Recently I stepped into Uniqlo,* an innovative Japanese clothing store for men and women, which opened in Soho in 2006. What I found was a massive place [36,000 square feet], consisting of 3 floors of stylish, comfortable and casual wear selling for a fraction of what you'd pay anywhere else. With extra fine merino wool skirts priced at $19.50, cashmere sweaters at $89.50 and women's corduroy pants for $39.50 you can't go wrong. It's definitely an upscale place to shop for basics. Dark denim skinny jeans are a reasonable $29.50, and stretch leggings are only $10.50. Uniqlo has every style and color of pants, scarfs, tops and shirts. They have cotton blouses, plain t-shirts, graphic t-shirts, crew-necks and v-necks, tanks, as well as, long or short sleeves. All are well made with durable, soft, mostly natural fabrics and listed at affordable prices. I saw a variety of colored tights for $5, smooth cotton hoodies for under $20 and fashionable parkas selling for $49.50. A preppy wool dress was $35, and a man's [100%] cotton oxfort shirt was priced under $40.
Uniqlo's New York flagship store is airy, colorful and organized. Its customer service is friendly and extremely accommodating. If the pants you select require hemming, they offer it as a free one hour service. And daily sales and special promotions are everywhere! Wednesdays are an especially thrilling day to shop. It's when the store is restocked with incoming "just arrived" merchandize, and new weekly promotions begin. If you need a smart casual essential, you won't leave empty handed. For telephone orders dial: 1-877-4-UNIQLO.
Undate: Two stores opened in Midtown: 666 5th Avenue at 53rd Street and 31 West 34th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues. And now you can order online.
*Unlike its many competitors, Uniqlo is turning a profit.
