With the leaves falling, pumpkin spice lattes back on the menu and our cosy-girl autumn playlists on repeat, it is officially knitwear szn AKA our favourite time of year.
Yeah sure, we like wearing cute summer dresses and ‘kinis when the sun is shining (which in the UK is low-key neverrr), but the chillier months are when the Cosmo fashion team personally feel more at home. We’re talking oversized wool coats, puffers and, of course, layering loads of snuggly knits.
But there’s just one slight problem, good knitwear can seriously set you back a few pennies, and tbh, our jumper collection was in need of a good ol’ overhaul this year. Which is where our faithful friends at Uniqlo came in very handy.
If you haven’t already heard of the mega brand that has taken over the high street (and our hearts) let us fill you in...
Uniqlo was originally founded in Yamaguchi, Japan in 1949 as a textiles manufacturer and is obvs still known for its quality materials and minimalist aesthetic. The label first arrived in the UK in 2001, and quickly became a British high street hero – beloved for its affordable prices and practical designs that could actually cope with our notorious weather.
Fast forward to 2024, and Uniqlo is only getting cooler. The brand has certainly got the style set's seal of approval with our fave influencers such as Brittany Bathgate repping Uniqlo’s signature silhouettes.
The fashion crowd has welcomed Uniqlo with open arms too, and the label has taken part in more amaze designer collaborations than we can even count – from the likes of Marimekko to J.W Anderson and, most recently, Clare Waight Keller’s sellout C collections. In fact, those babies were such a hit the iconic British designer is now Creative Director of Uniqlo.
But with so many amazing staples in sooo many different wearable shades (come through with the colour range Uniqlo), the big question is: where should you start?
Well, in our opinion the knitwear section is where is it AT. More specifically, Uniqlo’s extra fine merino products. Consider these babies the key to layering in this transitional season and beyond. As we all know too well, a chunky cable knit is all well and good until you have to commute to work or chase after a bus, then it just gets downright s-w-e-a-t-y.
Crafted from pure 19.5 micron merino wool, Uniqlo’s jumpers are BEYOND soft, cosy and available in a handful of colours and designs – from preppy cardigans to throw-on-and-go turtlenecks.
First in our basket is the Merino Ribbed Polo Cardigan that comes in an impressive six different shades – from an autumnal mustard yellow to wear-with-everything grey. We’ll personally be styling the navy button-down with wide leg white jeans and biker boots this season. Throw on a lil’ faux fur or shearling jacket for a touch of added glam on pub nights.
Uniqlo Merino Ribbed Polo Cardigan
Uniqlo Merino Ribbed Polo Cardigan
Uniqlo Merino Ribbed Polo Cardigan
If even Taylor Swift’s iconic hit can’t make you get on board with a cardigan, Uniqlo’s Merino Ribbed Turtleneck jumper might be a bit of you. Thanks to the slim-fit on this style, you can layer this piece under all your favourite jackets and it’ll even fit under a blazer at the office, too. Yep, Uniqlo is also the place to be for that corporate girly uniform.
Uniqlo Merino Ribbed Turtleneck Jumper
Uniqlo Merino Ribbed Turtleneck Jumper
Uniqlo Merino Ribbed Turtleneck Jumper
If the idea of a pure wool jumper is filling you with dread because you’re so over hand-washing knits (who has the time?!?), then fear not. You can throw Uniqlo’s styles straight into the machine without stressin’ about if it’ll shrink or fall apart. And there’s not a pill or bobble in sight, either.
Yep, that’s our new everyday essential, sorted. We’ll take five pls.
Rosie Davenport is a former Ecommerce Writer at Cosmopolitan UK and Red Online, covering fashion, beauty and travel reviews, as well as major sales events such as Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day. Rosie has reviewed everything from Reformation dresses to the latest massage guns and knows the new brands to bookmark as well as the latest trends to follow. Before this role, Rosie was a Fashion Ecommerce Writer on publications including ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar and Good Housekeeping for nearly two years, and gained a MA from Central Saint Martins in Fashion Journalism in 2021, focussing on the rise (and rise) of fashion podcasting. Rosie has also worked at The Times, been a sub editor at The Mail on Sunday’s weekly YOU magazine and produced in-depth retail reports for the trend forecasting agency WGSN. Her career highlight? Previewing Prada’s AW21 menswear show in the depths of lockdown and interviewing Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons from her bedroom. Outside of work, Rosie can be found rummaging through vintage shops or getting lost in one of London’s iconic department stores. You can follow Rosie on Instagram @rosie.davenport
