If you are buying your first KAWS piece, or adding to a collection, not every release is the same buy. Here is our shortlist of what is worth your money right now and who each piece suits. Shop them all in the KAWS x UNIQLO collection at Shoe Religion.
Best first buy: UT Graphic Tee in Black
The UT Short Sleeve Graphic T-Shirt in black is the one to start with. The artwork pops against the dark ground, it works year-round, it layers well and it is the easiest piece to keep looking sharp. If you buy one KAWS item, make it this.
Best for summer: UT Graphic Tee in White
The white version reads cleaner and lighter, closer to a print on paper, and it lifts a summer fit in a way the black cannot. Undecided? See black vs white.
Best for collectors: KAWS x Warhol UT
The Warhol collaboration carries the most art-world weight of anything in the line, pairing two artists who both built careers reworking mass culture. Available in black and white, with the story in our Warhol explainer.
Best art-led piece: Artbook Cover Tee
The Artbook Cover T-Shirt is the pick if you want something less obviously character-driven. It reads as considered rather than cartoon, which makes it the easiest KAWS piece to wear in a smarter setting.
Best for colder weather: Longsleeve Sweatshirt
Most of the range is short sleeve, so the KAWS x Uniqlo Longsleeve Sweatshirt fills a real gap. Heavier fabric, more substance, and it extends the collaboration into autumn and winter.
Best seasonal pick: Valentine Tee
The KAWS x Uniqlo Valentine T-Shirt is a seasonal release with a distinctive graphic, and seasonal drops tend to be produced in smaller numbers, which gives them their own appeal for collectors.
How to choose
First piece: black graphic tee. Summer: white. Building a collection: Warhol and Artbook Cover. Winter: the longsleeve sweatshirt. Before ordering, check the sizing guide, since UT tees run regular rather than oversized.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best KAWS x UNIQLO piece to buy first? The black UT graphic tee, for versatility and wearability.
Which piece is most collectable? The Warhol UT tees carry the strongest art-world association.
Should I size up? Yes, if you want a relaxed fit; UT tees have a regular cut.
Where can I buy KAWS x UNIQLO in the UK? Shop the KAWS x UNIQLO collection at Shoe Religion.
Related reading: Complete Collector's Guide | Worth Collecting? | How to Style KAWS Tees