Uniqlo is a much loved source for guys’ basics, especially oxford cloth buttons downs, and similar styled shirts. The quality is very solid, and the value at Uniqlo prices are especially spectacular. Which is, of course, why so many guys love them. However, they seem to have issues with fit. They change the fit of their garments up just about every season, and even across the line within a season it’s hard to know how one shirt will fit differently from the next, or which shirts have a better fabric than their siblings. And that is where we, and this post, come in.
We recently placed an order for three different shirts, and below you can find our take on each of them. And use this as a guide when buying these shirts so you have a better idea about both the fit and quality of each before you pull the trigger yourself.
(Note: I am 6’1” and 165 lbs. and usually wear a 15.5” / 34 shirt in a slim or extra slim fit.)
Easy Care Dobby Slim Fit Shirt — $29: Will go on sale for even less than this. But we were underwhelmed. The fabric is thin and see-through, and scratchy / not super-comfortable. They say the shirt has added stretch, and it does, but it’s pretty minimal — especially compared to some other shirt offerings from Uniqlo. Fits particularly slim through the waist and midsection — if that is what you are looking for — more so than any of the other shirts we tested, despite be labeled as the same ol’ “Slim Fit.” Typical.
Men Easy Care Comfort Shirt — $29: Also will go on sale from time to time for less than this price. Super comfortable and a pleasure to wear. One of the best-feeling performance shirts we have tried. It also has an excellent look to it, appearing as simply a nicely and richly textured oxford cloth button down shirt. Really, though, it’s super stretchy, super comfortable, dries quickly, wicks moisture, and is anti-wrinkle. And it feels all in all like you’re wearing a sweatshirt, but you’ll look like you’re wearing business casual. What’s not to love? Well, the fit, actually. It’s not labeled as a Slim Fit, or anything, but it fits slimmer/tighter through the sleeves and armhole/armpit area than any of the other shirts, but it’s particularly trim through the sides or midsection. We tried a size up, and the arms were still quite slim (which we like, but we don’t like the pulling at the armpits), while the midsection was much to boxy and flow-y. So, we wish we liked the fit of this one more, so be cautious when purchasing. Tight in the arms, not so tight everywhere else. Odd, honestly.
Oxford Slim Fit Shirt — $29: Ah, the famed OCBD from Uniqlo. First, the good: The fabric is great. A bit stiff, but will likely break in nicely over time and become softer with each wear. It’s pretty smooth and not very scratchy at all. Plus, it’s neither too thick nor too thin. So, quality and construction here is good. Fit leaves quite a bit to be desired. It’s not very slim at all in either the chest, waist, sleeves, or wrist. While a Slim Fit in a size Small is usually quite slim on me, that was not at all the case here. It was pretty long too, which is unusual for me at over six feet tall. So, overall, pretty disappointed with this one. Not sure why they updated the fit here as it used to be a lot better, but, whatever they did, was a step backwards. This is not at all a true slim fit any longer.
So, in conclusion, as seems to be typical of every big-box retailer these days, fit is the biggest problem. It’s inconsistent. Some items, while sold as a standard fit, are tighter than other Slim Fit products, while even within the Slim Fit line, some items are slimmer than others by quite a margin. Quality, as ever, is very solid for the price, but I just wish they could get their act together when it comes to the fits. Fit, as they say, is king. You won’t be finding any crowns at Uniqlo this season.