S
Did some of you already enjoyed the new collection by +J - Jil Sander for Uniqlo - that has been out in-store and online last week? I dunno about this time coz I'm not there to experience it either at Oxford Street or Westfield London where the colletion is housed in-store. I heard the reception is better than last year. Yes, last year I'm not really sure how to put it: in short, it's quite a cold response. Though the event for the +J Spring/Summer 2010 is organized by Grazia magazine, there're not many people around. When I stepped in, I think the store is mine. you know what I mean? As I mentioned, quite a cold response, as cold as the winter chill in January 2010.
Anyhow, I'm quite pleased to see good range appear in the collection for SS11. Many light colors and much better fit than before. Though still lots of basics and some is even repetitive like the previous - but thats what you want from +J. Simple, clean silhouette, great cut - and the most important: a touch from a high-end designer without the high-end prices.
Anyway, when I browse thru some pieces I can't help but quite delighted with how it appears to be. Some whites seems to make its way which seems to be abscent in SS10. What is better is, how some pieces looks like they can be a great substitute to the high-end labels.
For instance is the white blazer, which will be in-store and online next March, looks like a good replacement for the YSL seersucker jacket. With just one fifth of the designer price... who wouldn't feel tempted? Or if you're going to an evening event, the tuxedo blazer by Jil Sander for Unilqo looks equally good as the Alexander McQueen one, without the hefty price tag of course.
So, did Jil Sander succeed in bringing her designer midas touch without the designer price for everyone to enjoy? I don't have to answer that coz the pix could tell it all.
Other pieces that is truly welcomed into the collection is the cropped trousers. Last summer in London I'm quite sceptical to try on the Uniqlo's own range which I think looks quite silly. I thought: cropped pants, who would wear that? But I'm wrong coz being a little 'mischeavous, adventurous' freak myself, it turned out that the cropped pants is something I truly like. Why and how?
Look. I didn't wear any shorts with a hemline that goes higher up above my knees. So, these cropped pants work wonders coz not only it can be worn as its own, I tend to roll it up and voila... I got an instant shorts, without exposing my knees. I thought it was brilliant coz it skims my legs even better than any shorts out there in the market since the fabric contains elastane. And that's why I'm rooting for this +J cropped pants too coz I think it'll be as good as, if not better, than what Uniqlo has done previously.
One more item that I never fail to buy for two consecutive seasons by Jil Sander's +J range is the shirts. White shirt to be precise. I dunno what it is, but I think +J white shirt is the best in town. The fabric is just right - it's not too sheer or peeking, the fit is awesome, and the price is very affordable. Two consecutive seasons (FW09/10 and SS10), I find there's a little tweaking here and there too. It's not the same even if it looks like it. For this new SS11, I saw a different take on their classic white shirt as well. What is it?
Try to look at the pix. Can you see the diagonal hems on both sides of the waist? How's that will change your look, you ask? It'll made you appear slimmer coz it'll make a slim silhoutte around your torso. I can't give much explanation coz you have to try it yourself. I have a couple of shirts with that diagonal-hem feature myself, and that's why I can tell you briefly what it does. Skim to slim. :)
Btw, I love the peak collar of these shirts. They're to die for!
As I said, +J is all about simplicity. Clean and chic, at the same time. The basics that +J offers is utterly seasonless actually coz you can wear it practically all year round. Except for the wool overcoat which is quite heavy (who would wear wool overcoat in summer!?), other pieces can be worn anytime. (Trust me, I have a lot of +J pieces from both seasons myself!). But another word of advice: select carefully coz not all pieces looks good - some can be too tacky (like the utility jacket two seasons ago, yikes!).
Anyway, these are some look in their ad campaign fronted by Clement Chabernaud.
P/S: Think I should head down to Fahrenheit 88 in KL to check 'em out...
S
