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Uniqlo’s Affordable Sister Brand Drops Stylish Basics Steeped in Vintage Military Surplus

GU teams up with Engineered Garments for the first time to bring workwear- and military-inspired essentials to masses.

Close-up of a person wearing a textured dark gray fleece jacket with a hood and snap buttons.GU
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By Jack Seemer

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Since arriving stateside, Uniqlo’s become one of the biggest brands in fast fashion, namely by focusing on actual fashion.

The Japanese retailer constantly collaborates with some of the biggest names in the industry, including Jil Sander, JW Anderson and, most recently, Needles.

Smartly, Uniqlo’s up-and-coming sister brand has decided to follow in its footsteps.

Three hooded fleece jackets in dark gray, black, and olive green laid flat on a white surface.
GU teams up with longtime Uniqlo collaborator Engineered Garments for the duo’s first capsule together.
GU

Under the influence

Early next month, GU and Engineered Garments (a brand that’s partnered with Uniqlo since 2019) will release their first-ever capsule collection together.

Titled “Manhattanism,” the roster of utilitarian basics plays to the brands’ respective strengths, combining Engineered Garments’s affinity for vintage military surplus with GU’s reputation for bargain-bin prices.

Man wearing an oversized olive green hooded jacket with multiple flap pockets and matching pants.
The most expensive piece in the collection, this hooded parka, still costs less than $100.
GU

The most expensive piece in the collection is a hooded parka, available in olive or navy, that pairs a water-repellent ripstop shell with warm quilted lining.

Close-up of a person wearing an olive-green jacket with a high collar and a textured inner lining.
The jacket comes in olive green or navy.
GU
Close-up of olive green woven fabric with a slightly textured surface.
The outer shell features water-repellent ripstop fabric.
GU

Even so, it comes in at under $100, punching way above its weight when you consider the price of regular Engineered Garments outerwear, which can swell into the thousands.

Other highlights include a hooded faux-fur blouson and shawl cardigan, both tying in vintage-military-inspired details like reinforced elbow pads, rounded collars and snap buttons.

Man wearing a dark gray cable-knit cardigan with large buttons and a brown ribbed beanie.
The shawl cardigan comes in two colors, gray or black.
GU
Dark gray knitted sweater sleeve with cable knit pattern and elbow patch on a white background.
Elbow pads add a dash of utility.
GU

Heavyweight sweats round out the collection, with colors that match the no-nonsense aesthetic of the other pieces.

Availability and pricing

The GU and Engineered Garments collaboration will be available for purchase on December 5, with prices start at $40. Browse the full lineup below.

Dark gray hooded fleece jacket with snap buttons and a chest pocket on a light gray background.GU

GU x Engineered Garments Faux Sherling Fleece Snap Hoodie

Dark gray cable-knit cardigan with shawl collar and front pockets laid flat on a light gray background.GU

GU x Engineered Garments Cable Shawl Collar Cardigan

Gray crewneck sweatshirt with "MANHATTANISM" printed in black across the chest.GU

GU x Engineered Garments Heavy Weight Sweatshirt

Olive green straight-leg pants with front pleats and belt loops on a gray background.GU

GU x Engineered Garments Heavy Weight Sweat Pants

About the Author:

Jack Seemer is the executive editor at Gear Patrol, with over a decade of experience in product journalism. He currently reports on a wide range of topics, including footwear, watches, EDC, cookware and more.

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