‘Forget jumpers and jackets, the Uniqlo x JW Anderson piece I'm waking up early for is the £8 socks'

With the average price of luxury goods surging by an inflation-busting 52% since 2019, according to Business of Fashion, only the rare few will be able to own a piece from JW Anderson's A/W26 collection for Dior. Which is why Uniqlo's long-standing collaboration with the Irish designer is quite the coup.

The new autumn/winter Uniqlo x JW Anderson launched today and is made up of chic brushed blouson jackets (we love the brown and grey checks), great knitwear, wearable pleated chinos and pleated asymmetric skirts. It's billed as ‘a celebration of theatre, academia, and the spontaneity of artistic expression,’ and the most expensive item is £80.

But there's one piece our style director, Melanie, is making a beeline for, and it's probably not what you expect. ‘Whenever I see that JW Anderson is releasing a Uniqlo range, I get excited,’ she says. ‘Not for a jumper or jacket but for his...socks! I first bought them a few years ago for my son who basically smashes socks to oblivion within a few months. But not these ones. I was so impressed with the quality, I went back the next day to get some for myself.

Uniqlo x JW Anderson Unisex HEATTECH Socks

£8 at Uniqlo

‘So began a family love affair with Uniqlo x JW Anderson socks. One that sees me planning which ones I'm getting days in advance (the benefit of getting a preview) and then logging on early to snap them up when the collection launches. My son has a sock drawer full of them and they last. He's still wearing the ones I bought him three years ago. And the ones I got him last year. They're well made, sturdy, and comfortable, without being too thick. For anyone with cold feet, they feature Uniqlo's HeatTech fabric for added cosiness.

Uniqlo x JW Anderson Unisex HEATTECH Half Socks (Multi Striped)

£8 at Uniqlo

‘This latest drop has three styles: stripes, a colour block and – my favourite – the argyles. They come in three colourways and I'll be stocking up on a couple of each for myself. You can even match them to one the wool blend jumpers from the range.’

Uniqlo x JW Anderson Unisex HEATTECH Half Socks (Colour Block)

£8 at Uniqlo

A strong sock with a loafer, ankle boot or kitten heel is also a real fashion power move this season, so we suggest snapping them up to add instant pops of colour to your autumn looks. The best bit? They're just £7.80 (or 2 pairs for £12.90).

So, bag the socks, then shop the best of the rest.