On February 3, UNIQLO held its 2026 Spring/Summer exhibition at the Fast Retailing Group showroom in Roppongi, Tokyo.
This season, under the themes of “new colors” and “new silhouettes,” the brand will offer styling accented with new colors and contrasting upper and lower volumes. In addition, “UV-cut function” items will be expanded to further enhance both functionality and design.
First, regarding new colors, according to Masami Nakano, General Manager of the Women’s Department of the company’s Global Merchandiser Division, the “need for color is returning this year,” and in response to this trend, an extensive lineup of summer knits and shirts in gentle shades such as pastel pink, beige, and pale blue are available. In addition, while continuing “red” as a key color since last fall/winter, this season’s lineup features a wider variety of colors, including pastel colors in sporty wear.
For the new silhouettes, the key concept is “silhouette contrast” to give a sense of volume to the top and bottom, and the brand proposes styles that combine compact tops with voluminous bottoms, or vice versa. Continuing from last year, pants and skirts with volume will be developed, while culottes and shorts will be newly introduced.
Of these, UNIQLO is placing the greatest emphasis this season on items with UV-cut functions. Against the backdrop of the global heat wave and growing awareness of ultraviolet rays, UNIQLO’s 22-year history of “UV protection that can be worn” is once again being promoted to the world. The parkas are all UPF 50+ (more than 90% protection against UV rays), a high standard. The high shielding rate was achieved by developing the yarn and fabric from the raw material stage.
The centerpiece of the lineup is the women’s “Ultra Stretch AIRISM UV-Cut Full-Zipper Hoodie” (2,990 yen). This item is made of a new material that kneads UV-cut raw materials into the “AIRYTHYTHM” yarn itself, which is characterized by its smooth feel even when sweating. The compact (slim-fit) design makes it easy to match with volume pants, and the trendy “new silhouette” of this parka looks great.
The slim fit does not compromise on comfort, with a high level of stretch that extends in 360-degree directions. It also features a stand neck to protect the neck and cuffs with thumb holes that cover the back of the hands and fingers. The hood has a visor (brim), so it can be worn deeply and does not easily slip down, providing a sporty look while keeping out the sun.
The “Pocketable UV-Cut Parka,” a water-repellent lightweight parka that was also sold last year, has been updated with new features and is now available as the “Pocketable UV-Cut Parka/NNODESIGN” (3,990 yen). In addition to improved water repellency through the use of Toray-developed NANODESIGN, the hood has a front brim to cover the face and a storage bag to carry it on leisure activities.
In addition, the women’s “Air Rhythm UV-Cut Mesh Full-Zipper Hoodie” (2,990 yen), which is made of Air Rhythm material and has a contact cooling function, will also be marketed following last year.
UNIQLO’s UV-cut cardigans are also a regular favorite, and this season the UPF 25 UV-cut crew-neck cardigan (2,990 yen) comes in new colors and patterns (off-white and navy with a hint of color around the neck and on the front). The smooth-feeling cotton-rayon material is machine washable and easy to care for. This item can be easily worn on the train or in the office as a countermeasure against air conditioning.
And along with UV-cut parkas and UV-cut cardigans, UNIQLO has positioned sunglasses as one of its main products, which is surprising. UNIQLO has been offering sunglasses in the past, but their recognition has been low. In strengthening its UV-cut function items, UNIQLO asked UNIQLO:C designer Claire Waite Keller to supervise each pair of sunglasses for the first time. This year, UNIQLO has dramatically improved the design of its sunglasses, declaring this to be “the first year of UNIQLO sunglasses.
The lineup includes a total of 18 models (including two UNIQLO:C models at 2,490 yen each), including the popular standard round, oval, Boston, Wellington, and square styles, as well as trendy narrow and wide styles, and polarized lens types for outdoor and sports use. The models are made to fit the bone structure of both Europeans and Asians (the height and width of the clings are specified differently), so the Japanese stores in Japan have designs that Japanese people can use without any hesitation. In terms of features, all models are equipped with 99% UV protection, anti-darkness, and 25% reduction of blue light.
According to Mr. Nakano, in Europe, the eyes are the most important part of the body to be protected from ultraviolet rays, and more than 90% of people use sunglasses every day, while in Japan, the usage rate of sunglasses is less than 50%. UNIQLO aims to change this situation and establish sunglasses as “UNIQLO’s life wear” to protect the eyes.
The parasol, which was first introduced last season, has also been updated and is now available as the “UV Cut Compact Umbrella Heat Shielding / 55cm Parent Bone” (2,990 yen). With a heat blocking function that reduces heat from the sun, the umbrella has a UV cut rate of approximately 99% (UPF50+) and a light blocking rate of approximately 99.9%. In response to users’ “no-no’s,” the framework and fabric were changed to reduce the weight from 300g to 220g, the handle was improved to be slender and easy to hold, and the wind resistance was increased from 5m to 10m. A convenient carrying bag is also provided.
Other items of note are jeans made from carefully selected materials. UNIQLO’s basic straight jeans have been a strong favorite, but the voluminous “Baggy Curve Jeans” (women’s) are now a worldwide hit. In response to this, UNIQLO has added the new “JWA Baggy Jeans” (women’s) and “Baggy Jeans” (men’s), which are made of 100% cotton and have a firm fabric, to its lineup this season, for a total of three types. All three types of jeans are priced at 4,990 yen, and all three are made by a professional team in the US that handles everything from material development to designing the damage.
Baggy Curve Jeans are characterized by a “drape” not found in existing jeans, achieved by blending a golden ratio of cotton and 20% lyocell. While maintaining the shape and volume of the curves, these jeans can be worn smoothly like a sweatshirt. Gender-less styles, such as men wearing women’s jeans and women wearing men’s jeans, continue to be popular.
In terms of overall coordination, the trend toward casual yet neat “preppy style” and relaxed “resort style” dressing continues.
We want to enjoy spring and summer outings with functional items made of UNIQLO’s own materials, such as cool-wearing AIRISM, DRY EX, and UV-cut fabrics, while taking all the necessary countermeasures.
Some of the 2026 spring/summer products introduced here have already been released, and the full lineup will be available in stores from mid-March.
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