Clare Waight Keller spring/summer collaboration with Uniqlo is a compilation of effortless, modern wardrobe essentials that are perfect for layering and transitioning as the seasons shift from cool to warm and back again. The collection has just been previewed by Uniqlo and launches on February 22nd. For this post I’ve picked out what I consider to be the best of Uniqlo C for the stylish woman over 60.
I’m a big fan of Uniqlo designer collaborations and always check out the ‘Collaborations’ tab on their website to see what’s coming up in the next few weeks. In my experience the key items from every collection always sell out really fast. You have to do your research early and be ready to go immediately when the collection is launched on line or risk missing out. So, since the lookbook and individual pieces were previewed on the site last week, I’ve been sifting through and picking my ‘Best of Uniqlo C’ list which I’m going to share with you below. But first, let’s start by looking at what Uniqlo and Clare Waight Keller have to say about the collection:
About Uniqlo : C
“The Spring/Summer 2024 collection captures the fresh energy of the season in a leisurely, airy, and light wardrobe with strong colour, modern classics, and eclectic proportions, that transitions easily through everyday life; from the coolness of morning to the heat of a summer afternoon.“ Uniqlo
Clare’s inspiration for the collection
Clare says that the direction of the collection was inspired by the people who live in and around Lavender Hill in south London. In her own words:-
“I really wanted to observe how people live their lives during the spring and summer. It starts off very fresh in the season, so you’re often wanting a lightweight jacket or a lightweight outerwear piece that sort of takes you through the morning when it’s a bit cooler.
“As the day (and season) transition, it starts to get really warm. So you want those beautiful summer pieces that take you through the day, and you can layer up as it gets cooler in the evening.“
“The attitude of the collection is the mix between sophistication and casualness. [..] I’m “thinking about the way you use clothes in everyday life and how you layer everything together. I’ve thought very much about how you could incorporate an airy and light outerwear piece over a dress, and what that proportion and attitude looks like.“
The Colour Palette
The collection has a base colour palette of soft neutrals. These move through, ecrus, beiges, khakis, darker browns to a soft black, which Clare describes as having a charcoal-ness to it. Lifting the neutral tones is a classic pop colour palette of strong reds, greens, blues and pinks.
My 5 favourite looks
So, without further ado, here are my best of Uniqlo C; My 5 favourite looks from the Uniqlo : C lookbook. I’ve chosen the items that are on my own ‘would like to purchase’ list and which I think would add a modern yet classic sophistication to any over 60s wardrobe.
1. Utility Oversized Stand Collar Coat + Pleated Printed Skirt
The thing I love about this look is the contrast between the crisp military styling of the jacket and the floaty, romantic skirt. The outfit is styled here with sandals, but would look equally good with boots or loafers.
The funnel shaped neck of the jacket gives it a really sharp and stylish edge. The defined waist and flared skirt make it perfect for layering over wide leg trousers, a skirt or a dress. The cinched in waist balances the silhouette and adds definition and shape to flatter the figure. It would be perfect for travelling and comes in green, black, beige and olive.
The pleated printed skirt is another really versatile piece that could be dressed up or down; With a jacket for work, or with a cropped t shirt or vest for the beach. In the pattern shown above, it comes in two colours, black and white and blue There is also another version of this skirt with a tiny spot pattern that comes in green, red and black
2. Wide Straight Leg Trousers + Cotton Utility Jacket
The military inspired cotton utility jacket is made in a a crisp cotton twill fabric. It has a drawstring waist and a concealed front zip. The silhouette of the jacket is similar to that of the coat above, and therefore a lighter but equally great layering piece over full skirts and trousers. It comes in dark grey beige and olive.
The wide straight leg trousers are something I can imagine myself wearing a lot throughout the spring and summer. They are the same cotton twill fabric as the jacket and have added tucks at the inseams that create the lovely curved cut. The colours are the same as for the utility jacket, dark grey, beige and olive with the addition of off-white.
3. Wide Straight Leg Jeans + Sheer Volume Long Sleeved Blouse + V Neck Vest
I love the effortless yet sophisticated look of this simple outfit in white. All 3 of the pieces that create it are so versatile and so wearable.
The soft, lightweight denim for the wide straight leg jeans has been specially developed for this collection and is according to Clare Waight Keller, ‘super drapey’. Ideal for the warmer summer months. The jeans are mid-rise, and the side seams have been brought slightly forward to flatter the hips. Colours are off-white, navy, light denim blue and soft pink.
The sheer volume long sleeved blouse is made from a sheer crepe fabric. It has a gathered and voluminous cut and is worn over a matching camisole. It comes in olive, off-white, black and pink. I love the way the gathers fall over the cuffs creating a really feminine and floaty feel.
The V neck vest is one of those hardworking but under appreciated wardrobe items. This one is in a soft, chunky ribbed knit. It’s cropped and has a relaxed fit that makes it perfect to layer over a shirt or blouse, a tee shirt or a dress. It comes in beige, off-white and black, and has a thin accent stripe at the hem
4. Narrow Skirt + Jersey Cropped Short Sleeved T-Shirt
This is such a simple but effective two piece look that can take you anywhere: To the office, out for coffee or even accessorised up for a dinner date.
The narrow skirt is made in an elegant, easy care crepe fabric with an elasticated waistband, a straight cut and a centre back slit. It’s such a useful and versatile piece. It would also be great for a holiday capsule wardrobe. Colours are black, blue and green.
The t-shirt is made in the same crepe jersey fabric as the skirt, and with its cropped boxy shape, would look good over floaty skirts or voluminous trousers. It comes in the same 3 colours as the skirt.
5. Relaxed Fit Tailored Blazer Jacket + Pleated Wide Leg Trousers
I love the oversized relaxed fit of this jacket and trousers. You would get a lot of wear out of the individual pieces as well as putting them together to create a soft and casual suit. Another great capsule wardrobe look.
The relaxed fit jacket is a classic piece with a roomy cut. Made from a premium tropical wool blend fabric it’s designed for the warmer summer weather. It comes in grey black and beige.
The matching pleated wide leg trousers are wide cut with a two tuck design for a voluminous fit. They look great with the matching jacket and t-shirt, but would also look stylish with the sheer volume blouse, the stand collar jacket or the utility jacket. They come in the same neutral shades as the jacket, grey, black and beige.
The Key accessories
Additional items arriving in April…
There will be a second part of this collection available from early April. Uniqlo have previewed some of the items with the February release, but there are no details as yet. I’ve posted the pictures here so you can see what’s coming. The dresses are probably a bit too revealing for me, (I like my chest and shoulders covered) but might work with a t shirt? I love the shape and colour of the blue mermaid skirt though.
Conclusion
Well, that’s it. This is my list of the best of Uniqlo C. The thing that is great about this collection for me is how well all of the pieces would work together to create a whole lot of looks that are uniquely the wearers own. I hope you enjoyed seeing the collection and that it gave you some ideas about how the items might work with your own wardrobe and style.
As always, I’d love to read your comments so don’t hesitate to add them to the box below. If you liked this post you might also like to subscribe to my newsletter.
Thanks for reading.
Sian. x
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