Chances are, your closet has at least one piece from Uniqlo. The Japanese retailer has masterfully blended high-quality materials, functional design, and affordable prices to become the global go-to for minimalist essentials, from their ultra-soft HEATTECH tee to their perfectly cut jeans.
For those who love Uniqlo's practical, versatile, and clean aesthetic, we've rounded up 17 other Japanese brands that deliver a similar blend of simplicity, quality, and style for your everyday wardrobe.
Often seen as the original minimalist lifestyle brand, Muji is famous for its "no-brand" philosophy, focusing on high-quality, functional, and simple designs in both clothing and home goods. Their apparel line is full of everyday essentials like organic cotton t-shirts, comfortable linen trousers, and seamless basics in a neutral, calming color palette.
Compared to Uniqlo's focus on tech fabrics, Muji leans more towards natural, tactile materials with a slightly more relaxed, organic fit. If you admire Uniqlo's simplicity but want an even more pared-back, eco-conscious option, Muji is your next stop. Their pieces are similarly priced and built for a timeless, cohesive wardrobe.
Shop now at muji.com
Meet Uniqlo's fun, trend-driven sibling brand. Also owned by Fast Retailing, GU (pronounced jee-you) takes the core principles of affordability and accessibility but infuses them with of-the-moment styles, colors, and silhouettes. Prices are often even cheaper than Uniqlo, with pieces typically ranging from $10 to $40.
While Uniqlo perfects the timeless basic, GU reinterprets a wide-leg cargo pant or an oversized graphic tee for a younger, more fashion-forward audience. It's the perfect place to experiment with a new trend without breaking the bank while still getting that Japanese quality control.
Shop now at gu-global.com
If Uniqlo is your go-to for everyday basics, Theory is where you turn when you need those basics to be impeccably tailored and a little more luxurious. Also a part of the Fast Retailing family, Theory specializes in elevated essentials with a clean, modern, and professional edge. Think perfect-fit trousers, sleek blazers, and minimalist cashmere sweaters.
The price point is significantly higher, often starting around $150, but it reflects the premium fabrics and precise cuts. Theory captures Uniqlo's minimalist spirit but applies it to sophisticated workwear and investment pieces for a sleek, urban wardrobe.
Shop now at theory.com
This one is a bit of a cheat, but it's essential for any Uniqlo fan. Designed by Artistic Director Christophe Lemaire and his Paris-based team, Uniqlo U is the brand's own designer collaboration line that reimagines everyday essentials with a more fashion-forward and architectural perspective.
With prices just slightly above the mainline ($30-$80), Uniqlo U offers more experimental silhouettes, unique color palettes, and elevated details on pieces like trench coats, knitwear, and wide-leg pants. It’s what you get when you mix Uniqlo's accessibility with a touch of high-fashion sensibility.
Shop now at uniqlo.com/us/en/collections/uniqlo-u
Lowry's Farm strikes a balance between Uniqlo's everyday practicality and a touch of feminine, refined style. A staple in Japanese malls, the brand offers timeless basics like knit tops and trousers but complements them with romantic blouses, flowy dresses, and trendy outerwear - all in muted, easy-to-style colors.
Pricing is moderate, usually in the $50-$150 range, offering quality that feels like a step up from basic fast fashion. It's for the person who loves Uniqlo's base layers but wants complete outfits that feel both comfortable and effortlessly chic.
Shop now at dot-st.com/lowrysfarm/
Niko and ... is a Japanese lifestyle brand that sells charming, relaxed apparel alongside unique home goods and accessories. Their vibe is casual, comfortable, and often a little bit playful, with influences from vintage American workwear. You'll find things like washed denim, cozy oversized sweaters, and quirky graphic tees.
Like Uniqlo, the focus is on practical everyday clothes, but Niko and ... has a more distinct, curated personality, think of it as a cool, independent cafe, while Uniqlo is the sleek, reliable global chain. With prices in the $30-$70 range, it’s a great stop for comfortable pieces with character.
Shop now at dot-st.com/nikoand/
While Uniqlo makes great affordable jeans, Japan Blue Jeans is for those ready to enter the world of premium Japanese denim. The brand is revered for its incredible craftsmanship, high-quality selvedge denim, and meticulously designed fits that are built to last a lifetime and only get better with age.
With jeans priced from $80-$200, it's an investment, but you're paying for superior materials and a heritage manufacturing process. If you wear jeans almost every day, this is where you go when you want to upgrade your primary Uniqlo pair to something truly exceptional.
Shop now at japanbluejeans.com
GLOBAL WORK is another hugely popular brand from the same parent company as Lowry's Farm and Niko and.... It fits squarely in the "Japanese Uniqlo" category, offering high-quality, simple, and comfortable basics for men, women, and children. The brand focuses on creating affordable closet staples you can wear every day, from office-appropriate chinos to weekend-ready hoodies.
With a clean aesthetic and prices right in line with Uniqlo, it’s one of the closest direct competitors within Japan. If you're a fan of Uniqlo's LifeWear philosophy, GLOBAL WORK's collection of practical and versatile essentials will feel incredibly familiar.
Shop now at dot-st.com/globalwork/
BEAMS is an iconic Japanese "select shop" and brand that's basically a cultural institution. While it offers a wide range of products, its in-house line of clothing provides wardrobe staples with a subtle, cool twist. You'll find everything from basic pocket tees and selvedge denim to American-inspired workwear and preppy staples.
Think of BEAMS as Uniqlo's much cooler, more style-conscious cousin. Its prices are a bit higher, but it’s a masterclass in curation, offering essentials that feel timeless yet infused with runway and streetwear trends. Shopping here is less about utility and more about building a stylish, long-lasting wardrobe.
Shop now at beams.co.jp
A major player in Japanese retail, United Arrows offers a vision of polished, sophisticated adult style. It’s known for pieces that are clean, modern, and impeccably made, from perfect crewneck sweatshirts to sharply tailored trousers and outerwear. It blends Japanese minimalism with classic, timeless Ivy League style.
While the main line is more premium, their "Green Label Relaxing" sub-brand is a fantastic Uniqlo alternative, offering high-quality essentials at a much more accessible price point. United Arrows is for shoppers who want to take Uniqlo's minimalism in a more elegant and grown-up direction.
Shop now at store.united-arrows.co.jp
Journal Standard captures a spirit of American classic and vintage style, remaking it with Japanese quality and attention to detail. Their collections are filled with laid-back, rugged, and timeless pieces like chambray shirts, durable denim, utility jackets, and casual sweatshirts.
It's for someone who appreciates Uniqlo's focus on quality basics but prefers an aesthetic that's a bit less clean and minimal, embracing instead the charm of heritage workwear. It’s perfect for building a casual, comfortable wardrobe that has a rugged but refined feel.
Shop now at baycrews.jp/brand/detail/js-relume
This brand is huge in Japan, offering affordable pieces with a soft, gentle, and often romantic feel - a style sometimes called "natural-kei." If you find Uniqlo's colors and cuts a bit too simple or sharp, Earth music&ecology is the remedy. It specializes in pieces made from soft fabrics with relaxed fits, and palettes centered around earthy tones, creams, and pastels.
You can find plenty of basics like cardigans and tees, but they’ll often have a subtle lace detail, a slightly puffier sleeve, or a more delicate texture. The price point is very accessible, making it an easy way to inject some femininity and softness into a minimalist wardrobe.
Shop now at stripe-club.com/earth1999/
Wego is the Japanese equivalent of shopping for on-trend fashion in real time. Centered around Tokyo's vibrant Harajuku youth culture, Wego offers extremely affordable and up-to-the-minute trendy clothing. In terms of price and speed, it's more similar to GU, Uniqlo's sister company.
While it’s known for statement pieces, Wego is also a treasure trove for finding super cheap basics like solid-colored sweatshirts, track pants, and tees that influencers are wearing today. It's an excellent choice for a younger shopper on a tight budget looking for a mix of basics and bold items.
Shop now at wego.jp
As the much more casual, affordable in-house brand of United Arrows, Coen is a direct competitor to Uniqlo. It channels an easy-going, West Coast American style focusing on timeless and comfortable basics like striped t-shirts, plaid shirts, rugged chinos, and their iconic bear-logo merchandise.
Prices are nearly identical to Uniqlo, and the quality is fantastic for the cost. If your style leans a little more preppy and sunny than Uniqlo's urban minimalism, Coen offers a joyful and reliable alternative for easy, everyday staples.
Shop now at coen.co.jp
Honeys is an incredible source for low-cost basics and trend pieces, primarily targeting teens and young women in Japan. The brand is divided into a few labels under one roof, offering everything from sensible basics fit for an office (C-O-L-Z-A) to cuter, more casual weekend wear (Cinema Club).
The prices are wildly affordable and the selection is massive. You could easily find a simple, Uniqlo-style cardigan and a trendy floral blouse in the same shopping trip. For budget-conscious shoppers needing variety, Honeys is a fantastic stop.
Shop now at honeys-onlineshop.com
No list of Uniqlo alternatives would be complete without fashion's best-kept suburban Japanese secret: Shimamura. This massive retailer specializes in incredibly affordable clothing for the entire family. Its focus isn't high fashion but practical, everyday wear that is durable and budget-friendly.
From loungewear and underwear to outerwear and office-appropriate separates, Shimamura is a true one-stop shop. It's less style-focused than Uniqlo, focusing purely on providing core wardrobe items at some of the lowest prices you'll find anywhere. Think of it as the ultimate source for function-first basics.
Shop now at shimamura.gr.jp
While technically a Chinese company, Miniso's entire brand is built on a foundation of clean, minimalist Japanese design principles. Best known for their cute and affordable lifestyle goods, their apparel line follows the same ethos. The offerings consist of simple, comfortable basics like t-shirts, hoodies, underwear, and slippers.
It's an ultimate budget option for people who love the practicality of Uniqlo. The prices are shockingly low - often under $20 - and the items deliver straightforward, no-fuss functionality. It’s perfect for stocking up on simple loungewear or comfy travel basics.
Shop now at miniso.com
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