First look: the AW26 Uniqlo pieces to get excited about for winter
With the new autumn/winter 2026 collections for Uniqlo U and Uniqlo : C arriving in March, it's never too early to start thinking about what to wear when it's cold out
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IN THE BUSINESS of style, it’s never too early to be thinking about what to wear next season. Yes, we are still in the middle of summer, which by now means we’ve all grown bored of reaching for the same pair of T-shirts and shorts to survive the heatwave. But if you count yourself a loud and proud winter-person or not, the styling opportunities when it comes to layering is always something to look forward to. Thankfully, two new autumn/winter collections from Uniqlo, which arrive in stores and online in March, will have you dreaming about 15-degree days.
Uniqlo : C’s Modernity in Motion by Claire Waight Keller
Since British designer Claire Waight Keller – formerly of Chloé and Givenchy – joined the Japanese giant in 2024 as creative director of its elevated sub-label, each collection of Uniqlo : C has been highly anticipated for what she envisions as the stylish urbanite’s wardrobe. For this season, Weight Keller focused on pieces that allowed for easy movement, combined with the technical function Uniqlo is known for.
Coming in two releases, the first expands C’s viral sweatshirt line with new crewneck styles, making it an ideal lightweight top layer for the weeks between summer and autumn. Made from the breezy plush fabric and cut for a relaxed fit, the rich colours of brown and green will get you in the mood to reach for darker tones.
A few weeks later is the second release, which showcases the full breadth of C’s AW26 collection. The focal point is Waight Keller’s incorporation of PUFFTECH, Uniqlo’s fan-favourite insulating fabric, in outwear pieces for a clean seamless finish. For menswear, the collection introduces Cashmere HEATTECH for men, a blend of the natural fibre with Uniqlo’s thin thermal layer – making this iteration its warmest and thinnest yet.
Uniqlo U masters the layers
Crowd-favourite for over a decade now, Uniqlo U co-creative directors Christophe Lemaire and Sarah-Linh Tran – who also helm Paris-based brand Lemaire – are back this season with the roadmap for perfect layering. The collection, titled ‘Future Layers’, is like a puzzle of staples like merino wool, crisp nylon, and PUFFTECH; all of which are interchangeable and customised to your preference for layer abundance, yet remain a total style package.
The PUFFTECH jacket this season is created seamless for a minimalist shape, then cropped and rounded at the hem to style with a pair of high-waisted trousers or jeans. Utilitarian touches come in the BLOCKTECH Utility Parka with its adjustable hood and reinforced brim for security (wind won’t blow it off). The water and wind resistant fabric tech is also featured on their oversized A-line coat as the one and done top layer to carry you through the cold months.
While Uniqlo U keeps things light and crisp for summer, come winter, the sub-label plays with a plethora of textures and fabrics. The brand’s Merino Blend is the highlight for this collection: used in high-neck cardigans and oversized utilitarian shirts that drapes off the body and easily slips under layers. And with their use of jewel tones for monochrome dressing or mix-and-match, U remains the master in layering, indeed.
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