High-street shopping has received a bad rap over the last few years, but there are pieces to be found. These are our best high-street buys – that also look more expensive.
In a world of disposable fashion, where so much of what we wear ends up in landfill, budget-friendly clothing is thought to be among the worst culprits. Although the materials of our wardrobe favourites matter, what’s also important is how often we wear the styles we buy.
Whether designer or high-street, what’s needed is a thoughtful approach – only buying clothes that we really love because those are the pieces that won’t be quickly discarded. And there is treasure to be found on the high street, which is why each month we’ll highlight five pieces under £50 that won’t age. Each of these high-street buys look more expensive than they are, because shopping on a lower budget doesn’t mean negating style. Most will have a travel lens, but we also believe that, swimwear aside, what you wear on holiday shouldn’t be too far from what you wear in your day-to-day life anyway. For high-end energy clothes that will become favourites, start scrolling.
The Elegant Top
Massimo Dutti has been a go-to destination for fashion editors for a while now, but its new Oxford Street store will undoubtedly bring it to the masses. The lesser-known big sister of Zara (the two share a parent company), it’s great for elevated staples that you’ll depend on. This understated top – which features in its elegantly named ‘special prices’ (read: sale) category – has all the soft confidence of a cape with its billowing batwing sleeves, but with the versatility of your favourite black shirt. The chic boat neckline and monochrome colour palette combination turns this piece into a quiet power player that I’d wear tucked into high-waisted jeans in London and over floaty skirts in the evening on holiday. There’s something about the lack of skin on show that makes it discreetly sexy. Just add a pair of statement earrings and you’re good to go.
Batwing, cape-style top, £49.95, Massimo Dutti
The Where-Did-You-Get-Those Gold Earrings
Speaking of statement earrings, & Other Stories has a great gold pair that look like they’ve been hand-crafted and bought in a tiny independent boutique somewhere farflung. Created with polished brass, each earring is a mismatched swirling shape that gives it a real artisanal finish. They’re the perfect way of dressing up low-key outfits in a really easy way.
Mismatched earrings, £29, & Other Stories
The Nightie With Daytime Mileage
I have a problem with white summer dresses in that I can’t stop buying them. It’s an obsession I’ve had for the past 15 years and, even with a sticky-fingered toddler, it shows no sign of waning. For me, they’re the perfect warm weather wardrobe hero, free-spirited, easy-to-wear and romantic in a very light, breezy way. I’m always on the hunt for new versions, so of course fell for this embroidered nightie-LWD hybrid by Damson Madder, a British brand committed to making thoughtfully-created pieces made to last. Yes, you could wear it to bed, but you could also layer it over jeans in a very Y2K way, or – as I would – just team it with a pair of biker boots and a chunky cardigan (this one from Navygrey is perfect) for a relaxed, weekend park look.
Elspeth embroidered night, £50, Damson Madder
The Summer Party Trouser
It is my firmly held opinion that every summer wardrobe benefits from a pair of statement trousers. As I have grown older and my capacity for working out what to wear each day has shrunk, they are such an easy win. They have a relaxed, but upbeat energy, which is very much the summer I want to have. Look for loose-fitting styles in breathable fabrics (cotton and linen both work) ideally with a fun print, then find your most trusted tank top or T-shirt and you’re done. To dress them up for an evening, just swap your sandals for a kitten heel and accessorise with a gold chain or oversized earrings. These from Mango are perfect.
Printed cotton trousers, £35.99, Mango
The Evening Dress
If you have a wedding – or indeed any form of evening event that requires an elevated dress code – then Zara’s head-turning, asymmetric, feathered dress is for you. It has a very glamorous Taller Marmo quality to it, but for a much more budget-friendly price tag. The pink shade gives it a real summer appeal, the side-split means it’ll be easy to move in, and just imagine how those feathers will look on the dance-floor.
Feathered asymmetric dress, £45.99, Zara
Lead picture: Courtesy of Zara
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