Uniqlo’s Heattech range is a well-known winter style hack among fashion insiders. The moment the temperatures drop, you’ll find loyalists – and newcomers – scouring the store aisles for the retailer’s thermal undergarments, spanning long-sleeves, bra tops, camis, and leggings.
The credentials alone are enticing. Heattech products are crafted from various lightweight fabric blends – containing cashmere and synthetics – woven using fibres one tenth the width of human hair, which trap air to insulate and wick moisture, keeping the body dry (and warm). The trait that sets these pieces apart from “regular” thermals? Heattech styles are unique for their flattering cuts, meaning that garments can be worn not only as thermal layers, but as staples in their own right.
The Uniqlo leggings have been especially popular. With the rise of athleisure as everyday wear – and leggings being considered a fashion item, worn beyond gym sessions and Pilates classes – Uniqlo devotees have taken to wearing their Heattech leggings as an intentional style choice, rather than a layer beneath jeans or trousers (which they are also great for). The thicker, high-denier versions lend well to daily usage; and can be styled with oversized knits and boots, jackets and ballet flats – and the like.
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As for which style to go for? The black leggings are the most classic and versatile colourway, while the thickness really depends on personal preference. The Ultra Warm and Extra Warm leggings are a solid bet: they deliver warmth when climes are in the minuses, and are a bit more substantial than the original Heattech versions. If you’re looking for a pair to layer beneath outfits, though, the OG Uniqlo leggings are best.