This is a post I’ve been meaning to write ever since I returned from a trip to Japan in December 2022. Now it’s more than a year later. Better late than never! If you, like me, have ever wondered if Uniqlo fits differently in the U.S. compared to Japan, I now have an answer from first-hand experience: yes, at least for some items.
A note about Uniqlo: This blog is about striving to shop more ethically, but I occasionally write about Uniqlo. While it’s a fast fashion brand, it’s making improvements. Good on You gives Uniqlo a middle-of-the-road mark, noting that its labor rating has gone up from “Not Good Enough” to “It’s a Start.” However, it’s unclear if they provide a living wage to factory workers.
Personally, I’m working on consuming less in the first place and using items for as long as possible. But sometimes I do buy fast fashion (for reasons I go to in this post). And Uniqlo is one brand that works for me in terms of fit and price.
Uniqlo Sizing Differences in Different Countries
So, back to the fit info. Uniqlo says that their sizing differs from market to market. For example, what would be a size S in Japan would be sold as a size XS in Europe. But in my experience, there’s another difference.
The same Uniqlo jacket from America on the left and Japan on the right. The American one had a size tag on it at the collar while the Japanese one didn’t.
Last fall, the Mister bought a wool-blend tweed jacket from a Uniqlo here in New York. When we traveled to Japan, he saw the same jacket, tried it on for the heck of it, and discovered that it actually seemed to look better. So he bought it.
Even though they were marked as the same size, he swore the Japanese one fit better.
Let this be a lesson to us all: a sleeve at the right length makes all the difference!
When we got home, we compared both jackets. The measurements were very similar, if not the same. But there was one clear exception: the sleeves, which were a little shorter on the Japanese version. The U.S. jacket measured a quarter of an inch longer in the sleeve (measured from shoulder seam to end of sleeve) than the Japanese one.
Let this be a lesson to us all: a sleeve at the right length makes all the difference! Even a quarter of an inch difference was noticeable. The whole jacket seemed to fit him better even though it was really this one area, the sleeve, that had a clear difference when measured.
These Uniqlo jackets are the same size, but bought in different locations. To the left: the one from NYC. On the right: the one from Tokyo. The Japanese one has slightly shorter sleeves. Also wearing Everlane jeans.
We also discovered that the sleeves of button-up shirts were shorter at Uniqlo Japan. This was an exciting discovery as sleeves on shirts sold in America are often too long for him, even at Uniqlo USA. Needless to say, he bought several shirts too.
But Some Items Are Probably the Same
Now, I don’t know that this is true of every item. I bought a down coat (pictured in this post about what I packed for our three-week trip). The fit feels similar to coats I’ve tried on in Uniqlo USA. But since I didn’t do an exact item-to-item comparison, it’s hard to say whether the women’s clothing are different too. (I don’t know why I didn’t think to also try on some button-up shirts since sleeves being too long is also a problem for me.)
But the shirts and jacket the Mister brought home are proof of subtle differences among different countries. Uniqlo sizing differences exist! So even if you think you’ve seen it all at Uniqlo in the U.S., it’s still worth checking out Uniqlo in Japan in case something fits different, particularly if you’re considered petite or short-limbed in America.
By the way, some of the bigger Uniqlos in Japan have fun extras in them like flower shops, coffee stands, and local T-shirt designs. And in some locations you can even get suits ordered to your measurements (though it will take at least a week for them to make it). That was cool to see.
The Uniqlo in Ginza, Tokyo
Interesting, thanks for the comparison! Sounds like Japanese versions would work well for my husband, while the US ones for me (and my gangly arms lol).
It’s worth checking out for your husband if you’re ever out that way.