Anyone looking for stylish and affordable clothes can be forgiven for wanting to find some other brands like Uniqlo.
Don’t get me wrong:
The much-loved Japanese clothing brand has become one of my favorites for casual staples like sweaters, polos, tees and chinos at a pretty affordable price point.
But while its styles are always classic, they’re also a little… safe.
It’s a great place to turn if you want a stylish merino wool v-neck with a bit of stretch, but not the best if you prefer high-quality materials like cashmere sweaters, or super trendy pieces that are more of-the-moment.
Fortunately, Uniqlo is hardly the only game in town.
Below I’ve rounded up dozens of other stores like Uniqlo where you can find well-made, affordable fashion in a wide range of styles.
Top Picks ↓
You can check out our full list of Uniqlo alternatives below, but here’s a quick rundown of our favorites:
- Best for Minimalist Japanese Style: Muji
- Best for High-Quality Staple Pieces: Bonobos
- Best for Sustainable, Eco-Friendly Options: Frank and Oak
- Best for Cheap Fast Fashion: H&M
First Up:
Other Good Brands Like Uniqlo ↓
Muji
Muji is another Japanese brand that made its way over to North America after witnessing the success of Uniqlo.
Whereas Uniqlo often carries graphic tees, loud colors and fun patterns, Muji’s philosophy is centered around simplicity, functionality, and minimalist design.
Their clothes come in classic styles, with clean lines that are both simple and timeless, and while the price is pretty low, their stuff is high-quality and made from good materials.
But unlike Uniqlo, Muji sells more than clothes, with a product range that includes everything from clothes and household goods to furniture and food items.
Bonobos
In recent years Bonobos has become my favorite menswear brand for the kind of classic-meets-modern staple pieces that every guy should have in his wardrobe.
Like Uniqlo, they have a well-stocked website and a bunch of brick-and-mortar locations across the United States.
Their price range is definitely higher than Uniqlo’s, but the quality is solid for the price, making it a great place to turn for everything from suits and tuxedos to everyday basics like tees, shorts and sweaters.
As I told NY Magazine’s The Strategist a while back, I’m a particular fan of their Everyday Oxford button-down shirt, which has the perfect combination of classic style and stretchy comfort.
J.Crew
Whereas Uniqlo has become a much-loved Japanese brand, J. Crew was founded in New York and is probably the most all-American brand on this list.
Like Bonobos, they have a wide collection of style staples that includes everything from a basic tee to formal wear like tuxedos and suits.
And like Uniqlo, they tend to have fairly timeless designs that are always sharp and on-point.
But whereas Uniqlo specializes in affordable clothing, J.Crew’s stuff is both high quality and higher priced.
To be clear, it’s not as expensive as the super high-end clothing sold by expensive luxury brands like Helmut Lang or Gucci.
But it’s on the higher end of both the price and quality spectrum when compared to the type of well-known brands found in most North American malls.
J.Crew Factory
As J.Crew’s discount outlet brand, J.Crew Factory may be an even closer Uniqlo competitor than J.Crew itself.
They offer a lot of similar styles as the flagship store, but at more affordable prices, making it a great choice if you want a brand that combines J.Crew’s aesthetic with Uniqlo’s price range.
While they don’t carry quite as wide a selection as either Uniqlo or the main J.Crew brand, they have a lot of stylish casual staples and even basic formalwear pieces, which are good enough to earn a place on my list of the best places to buy cheap affordable suits.
Frank And Oak
Frank and Oak isn’t as well-known or popular as some of the other brands on this list, but it’s very much worth checking out, especially if you’re looking for more sustainable alternatives.
While they specialize in casual staples like sweaters and chinos, they remind me of Uniqlo in that they have a fresh aesthetic that helps elevate the look of everyday wear.
Plus, as a certified B Corp, they have one of the greenest and most sustainable business models of any apparel brand:
All of their designs are made from sustainable materials, and their entire supply chain uses sustainable practices.
TopMan
In some ways, Topman (and its sister store Topshop) is to the United Kingdom what Uniqlo is to Japan.
Both sell clothes that reflect and define the fashion taste of their home countries, and both have found success exporting those looks to international audiences.
Everlane
Everlane is a great Uniqlo alternative because they offer a wide range of high-quality basics in modern styles and affordable prices.
And, like Frank and Oak, Everlane is another brand that legitimately cares about its environmental impact.
They put a heavy emphasis on ethics and sustainability, so shopping there means buying clothes that you can both look good in and feel good about.
Madewell
Another offshoot of J.Crew, Madewell is a good brand like Uniqlo to know about if you’re in the market for casual wear that’s hipper than the business casual vibe that J.Crew specializes in.
With a heavy focus on jeans, Madewell also carries all the casual staples and accessories to pair with them.
So it’s not only a great place to pick up your next pair of denim, but also a good place to turn for the sort of rugged, stylish boots that look great with jeans.
Banana Republic
And speaking of business casual, Banana Republic is a close competitor of stores like Uniqlo and J.Crew thanks to their stylish selection of clothes that can be worn in almost any office environment.
In addition to office staples, they also carry a wide selection of casual basics and different styles that can help elevate your off-duty and weekend looks as well.
boohooMAN
Hip, modern and fashion-forward, boohooMan (like its sister store boohoo, which focuses on womenswear) is a great online retailer if you want to go beyond the basics you’ll find at Uniqlo.
Their styles are always super hip and on-point, so it’s a great option for anyone who’s tired of the same stylish, but somewhat limited selection you often get from brands like Uniqlo.
H&M
H&M is a close Uniqlo competitor, but one that takes a very different approach to their merchandise.
Where Uniqlo tends to specialize in a core roster of pieces that are available year in and year out, as one of the best-known fast-fashion brands, H&M is on the opposite end of the spectrum:
They focus on super hip (and super cheap) pieces that you probably won’t see in the store next season.
With a focus on trendy designs and lower prices than most other brands, they’re one of the best clothing brands for cash-strapped young adults and guys who are both budget-conscious and fashion-forward.
The Gap
A big article in The Atlantic about the appeal of Uniqlo and its place within the fashion industry described the Japanese clothing company as “Gap for millennials.”
And they weren’t far off.
Uniqlo has become the casual style go-to for those of us born in the 80s, much as The Gap did for Gen Xers a generation before.
And while their styles might not be cutting edge, they’re still a great place to turn for casual and affordable basics.
Old Navy
Old Navy is basically the Gap’s kid brother, in more ways than one.
In addition to being a cheaper alternative that offers colourful basics, Old Navy skews toward a younger audience, both in terms of its styles and its even more affordable prices.
High fashion lovers may scoff at its basic designs and bright colors, but it’s a pretty solid go-to for staple pieces that are in the same price range as the fast fashion brands, but tend to be higher quality.
American Eagle
And sticking with similar brands that skew younger, American Eagle is a staple of malls across North America, and has long been a go-to for teens and people in their early 20s.
With a wide range of basics and casual staples, American Eagle definitely isn’t as grown up as Uniqlo, but it’s a good place to turn for the kinds of timeless pieces that people of any age always need (think tees, chinos, etc.).
Abercrombie & Fitch
Abercrombie & Fitch is kind of like a slightly more mature version of American Eagle.
It has a much more all-American feel than Uniqlo, but similarly focuses on essential wardrobe pieces that are stylish, comfortable, and higher quality than similar stuff from fast fashion retailers.
Jack Threads
Jack Threads isn’t as big a brand name as stores like Uniqlo, J.Crew and the Gap, but they’ve got a great selection of stylish and affordable casual pieces.
And unlike Uniqlo, Jack Threads also carries footwear, and has a fairly wide (and affordable) selection of men’s boots and shoes.
End Clothing
With a pretty solid selection of stylish and modern pieces from a wide range of cool brands, End is a good go-to for anyone looking for clothes that will help them stand out.
In addition to clothes, they also carry everything from accessories and footwear to a range of lifestyle products that includes grooming products, cologne, home decor pieces and more.
Next Up:
Discount Retail Stores that Make Good Uniqlo Alternatives ↓
Amazon
Amazon muscled its way into the world of retail clothing years ago, and today carries probably the biggest selection of clothes, brands, styles and pieces of any of the stores like Uniqlo on this list.
On Amazon you can get everything from high-quality clothing and big-name luxury brands to super cheap merchandise sold by oddly named stores.
So, you have to be discerning about what you choose, but the good news is that they have a huge selection and offer free shipping if you have Prime.
Urban Outfitters
Urban Outfitters might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of brands like Uniqlo and Muji.
But for a long time now it’s been a go-to for 20-somethings looking for fresh, on-point styles in everything from menswear to home goods.
Unlike Uniqlo, which exclusively sells its own line of products, Urban Outfitters carries a wide range of brands.
Plus, in addition to clothes, they also carry a pretty good selection of cool home and lifestyle products.
Check Out Urban Outfitters ➤
Target
Target is another one of those places you would probably never think of when looking for brands like Uniqlo.
But it’s really carved out a niche for itself as a purveyor of stylish and super-affordable casual staples and basics.
While they carry a number of brands, some of the best styles (and the best deals) come from their in-house brands like Original Use and Goodfellow & Co.
ASOS
Like Target, Asos sells its own line of stylish clothes, but also carries pieces from a wide range of other popular brands.
Based in the UK, Asos has a European aesthetic that’s quite fashion-forward compared to a lot of North American brands, and even many Japanese brands like Uniqlo.
Nordstrom
As a major department store, Nordstrom carries a wide range of brands, designers and styles, but its overall aesthetic and taste are similar to Uniqlo’s.
Both are good places to turn for refined and stylish staple pieces, though Nordstrom’s wider selection also means that its prices vary as well.
Nordstrom Rack
If you like Nordstrom’s styles and tastes but find their prices a little out of reach, Nordstrom Rack is the perfect alternative.
They carry a lot of the same big-name designers and brands that the flagship store couldn’t sell, giving you a great chance to score some great prices on pieces from last season.
Your Turn:
What are the (Other) Best Stores Like Uniqlo for Men?
The stores and brands listed above are our favorite alternatives to Uniqlo for stylish clothes that provide a strong value-for-money proposition.
But we’re curious to hear from you: did we miss anything?
If you know of other alternative brands that provide great style and good value, let us know in the comments below.
More Resources ↓
More Men’s Style Advice from Irreverent Gent:
- The Best J.Crew Alternatives for Men
- 16 Stylish Stores Like Madewell
- The 25 Best Stores Like Abercrombie & Fitch
- The 20 Best Stores Like Express
- How to Shop for Men’s Clothes
- How to Dress Better for Guys
- The Best Stores Like TJ Maxx Online
- 17 Stylish Sites & Online Stores Like Shein
- The 24 Best Stores Like Forever 21 for Stylish, Affordable Clothes
- 28 Stylish & Affordable Stores Like PacSun
- The Most Popular, Affordable & All Around Best Tweens Clothing Stores & Brands
- The Best Department Stores Like Macy’s
Banner Illustration: Irreverent Gent
