket is perfect for the changing weather. It's got a ribbed hem at the back so it's fitted, and the ribbed cuffs help keep cold air out.
For just under £40, this is the kind of piece you'll find yourself wearing on repeat. It's machine washable, and the fit is slightly oversized.
You simply cannot have enough knitwear at this time of year, and this cardigan is likely to be a popular piece in this collection. It's available in four colours, including this rich red, and I find it really impressive that it's made from 100% wool.
When they cost under £70, you can afford to invest in a couple of autumn jackets. This neat little option is a great alternative to a camel coat, and the material looks very premium.
Kilt skirts are selling out everywhere at the moment, so this asymmetric option is likely to fly off the virtual shelves. Team yours with tights and chunky boots for a Traitors-inspired look.
I love the contrast created by the olive green dress and bright red knit on this model. A shirt dress is one of the most versatile items you can add to your wardrobe, and whilst you'll be wearing this with knee-high boots in the next few months, it will still work hard for you come summer.
We all know by now that Uniqlo bags are more like Mary Poppins bags, so I'm excited to try this fold-over design. It's made with textured cotton canvas fabric, lined with a check print fabric and has got the signature embroidered logo, too.
One of the biggest benefits of shopping a collection like this is how versatile the pieces are. We're not talking about a dress you might wear once or twice and forget in the back of your wardrobe - think well-designed basics that will earn their keep year after year.
