Stylish Warmth: Uniqlo's HEATTECH Proves Cosy Can Look Cool

In Partnership with Uniqlo

Nothing looks less chic than shivering through winter, but no one wants to sacrifice style for sense. Enter Uniqlo’s HEATTECH: cleverly engineered to keep you warm without the bulk, in a palette that makes layering effortless. By Emma Kate Miller

Here’s my winter secret: Uniqlo’s HEATTECH. It’s the one thing I rely on the minute the chill sets in. Designed to trap heat without the weight, it’s quietly genius, a base layer that actually looks good. Cate Blanchett is the global ambassador, which makes total sense because she has that same effortless elegance the brand captures so well.

Nic and I bonded years ago over our shared love of Uniqlo. She would pack for the winter fashion weeks, knowing how icy those show spaces can be, while I would top up my PR work wardrobe with their staples. Some things just stick, and HEATTECH is one of them.

 As soon as the leaves start to fall, I dig out my favourites and always treat myself to something new. It means I can stretch my autumn wardrobe those few weeks longer, with lighter dresses, shirts, knits and blazers that still work once HEATTECH’s underneath. The colour palette is refined and easy to mix, so everything layers together without effort. My new must-haves are the Extra Warm Cashmere Blend Turtleneck T-Shirt (£19.90), soft, breathable and sleek enough to wear under a blazer or chunky knit, and the Extra Warm Cashmere Blend Scoop Neck T-Shirt (£19.90), which adds quiet polish to any practical outfit.

 We’re spending Christmas in the Alps this year, and while there are no snow sports planned, it’s guaranteed to be cold. So I’m investing in a few extra pieces, because there really is no such thing as bad weather, only bad layers. HEATTECH saw me through a February trip to Reykjavik, so I know exactly what we’ll need to pack. The range runs from gloves and scarves to leggings, camisoles and socks, so you can layer up from head to toe without adding bulk. Everything sits beautifully under your favourite outfits, keeping you warm without disturbing the shape. They’re also my perfect WFH companions — I rarely put the heating on during the day, and with HEATTECH I don’t need to. It’s the layer that quietly does all the work, keeping you warm while everything else looks effortless.

If you haven’t tried HEATTECH yet, now’s the time. The Edinburgh store on Princes Street opened to huge excitement last year, bright, airy and right in the heart of the capital. Glasgow’s new store at the St Enoch Centre is just as impressive, spanning over 22,000 square feet and stocked with every layering essential. 

Trust me, once you’ve tried HEATTECH, you’ll wonder how you ever got through a Scottish winter without it.