Fall has come and gone, winter is well underway, but soon? Soon it’ll be spring. So to get ahead of the warmer climates, Uniqlo x JW Anderson has returned to remind us all of brighter horizons, when you can finally put that SAD lamp away and start dressing like a cheeky, color-obsessed prepster once again.
Uniqlo and JW Anderson only join forces twice a year, but the powerhouse duo is known for collections that highlight both the former’s functionality and innovation, and the latter’s whimsy and playfulness. Their autumn/winter offering focused on proto-fisherman-core staples, but spring-summer is all about classic prep.
Prep is often considered timeless, but it takes just a glance at circa-2008 Chuck Bass to know that’s not always true. So Uniqlo and JW Anderson rejuvenated the Ivy League look for today’s collegiate-adjacent dresser—and, as it turns out, all it took were boxier silhouettes and a few strategic pops of primary colors.
Of course, Irish designer Jonathan Anderson has been championing a version of that red-brick aesthetic for years now, but rarely as affordably as he does here. Quiet striped tees complement inky selvedge jeans, rounding out a collection that could easily double as a highly dialed spring capsule wardrobe.
But the assortment spans more than just reworked prep hallmarks. In the mix are also plenty of sporty, gym-ready upgrades, a fusion of smart and casual that translates to the fabrics involved (see the emblem-button blazer made from Uniqlo’s quick-drying and quick-washing ‘AirSense’ material). A zip-up hoodie over a shirt and tie? You bet. It’s still January, after all—the usual rules don’t apply if breaking them looks this good.
So if you’re eager for a chance to jumpstart the new you before the month’s end, a few treats courtesy of the latest Uniqlo x JW Anderson collection is a great place to start. And luckily for you, I’ve trawled through the whole lot of it to ID my favorites. Get involved while you can.
This story originally appeared on British GQ.
