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UniQlo Kuala Lumpur: Hit or Hype?

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Uniqlo: Orlando Bloom Charlize Theron Ryuhei Matsuda Meisa Koruki

I haven’t been to UniQlo here in KL although it opened just a couple of days ago. I’ll wait till the hype (and crowds) subside before going to take a looksee.

That said, I’m no stranger to Japan Fashion Store UniQlo, having visited their stores overseas and in their homeland of Japan so perhaps that might explain why I’m ready to wait my turn getting into the store here, where I read that there were queues to get in for days!

So, whats so great about UniQlo then that merits all this hype? If you are expecting cutting edge unique fashion, then you might be quite disappointed. UniQlo does collaborate with designers but it is mostly for T-shirts or selected casuals. And coming into Malaysia with a Fall/Winter collection might be a little misplaced, giving a bit of wrong impression of the brand. Its not just about winterwear!

UniQlo is, what I’d equate to The Gap, Giordano and Padini Authentics. It sells serviceable, affordable casuals so that’s what you should be going to UniQlo for, not unique one-off fashion. Let me share some personal favourites from Uniqlo with you 🙂

Some personal favourites from UniQlo are:-

  • Camisoles – found in the lingerie section, the camisoles by UniQlo are soft to the touch, pretty to look at and well made. They trump anything by Mango or Zara any day. They are also affordable. I usually purchase those that cost about ¥1000 each that have a touch of design and lace, to wear under jackets and cardigans to work. I’d be loathe to pay more than RM40 each here so I hope they didn’t mark it up too high.
  • Jeans – I own 2 pairs of the most comfortable skinny jeans this side of the universe thanks to UniQlo! They fit me to a T and yet allow me to breathe 😛 I got mine on sale for about RM69 in Japan last year. I’d watch out for their jeans even if sizing does tend to run a little small.
  • Fleece jackets – Not applicable for us here where its always hot, but if you are planning a holiday somewhere cool, take a look at the fleece jackets and cardigans. I got my mom a couple for her winter holiday in Europe last year and she loves it! Kept her lovely and warm and its light too!
  • Light jackets, hoodies and cardigans – I picked up some light jackets for myself too. They work well in cool areas e.g. the highlands or air-conditioned areas and are light and similarly well made. Mine were on sale (as usual) for about RM40 each.

what i like from uniqlo

  • Winter wear – If you don’t like wearing boring ugly thermal underwear, try UniQlo’s HeatTech innerwear. I got Dad a HeatTech tee for his winter holiday. It kept him warm when it was cold and cool when indoors when heating is on. I also love the puffer jackets. A friend bought one and really likes it!
  • Sale Racks – not quite products, but in every store I’ve been to overseas is a sale section where they put the out of season stuff on sale. Sometimes, the discounts aren’t great. But I always take a look because I never know what I might find – like a couple of tiered skirts I got from UniQlo Shanghai as you see in the picture for about RM35, which I’d never have bought full price 🙂

As I have said, getting excited about UniQlo is like getting excited about Giordano. The stuff sold are about the same in style – simple affordable casuals.

If that isn’t your thing, you’ll end up very disappointed and wondering what the hype is about UniQlo. However, if you don’t mind and if you are into simple affordable casuals, you will enjoy browsing UniQlo.

I took a look at some of the prices online and am happy that they aren’t too far off the mark. Guess whose casual wardrobe is getting an upgrade soon? 😛

So, have you been to the UniQlo in Kuala Lumpur yet? Were you one of those queuing outside the doors on opening day? Have you bought anything from UniQlo that you liked that you’d like to share or do you think its all overrated? 🙂

Paris B

UniQlo Kuala Lumpur is at Fahrenheit 88, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur

35 Insightful comments ... Read or JOIN THE DISCUSSION

35 comments ... Read or JOIN THE DISCUSSION

    • There is still a queue?! Must be the long weekend that’s causing it. I think I’ll pop by on a weekday morning! Haah let me see the queue then! 😉

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  3. I’m one of those people who doesn’t get the hype – I didn’t even know of the brand until I walked into the store at Somerset in Singapore earlier in the year. Didn’t really buy anything then, so not putting my hopes up for the KL store. For some reason I think of it as a Japanese Cotton On – maybe it’s something to do with all the cotton clothes 😛

    But thanks for the tips – will keep an open eye and an open mind, hopefully with the wallet still closed. I’ll only be going once the hype and the crowd dies down a little bit. Perhaps when everyone else is at work… Did you try the trail game on go-uniqlo.com for cash vouchers? I’ve got about seven RM20 vouchers so far and I don’t think I’ll be using them all within a month, haha.

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    • Yup UniQlo isn’t for everyone. I mean its exciting to have this brand here but when you step in and go “Wha??! Its just T-shirts and jeans! What’s so great about that?” I think Cotton On is even trendier to be honest but in terms of quality UniQlo trumps Cotton On and then some 😉 I didnt pay the game but if you have vouchers to spare I’m all over it! LOL 😉

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  4. I went there yesterday morning and there was already a queue at 11 am! But the queue moved really fast, so I think it was more to have some orderliness whilst entering into the store rather than too have people waiting for their turn.

    I love my Uniqlo light sweater (from HK on sale! HKD 70) and high waist tiered skirt (SGD 30 from Singapore) to bits because they’re soft, good quality and retain their shapes after countless washes! So I didn’t mind queueing and checking out what the Malaysian stores have. Plus, I also have some Uniqlo vouchers from playing their online game, so it was more to utilise the vouchers 😛

    Too bad right now it’s all winter wear (the printed fleece jackets are a steal! RM49.90 promo price) but they do have some very nice winter wear. I do like their accessories very much, bought a few patterned leggings (RM39.90-RM59.90) and will be heading back to get some belts (RM79.90) and gloves (RM59.90) (still have a few vouchers). I can’t wait for their spring/summer collection when the clothes are more weather-suitable! Price range is definitely affordable for the quality of their products, if you compare with Cotton On (RM 80 for a thin cotton dress?!?!), Forever 21, Topshop and the like.

    Reply

    • Woohoo! Thanks for the detailed report. I do like UniQlo for their casual stuff and like you I can’t wait for Spring/Summer to come in so we can actually wear what we’re buying here LOL! I feel a little silly for not getting those vouchers when I had the chance -_-

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  5. it’s creating a hype everywhere lol… honestly it’s a bit much. Their stuff is cheap and great quality, but then they aren’t all that stylish 🙂
    but there’s always room for a cheap everyday jeans 😛

    Reply

  6. I love the UniQlo in Somerset Singapore because although it sells simple, affordable casual wear, there’s a whole lot of choices compared to the shops you compared UniQlo with, e.g. Giordana and Padini (And Gap too). I hardly shop at Giordana and Padini due to their lack of choices personally, but found what I want at UniQlo 😀

    I’m also willing to wait for the hype to subside before visiting the UniQlo here, though, it’s way over-rated here and I know most people claim they “love” UniQlo… for the sole reason that it’s from Japan =_=

    From what I say when I passed by there on the opening day from KLCC, the UniQlo here seems a lot smaller than the one in Singapore! I just hope they still have a good selection, personally, though I don’t hope that they have a selection to rival the one in Singapore 😛

    Reply

    • Not having been to the one in KL I can’t compare it with the one in Singapore. That said, I only picked up a couple of camisoles in Singapore because I found the selection too small! Well, compared to the others I’ve been to anyway LOL! The choices in the other places are absolutely mind boggling. Either way, I’m just glad to have UniQlo here, big or small 🙂 It gives us a nice alternative and if they keep the prices reasonable, I think we’ll see more popping up 😀

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  7. Hmmm….to me, it’s just a hype. Sure, there are some great finds but nothing really extraordinary actually. Been to the one in S’pore and I suppose that took off some of the hype-ness in me..hahaha!

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  8. I’ve never been to the one in KL since the queue is rather crazy..But I’ve been to the one in Spore. Their shirt are nice and surely affordable but their design is rather simple and casual which I do not usually shop for because I do own a mountain of casual clothes. :p To spent hours on the queue is definitely a nay for me. So I would just wait till the hype has gone down. =)

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  9. This is so heavily advertised! lol!! 😀

    I’m a Gap kinda girl so i’m definitely intrigued. Good to hear that the prices arent too outrageous! Thanks for sharing!! 😀 Hope i get to check this out for myself soon!! 😀

    Reply

    • Haha… my poor men writers are all living in a flux at the moment due to work and real life issues. I’ll check out with them and update with their thoughts on the men stuff. I do know however that they enjoy stepping into the store as much as I do so… 😉

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  11. I was one of those crazy people who joined the queue on opening day XD . Started queuing at around 3pm, got in approximately an hour later, and didn’t leave until 8… partly also because it was so chaotic and the queue for the fitting rooms took another hour 😛

    Wasn’t honestly planning on going for the opening weekend until I saw the offer on the jeans. I wear jeans very often so mine go through considerable wear and tear, thus they need to be durable. RM49.90 for comfy and at the very least okay quality jeans is IMHO better than getting them from the morning market/pasar malam or online, lol. 😀

    Can’t comment about other UniQlo stores since KL is the first one I’ve been to, but with the selection spread over 3 floors and the sales prices, I felt quite overwhelmed. Didn’t get the chance to check out everything that I wanted to. Jeans in size 29 were rather rare by the time I got there and I initially thought 27 was the smallest, though later I saw quite a fair amount of size 28s.

    While the jeans are really comfy and the cutting is nice, I find that the length is too long (I’m 163 cm and there’s no way I can wear my size 29s without folding or tucking into boots – perhaps these were meant for fall/winter and thus for high boots?) and the jeans don’t fit as well on my hips and waist as some of my regular jeans brands do. Also found that the denim jeans have better cutting than the solid coloured ones (saw black, gray, beige, khaki, even pink!). Free alteration’s only offered for jeans priced above RM50, otherwise alterations cost RM10.

    Got a non printed black fleece jacket too, and I love it! It’s lined inside to look like gray fur lining and there’s the same material at the cuffs too, which I adore. Breaks the monotony of the black plus it’s so soft and fluffy. The BF picked out some warm cotton turtlenecks from the gent’s section which were very comfy and affordable for fall/winter wear at around RM24.50.

    There also seems to be a more upmarket line with gorgeous tailored coats and formal corporate wear, though I did not check the price range. That section almost seems like part of another brand and looks expensive, placed in the middle of the upper floor juxtaposed with the casuals.

    Reply

    • And this is why I love it here on MWS 😀 Thank you so much for the detailed rundown Adele. You know what? I am now itching to go take a look see! 3 floors? *swoon*

      Reply

  12. In the Singapore one, they do have very smart business shirts and jackets. Very well made which makes then value for money.

    I love their camisoles, t shirts and heat tech stuff. Very comfortable! It’s more exciting than giordano to me anyday!

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    • We don’t see it in our part of world a lot but Giordano in HK has business wear too and some are very nice. I don’t know why they don’t bring them in here and keep Giordano as a casual brand. That said, a big YAY for liking UniQlo’s camisoles. Aren’t they the best ever? 😀

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  15. Uniqlo is fab for basics, love their HeatTech thermals as they are super thin for layering and works wonders for Beijing’s harsh winter. Their jeans and pants are great too, especially if you’re like me who doesnt like blings or other misc stuffs on the back pockets.

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  16. Hi ~! which jeans that u bought?it must be the not for promotion right? cause the material i saw (RM49.90) straight cut was not really comfortable, fit nicely but its kinda tight.not sure will it get loose after a few wash? should we choose the right size or one size up?

    camisole? gonna check on it soon the next time i visit the shop.:)

    Reply

    • Mine was from Japan and I’m not sure if its available here. The cut is alright if you get one that fits but it tends to be quite long. I haven’t experienced loosening after wash

      Reply

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