Uniqlo Down Jacket

Thursday 15 August 2013



I’ve taken it easy on the blogging front this last week - hope you don’t mind too much. Some times it’s like that - there’s not a lot to say and besides the brain has gone dead after endless hours sat in the playground watching the boys hanging upside down and off things they're not meant to.

But I’ve not been totally idle. I’ve been getting ready for winter. I started in June just as the weather was hotting up. Starting in June seemed like a good idea to me - no snoozing, no losing. And what did I start with? I started with a Uniqlo light down jacket. I missed the Uniqlo/Comptoirs des Cotonniers collaboration last year. Okay, I didn’t miss it, I wasn’t that fussed at the time because I don’t do really short jackets and I don’t like to look like I take my fashion cues from the Michelin man. What changed my mind? I saw my niece at Christmas and she had one of the Comptoir down jackets which she was wearing as an alternative to a fleece/cardigan. And she looked really good in it ... and warm. And I'm a right little copy cat if the truth be known. And I love being warm but not hot. And so I started hunting down the CDC ones on Ebay. None. Then I went on line on Uniqlo to see what they had - they had down jackets galore if you were in the market for a wishy washy namby pamby pastel affair which I was not, so when June hit and I saw down jackets arriving in autumn shades - bam. Button pressed. 

I got this one. In plain black. 



But the wine coloured one looks good too.



Can I tell you now - it’s really hard to get excited when your new down jacket arrives and it’s 28 degrees in the shade? But I’ve got it so that's a tick on the A/W list. First A/W 2013 score in June - beat that. I’m going to use this under “thin” coats for extra insulation. I'm going to wear it under thick coats for extra insulation. I'm going to wear it at home as a cardi. I'm going to wear it as it is, a neat little jacket for the school run. Fact is, I'm going to wear it ... lots. That's the plan anyway. It also folds into a teeny bag too so you could keep one in your bag just incase it gets a bit nippy or is that going a bit far and does that mean I am officially turning in to my mother?).

Wonder if they do sock versions for boots? Get’s mighty chilly standing in the school playgrounds in January.


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Last note :

  • I ordered an extra small (I am a size 10) and this was fine as I intend to wear this really underneath coats and I didn't want extra bulk. It fastens fine but is a little snug around the chest.
  • I'd model it but it's too hot. Looking at it makes me feel hot.
  • It's good to be prepared. Start in June.
  • Anybody got one?




44 comments

  1. I love it - so tempted but I have a Patagonia half zip fleece that does the same job only more outdoorsy and a little less chic than this one. I think you need the wine one too - it would look gorgeous on you.

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  2. ...I meant half zip quilted jacket - not fleece! duh!

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  3. Darn it they don't do the compact one here anyway - only one with a collar which is far less chic than this...

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    1. You make me laugh Joanna. I can imagine you flicking between screens looking at the Uniqlo site and coming back to comment again. Is the Patagonia the one you wore in February? If so, that's definitely toasty and a proper down jacket. This one is incredibly lightweight and folds up so small. If I'd had that in February, I'd have worn that under my coat on my trip to meet all of you - I was sooo cold on the train.

      And no ... I'm not getting the wine one as well. That would be doing a Joanna - I'll take one in every colour!

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    2. LOL yes it would be doing a Joanna:) No I have a Patagonia nano half zip which is a really light weight half zip - the one back in Feb was a lot more heavy weight for that freakin cold weather!:)

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  4. What a good idea to wear it under light coats! I don't have one, but I am going to Uniqlo to buy one of their silk shirts (I need XS - it's very big sizing sometimes, there, isn't it?!), so will have a look.

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    1. Honestly, they are incredibly incredibly light and they feel like you're wearing nothing. The only thing I have to get used to is the slight "rustle" they make - I think I can live with it. Not noticeable under a coat.

      Can you do me a favour when you check out the silk shirts - can you see what the white spotty one is like. I've had my eye on that and what sizing you think would be good for a size ten?

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    2. Like you, I'm behind on my blogging. I tried on the Uniqlo silk shirts and I need a XS (am a 10, too). That's the best fit for my shoulders. But, even then, they are a generous cut, so I will need to tuck it in a bit somewhere. Still, they are £40 and are thicker silk than the Zara ones, so even in the light purple (love) I could just wear a bra without needing a vest/cami, too.

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  5. Great buy - would love to see it on you...please model! Hard to get the proportions from the online pick. C'mon..you can sweat for your blog readers ;)

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    1. I took a couple of pictures this afternoon but boy it was hard work and I was huffing so much that I gave up in the end. But I'll try again. Besides, I think you'll probably end up seeing it a lot in the coming months :o)

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  6. I am in need of a new down coat this winter, must be black and hooded my John Lewis one has finally died after 4 years. Thanks for the heads up on the next casual slip on's below, I'm off to check them out x

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    1. I think my Primark one has reached the end (it's looking rather deflated) but I think I might be able to extend it's life with the Uniqlo jacket under it. Sometimes, it's just too difficult to look for a new one. I liked my Primark one - it was a good fit and the sleeves weren't too long and I didn't look too Michelin in it.

      The Next slip on's are fun. Too hot for some of the days we are having but come September mornings - they will be on my feet a lot.

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  7. i LOVE down jackets, I even wear my camel on in the house (my husband thinks Im totally bonkers). They are a winner!

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    1. I've never had one - I hope it's going to live up to the hype and I have no problems with wearing coats indoor - I used to do it when I worked under the most arctic air conditioning ever.

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  8. Can't wait to see a pic of this on you - I really like the look of these although have never been drawn to down jackets. I like the idea of wearing one underneath a coat though, what a good way to keep warm!

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    1. I really got it for wearing under coats as an extra layer. It's so thin that it won't feel to bulky underneath another coat. I like big coats but sometimes they are a big "airy". This should fill in the gap.

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  9. I'm all good on the winter jacket front, but there are a lot of nice oversized coats coming out and I think I might get grabby if I find a good one. I need my butt covered in winter, I can't stand a cold bum. No short jackets for me :)

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    1. You can never have enough coats in my book - there is always a new one to be had every year - hence the coat wardrobe is groaning under the strain. I don't like my bum on show either - ideally, everything to the knee or longer if possible. I wouldn't ever wear this on a really cold day on it's own - I need my bum coverage too. I've never understood really short down jackets in the cold weather just like I don't understand gilets - I need my arms to be warm too.

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    2. YES! THANK YOU! It's not just me then! I bought a very luxurious-looking faux fur one from H&M years ago when they first became super-trendy, and I think I've worn it twice. If it is cold enough for faux fur then I need sleeves, dammit!

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    3. No definitely not you. I've got one of those faux fur things too - I only started wearing it last year ... under my coats for extra warmth. Works really well and I get a lovely furry collar too. It only took me about 7 years to work that out.

      http://susiesoso.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/warm-in-black-and-blue-and-bit-of-grey.html

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  10. Ooh that is a great idea for under light coats. Plus it looks quite chic with its little round neckline no collar. Very nice and useful Sue. .. I like. Xx

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    1. My friend saw it and said it looked really neat because it had no collar and not bulky at all. And she said it again the day after so it must have made an impression. I'm sold. Perfect for travelling on planes too - you know how the air con gets on planes at times and this is probably nicer than an itchy blanket (I usually stuff a big pashmina/scarf in my bag too).

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  11. I've actually been wanting one of these little uniqlo puffers for a few years now. For exactly the reasons you stated. I love the idea that they can layer under light coats that aren't warm enough on their own. Or under warm coats on really brutal days. And the fact that they roll up so ridiculously tiny just clinches it for me. I was going to buy one in store a few years ago but honestly I didn't for the sole reason that I couldn't decide on the color! How's that for indecisive? Next time I find myself near a uniqlo I'm getting one for sure. (Not as brave as you to get one online.)

    http://www.nomadicd.com/

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    1. Well it did exactly what I wanted it to do this weekend when I went away to a friend's just outside the Lake District. It was great in the evening when the temperature dropped a little, it worked as a cardigan and I used it for under a waterproof as a light layer when I went out walking during the day and when I warmed up - I squished it up small in my rucksack. As for colours - I went for black because I couldn't decide on the other colours but if I was going to have to choose a colour - the wine coloured one is the favourite. I had to order online as I don't have one near me which is such a shame - I like Uniqlo basics.

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  12. Great jacket! Love the black.

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    1. Me too - the black is good (safe but good). And I love the Georgi Kay Lionheart work you did.

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  13. Love it Sue! I bought one of the CDC ones last year and wore it a lot. Very versatile due to it being reversible. I found that although it is very thin and might initially feel a bit nippy on a cold day as soon as you warm up the coat does too and really insulates and keeps you toasty warm. I was amazed to be honest as it really is a thin jacket. Enjoy!

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  14. P.s. never thought about wearing it as a cardi, thanks!

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    1. Hi Jo - you were one of the lucky ones getting one of the CDC ones then. I wasn't sure about them being short but I wish I'd got one now as they are reversible so you end up with about 4 colourways to work with (my niece wore hers as a plain black) when I saw her and she bought hers in a size XS so I followed suit. They do really warm up like you say or maybe trying them on in a heatwave has a lot to answer for :o)

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  15. I joined the puffa club last year as well! Mines a longer Nike one though, no wear near as cool as this, you did well! x

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    1. I think everything is a bit of a slow burn with me. I looked at the coats last year but with them being so light, I didn't think they could possibly keep me warm enough. I'll see how I go with my little jacket as the weather gets cooler and if I think they are up to it - a coat may be in the pipeline. My old Primark coat is reaching it's end. Had it nearly 5 years and for £13 - well, it's done it's job over and beyond.

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  16. Heatwave due back next week ladies! Put the fleeces and quilted coats on hold (one can only hope!) x

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    1. Okay - I can hold off a little longer. I'm just getting used to wearing shorts and skirts this year. It's been a bit of a revelation.

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  17. You are smart to start early. I just bought my children's winter coats and puffer vests because by the time it got cold enough all the shops were sold out!

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  18. how much temperature do you think this jacket can take?

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  19. Uniqlo Ultra Light Down Compact Jacket (black) ... idownjacket.blogspot.com

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  20. I love it - so tempted but I have a Patagonia half zip fleece that does the same job only more outdoorsy and a little less chic than this one. I think you need the wine one too - it would look gorgeous on you.
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