High-street shopping has received a bad rap over the last few years, but there are great 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 Party Trousers
I live in party trousers during the course of December and by that I mean anything that comes in either velvet or decorated in sequins. My favourite, an ancient pair from H&M, looks much like the style below – drenched in sequins and great with knitwear. They work with flats (I like to dress mine down with a pair of Converse, although loafers look more polished and equally as comfortable), but also pair well with a heel, too. Keep the outfit balanced by keeping the top half of your look simple, a roll-neck, cashmere crew-neck or a cable knit tick all the right boxes.
The Comfortable Dance Floor Heel
There’s nothing like an impractical shoe to spell party-time, but if you don’t want your dance-floor activity to be scuppered by painful feet, consider a kitten heel instead – the grown-up alternative to stilettos. These from Next fall on the chicer side of Mrs Christmas; the green velvet and dainty bow feel truly festive, but they’re also versatile enough to be worn with a pair of cropped jeans or your favourite LBD.
The Cocktail Cardigan
The rise of the cardigan as an eveningwear option has been stealth. This cosy knit, which now comes with a dose of embellishment, has shed its former guise to become a part of the modern fashion-girl uniform. Whether you tuck yours into a midi skirt or dressed down with denim, it’s a way of nodding to the season’s merriment in a low-key way. M&S’ wool version with sparkling flowers feels very Prada adjacent, especially when cinched with a skinny belt. Worn unbuttoned to reveal the slightest hint of a bra, the cocktail cardigan is special but never too much much.
The Grown-Up Party Skirt
River Island is often missed when it comes to high-street edits, but there’s always a few great expensive-looking gems to be found. Its pink tassle design will not only give you a headstart on spring/summer 2026 when fringed skirts will be everywhere, but will also look great with a T-shirt and loafers for a relaxed party look. For a dressier look, consider a pair of Carrie Bradshaw-inspired 90s’ mules.
The Cool-Girl Hair Accessory
For a low-effort nod to the season, a well chosen hair clip is hard to beat. Simone Rocha paved the way with her pearl and crystal clips, which have since been worn by Alexa Chung, and the fashion crowd quickly followed suit. A sparkling hair slide, twinkling clip, or a carefully tied velvet bow sprinkles instant festive fairydust over an outfit. This gold and silver set from Mango can be worn altogether or separately.
Lead picture: Courtesy of H&M
Ella Alexander is Citizen Femme’s fashion features editor. She started her career at the Evening Standard, and has since held senior editorial roles at Vogue, The Independent and Harper’s Bazaar, where she remains a contributing editor. She also writes for The Telegraph, Sunday Times Style, Service95 and CNN. She is an author, having co-written Dame Zandra Rhodes’ memoir, Iconic: My Life In Fashion In 50 Objects, published by Transworld in July 2024. Her favourite travel destination is Catania, Sicily’s second city.
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