I come from a place where Asians are crazy rich. 

Me, not so much. 

So unless this website blows up and I become rich from AdSense overnight, I’ll continue to shop at Uniqlo. And since the holiday season is just round the corner, what better way to keep you toasty and feeling like a teddy bear, than fleece. So here are my top 3 Uniqlo fleece items I’ll be wearing on my next winter holiday. 

Let’s get to it.

Pick 1: Stretch Fleece Half Zip Long Sleeve T-Shirt

Made from smooth microfleece with short naps that feels velvety against the skin, this top is ideal for warmer winter days when you’re not wearing thermals. The half zip, made by YKK, gives an outdoorsy vibe and despite a whopping 9% spandex, this piece is more fashion than performance gear. Still, I’m planning to wear this on my hikes and the one thing that the pros say is that regulating your body temperature is more important than staying warm all the time. In that aspect, the zipper comes in handy by giving you the option to allow your body heat to escape. But if half zips aren’t your thing, there’s a mock neck version too. 

In terms of fit, I went with an S and it fits well across the shoulders, chest and sleeves. The hem is long enough to tuck in which is always advisable to prevent windchill. Kinda wish that the collar opening would be smaller, though I like how it can be folded down for a more relaxed look. I’d say this shirt isn’t strictly for winter, and I think that it pairs well with a variety of fall outerwear like denim jackets, bomber jackets, wool overshirts and yes, even fleece jackets, which brings me to… 

Pick 2: Fleece Full-Zip Jacket (ROGER FEDERER BY JW ANDERSON)

It has a grey colour blocking scheme, black piping accents and contrasting white zippers. It’s definitely a sportier piece, so not as versatile as the solid coloured version but I don’t mind that since I’m only using it once or twice a year. The fleece is what I’d describe as having a medium thickness, decent loft and a spongy hand. There’s no spandex, but because fleece is a knitted fabric, it has some degree of stretch. If I recall correctly, Uniqlo had a windproof fleece jacket last season but this jacket isn’t windproof so you might want to wear an extra windproof layer. 

Also, pockets. I love pockets. Fun fact: The chest pocket here is also known as the Napoleon pocket cuz some French dude decided to rock it like this. Apart from that, the inside pockets provide extra storage and the hand pockets come in… well, handy. 

In terms of fit, I went with an XS and it fits well on my short and skinny frame, though if I wanted to layer it with chunkier knits I would’ve gone with an S. I like how the drop shoulder gives a slouchy feel and like the half zip tee, the collar can also be folded downwards. 

Pick 3: HEATTECH Warm Lined Pants

I actually got this pair from the women’s section last season but it’s so good I had to get the updated version from this season. There’s a similar one for guys, but I’m not feeling the cargo pockets. The pants have a 90% polyester and 10% spandex shell layer, so it’s super stretchy and resistant to stains. On the inside, it has a fleece lining. I’ve worn these in 4-degree weather over a base layer and they keep me warm enough. In terms of hardware, the pants feature an elastic drawstring waistband, as well as two front and one back zip pockets and a zipper fly. The zippers are all YKK, so you can expect a solid zipping experience. Another nice detail is the snap button. It’s a Sun Grip button, made in Japan by Kaji Tech, which, if you didn’t know, is a 101-year-old company that specialises in making snap buttons. They clearly know what they’re doing. I mean, just listen to that satisfying snap. 

In terms of fit, because they’re women’s pants, I went for a size M and they fit well across the waist. It has a mid to high rise and a slim tapered fit. I’m wearing the short inseam, but if you have an average or tall height, Uniqlo offers these in regular and long inseams as well. Overall, they look and feel like performance pants but I’d say they’re still proper enough for the city, which is perfect for me since I often switch between day hikes and exploring a city on foot.

Until next time, stay subtle.