Stax-I just lucked out. I wasn't even looking for chinos. They only had a few at half price and I just grabbed them. I tried one pair on and I realised they were my kind of fit.I didn't know at the time that they offer a shortening service.
My alterations were nearly 50%of the purchase price. HaHa. It gave me an opportunity to try out the local shop doing alterations

Robbie - I had no idea Uniqlo offered that service. I wonder how many short legged people like me have left the store without knowing that was an option?

Alvey - I suppose it's only a false economy if you're expecting to keep it as long, wash and wear it as much and keep it looking as good for as long as a Harley would? For a lot of people - especially fast fashion shoppers - two years is probably long enough to make use of a blue crew knit. For the price of a Harley you could have three or four Uniqlos which would collectively do you for maybe 8 years? And a hell of a lot of people would baulk at paying over £100 for a sweater.

Of course there's no denying that ultimately, one is just a jumper and the other's going to give the owner that bit of extra pleasure just owning and wearing it

^Spendthrift

You have hit the nail on the head. Fast fashion versus enduring style.

I am an old man compared to the youngsters out there. I remember a time when quality was everywhere and you didn't pay a premium for it. My tastes have probably narrowed too.

I want things to last. A sweater that I only wear occasionally for a max 6 months of the year should last for more than two winters.

I have Ralph cashmere cables that are twenty years old and they still look good. They have kept their shape and not pilled.

@Alvey - No, but when I used to frequent New England in the early noughties. A lovely little shop in Essex CT, called J Alden Clothiers sold them, nothing to do with the shoe company.

Has anyone given their 5-pocket cords a go? They look a bit like Levi’s 511 from days of yore, a trouserni often wish was still in production. I may take the chance and report back. Marginally more expensive than the aforementioned chunk but only by a tenner or so.

Popped into Uniqlo today to see what was on offer. Too crowded for me to see much of the merchandise so I just bought the socks and 3 raw white T shirts. These are some of the best t shirts I've ever owned! Good neck detail, heavyweight cotton and the creamy colour becomes white after a couple of washes. A great fit for me and at £12.90 an absolute bargain. Made in Vietnam. Uniqlo offer quite a few different t shirts at different price points so I had to be careful to get the one I wanted.
There was an updated version of a Parka raincoat in green. I was wearing a Uniqlo Parka from a few years ago that I picked up for a song.

Bought a few bits @ Uniqlo Georgetown Penang today, 3 prs socks to wear with deck shoes, 4 prs boxers, 2 pocket tees, chino shorts, 2 waffle sweats for the Mrs, just over a hundred quid the lot, I think marginally cheaper than UK, the chinos I bought at 35 quid in London were around 30 quid here, excellent value,

Kingston1an - yep a long way but only 15 minutes in a cab from my hotel, easier than a trip to Regent St, we’re a similar vintage and I’m making the most of the retirement malarkey, I understand it’s not for everyone, my oldest pal who 3-4 times per year was off to Spain,Canaries,USA has told me he don’t think he’ll bother traveling abroad after the holiday he has booked in September, he can’t be bothered with the airport hassle which I can understand, long haul seems easier than easyjet to faro, I’m lucky my kids are happy for me to spend their inheritance!

Stax,

Good stuff. Enjoy!

A younger outlook would help me. As pointed out, I am too nostalgic for a golden era when I was 10 to 12 years old.

Kingy - I guess that golden era you’re referring to was around 63-65, it did feel like something new was happening, music, clothes etc, maybe it was the age we were and where we lived in or around London,
BTW I think I have a new Uniqlo convert in my Wife, she’s now talking about making a trip to the Kingston store when we get back home!

One of the best things I've purchased from Uniqlo is a dark navy raincoat. It's constructed from a matt nylon and has a detachable liner. 

The weight's ideal for Autumn and Spring. I don't bother removing the liner. It was about £60 in the sale

I think their lambswool saddle shoulder knits are also well worth buying. I've paid as little as £13 for them. Wear them for a couple of years and as soon as they pill they can be discarded without the buyers remorse.

The quality of their merino wool polo shirts is as good as any Smedley  I own. I just wish the collar was slightly larger

Robbie- in my Uniqlo trip in Penang I bought 2 oversized t’s, they’re not really oversized just loose, elbow length sleeves,ideal for hols with the chest pocket for sunglasses and beer tokens, limited colours though, I got white and grey, the green & yellow were odd shades,