The Classic 2-Part Outfit We'll Be Wearing All Spring

When faced with the task of creating or adding to a capsule wardrobe, there’s one place we’d recommend everyone—be they friends, family, or indeed, readers—turn to; Uniqlo. Why? Ask any member of the Who What Wear UK team, and they’ll tell you its the brand they always find the best basics from. Nearly all of these pieces come under the Uniqlo collection of LifeWear; simple, high-quality, everyday clothing. With everything from merino knitwear to perfectly-cut T-shirts in an expansive colour palette, Uniqlo’s collection of style staples is inimitable.

This season, however, it’s as if the brand has set out to prove that it is so much more than a source for replacement jersey vest tops. You need only look at Uniqlo’s new-in section, and you’ll see that the spring collection boasts an array of impressive hero pieces, too. Fear not, the design team hasn’t deserted its covetable pared-back aesthetic, quite the contrary—it has taken it to the next level. From sleek tailoring that could easily pass for designer to dresses that bear a striking resemblance to Marianne’s Italian wardrobe in Normal People, Uniqlo’s springtime edit is a treasure trove of must-have pieces that look well beyond their price-tags, that you’ll love and wear for seasons to come.

Out of all the pieces on offer, there are two product categories Uniqlo gets particularly right—denim and shirts. It mightn’t be the first place you’d think of for jeans shopping, but when it comes to silhouette, Uniqlo has created styles that perfectly adhere to 2021’s denim trends. With looser cuts and expertly positioned seams, the jeans are some of the best we’ve come across (and trust us when we say we’ve seen our fair share this year). Throw in some failsafe cut-offs, and the brand has all your denim bases covered.

Another noteworthy reason to buy your denim from Uniqlo is that the brand has taken huge steps to make it more sustainable. Called BlueCycle, Uniqlo has harnessed cutting-edge tech to reduce the amount of water used in the jeans finishing process by up to 99%, making the entire endeavour significantly kinder on the planet. If this isn’t worth shouting about, we don’t know what is.

The styling potential of denim, be it jeans or shorts, is practically endless, but we think the most timeless thing you can style them with is a button-down shirt. Thankfully, Uniqlo has an extensive shirting collection that will help you assemble this classic two-part outfit.

As we head into spring, we find ourselves gravitating towards linen fabrications—and with more options to choose from than ever before, we’re not exaggerating when we say we’ve got an entire wish-list that revolves around Uniqlo’s linen shirting. In fact, let us show you what that wish-list looks like. Using denim and shirts as our base, scroll below to see the three foolproof outfits we’ve assembled from Uniqlo’s spring/summer 2021 collection. 

MINIMALIST 

Style Notes: Uniqlo is known for its clean cuts and simple silhouettes, which work seamlessly when worn together. Take a pair of high-waisted jeans, a linen shirt (we recommend sizing up for an effortlessly cool vibe), and wear it over a bra top for a look that ticks off so many 2021 trends in one.

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DOUBLE DENIM

Style Notes: Double denim is back for 2021 and this year's iteration is all about keeping things pared back. You'll want to opt for similar washes and keep the accessorising to a minimum.

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PASTEL PILE-UP

Style Notes: Pastel hues always make a comeback each spring/summer, and this year it's all about pretty shades of pink and purple. Channel the look with confidence by layering a pastel shirt over a T-shirt in another hue, then round off the look with a pair of classic denim cut-offs. A perfect look for weekends spent picnicking in the park.

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