My Standard
SpecialJason Jules’s
Wardrobe
Jason Jules is the author of Black Ivy: A Revolt in Style, a book that sheds light on the role of Ivy Style in Black culture. Here’s his take on UNIQLO and classic styling.
"Presenting five different styles."
"Presenting five different styles."
Jason Jules
Writer, Creative Director
Born in London, England (UK). Writing for numerous publications, Jason Jules has published articles on fashion, music, and design. In 2021, his book Black Ivy: A Revolt in Style made a huge splash. Today, he's relocated to Asunción, Paraguay where he manages his brand Garmsville.
The Joy of Layering
Layer up, overload on textures, pile on the colours, play around with patterns, fit and proportions. Don't compromise on how you feel or the level of pleasure you can get from wearing what some people might count as two whole outfits at the same time.
What I love about UNIQLO clothes is the simplicity and honesty of the design. As a brand, their emphasis on classic styles gives you some incredible layering options if you so choose. The bold, block colors of a cashmere sweater, a classic grey marl hoodie, blue striped Oxford button down shirts, oversize over coats and fitted blazers, neat two-button tweed jackets and high waisted flat front trousers — these are all classic Ivy League pieces and they’re all there to be mixed and matched and mixed again.
But why?
For me, as someone who loves classical clothing, layering allows me to add a playfulness to what I wear each day. It's like an ongoing experiment, to try something on in a new way and see if it works or not. What that allows me to do is invest and evolve my own style through an expansive but cohesive wardrobe. What's more, for me at least, is that it’s incredibly practical.
Going from day to night, from business appointment to social gathering, layering up means I can change and adapt my look several times in a single day. I first saw this played out by jazz musicians and Fred Astaire when I was a kid.
Being a Black working class kid living in east London, Ivy League style and colleges was totally unknown to me growing up, but it was through these guys, the jazz album sleeves and Fred Astaire's classic movies, that I first got into Ivy league clothing. What immediately struck me was that they looked supremely stylish — wearing ties and button down shirts and soft shoulder blazers, but in a way that wasn't stuffy or precious. What made them stand out from everyone else I felt was that they adapted the way they wore these clothes to fit their lifestyle. Working late at night in a recording studio, or a dance rehearsal studio seemed to require a greater level of functionality than most men demanded from their clothes. To me it looked effortless and relaxed and fun. They seemed to enjoy improvising with their clothes in much the same way they improvised with their work and I guess I've been inspired to do something similar in my own way every day, regardless of the occasion, when it comes to how I like to dress. (Jason Jules)
When layering shirts, keep things loose around the collar to give the style shape. The choice of colors is key. Wearing a bright madras plaid for the inner shirt is a nice traditional choice. This white crewneck adds freshness to the neckline. Purple socks are a Jason signature. Compatible accent colors tie the whole outfit together.
This iconically British coat evokes a hunting atmosphere. Style it casually or dressed up with a suit jacket. The shirt is classic tattersall, while the magenta high-gauge sweater draped over Jason's shoulders gives the outfit a personal touch.
Being a Black working class kid living in east London, Ivy League style and colleges was totally unknown to me growing up, but it was through these guys, the jazz album sleeves and Fred Astaire's classic movies, that I first got into Ivy league clothing. What immediately struck me was that they looked supremely stylish — wearing ties and button down shirts and soft shoulder blazers, but in a way that wasn't stuffy or precious. What made them stand out from everyone else I felt was that they adapted the way they wore these clothes to fit their lifestyle. Working late at night in a recording studio, or a dance rehearsal studio seemed to require a greater level of functionality than most men demanded from their clothes. To me it looked effortless and relaxed and fun. They seemed to enjoy improvising with their clothes in much the same way they improvised with their work and I guess I've been inspired to do something similar in my own way every day, regardless of the occasion, when it comes to how I like to dress. (Jason Jules)
Jason wears his beanie folded up high around the head. Slight adjustments to simple pieces are the essence of personal style.
"That’s Ivy Style!"
"That’s Ivy Style!"
This classic sporty look is like a snapshot of 1970s Ivy League style. Expressive natural denim is framed by white accessories. A shirt in neutral ice blue, new this season, and a green BLOCKTECH point to the colors of a college campus.
Jason wears his beanie folded up high around the head. Slight adjustments to simple pieces are the essence of personal style.
The Long-Lasting Oxford
Nobody told me UNIQLO would be producing Oxford button down shirts as a staple part of their offerings. Eventually I figured it out for myself. Up until then almost every time I went into the store I’d buy one or two or three Oxfords, just in case they stopped doing them. You see, the thing is when Uniqlo opened in London there was pretty much nothing else like it, nothing to compare it too. In fact, a lot of my circle of friends didn't know what to make of it. Was it cool? Was it mainstream? Was it credible? Personally I had none of those concerns, since I knew that any brand capable of producing Oxford button down shirts of this quality had to be taken seriously. What worried me was, whether like most stores of the time, they'd randomly, out of the blue, elect to stop stocking these amazing shirts and replace them with something more fashion-orientated or directional. Twenty or so years after buying my first UNIQLO Oxford button down shirt, I'm glad, and rather relieved to say, they're still available. I actually still have some of the first Oxford button down shirts I bought when the store opened. Does that make them vintage now? I don't know. (Jason Jules)
"Color socks are the key!"
Jason opts for a slightly larger coat, which he wears with the cuffs folded up. Simple accessories give his look flashes of style.
Roll rigid denim once or twice so that the dye won't mark the shoes. This also opens up a window for bright socks. Accents work best in tiny doses.
"Color socks are the key!"
When dressing down a double face coat, it's best to match it with authentic items. A classic heather gray hoodie paired with rigid denim jeans makes for a crisp, put-together look. Most of all, the soft and comfortable coat from Uniqlo : C gives the outfit a chic sense of casual comfort.
Jason opts for a slightly larger coat, which he wears with the cuffs folded up. Simple accessories give his look flashes of style.
Roll rigid denim once or twice so that the dye won't mark the shoes. This also opens up a window for bright socks. Accents work best in tiny doses.
My Favorite Pair
I think a lot of people were shocked when UNIQLO introduced selvedge jeans at an affordable price. Till then it was almost taken for granted that this type of denim was the domain of purists and experts and not really for everyone. I think that’s one of the things I like about the brand and their range of jeans in particular, it’s like they have confidence in their customers’ taste. One of the most recent pairs of jeans I bought I actually found in the women’s department—boyfriend jeans I guess you call them. They have a high waist, a low rise and tapered leg. I can’t tell you the amount of people asking where I got them. Like all the jeans I’ve bought from UNIQLO, these ones are ageing and fading very nicely. That hasn’t stopped me from buying two more pairs of course—just in case they stop making them. (Jason Jules)
- Photography by Hiroyuki Seo
- Coordination by Megumi Yamano
- Styling by UNIQLO
- Text by Jason Jules and UNIQLO
- Special thanks to Mariana dos Santos
Release dates vary depending on the product. All listed prices, current as of August 23th, include sales tax and are subject to change.