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 timeless clothes that will become favourites, start scrolling.
The Upbeat Knit
If you buy one thing in the winter sales, make it a piece of knitwear in an uplifting shade. Bold colour is back in a big way in 2026, so make a head start now. For a great city break saviour, Mango’s cable-knit jumper in baby blue is cheerful without being too visually demanding (it is January after all, so we go gently). It’s also a very versatile colour and style – good with your favourite jeans at the weekend or with a tailored pair of wide-leg trousers for the office. I also like it tucked into a midi skirt for a day-to-night look that will keep out the cold too.
The Bow Earrings
I have waxed lyrical about the joy of museum gift shops before, and I’m afraid am about to do so again. They often offer such a thoughtfully curated edit of beautiful objets. I found this pair of bejewelled bow earrings at the V&A’s Kensington store, and have had so many compliments on them that it felt remiss not to share them here. The glitter doesn’t have to fade completely with the end of the festive season; keep these in your arsenal for an easily packable way of adding sparkle to a laidback travel outfit.
The Fashion Trackies
Tracksuits have become part of the fashion-girl uniform. The best have a polished edge, like these from Nobody’s Child, which means they go beyond the gym and the airport. A good pair of trackies don’t have to be styled just with trainers; I wear mine with a pair of loafers and a chunky jumper in winter and with ballet pumps and a T-shirt in the summer. Don’t dismiss them as an eveningwear option either – team with a white shirt and a pair of heels and you’re ready for that wine bar.
The Elevated Scarf
Brown is such an easy route to feeling pulled-together and chic. The soft, adaptable shade was huge in 2025, and – especially if you’re yet to be persuaded by 2026’s vibrant colour renaissance – it’s still worth investing in. This chocolate-toned scarf from & Other Stories will become a staple this winter, and works well with navy, yellow or pinks. It used to be that scarves were a bit of an afterthought, but they’ve become much more of a fashion hero piece, thanks to the rise of both triangle styles, and extra long designs. This one will refresh your everyday outerwear without sacrificing comfort.
The Scarf Top
Speaking of the great scarf revival, another way they’ve become part of the fashion conversation again is via ready-to-wear with built-in styles. The best-known version of this is the coat-scarf hybrid, first introduced by Toteme in 2021, and now widely replicated for every price point. Hot on their heels are tops with scarves, a look I have welcomed gladly – anything that combines winter warmth and elegance gets my vote. If you want to update your work wardrobe for 2026, this charcoal, wool knit from M&S is a great option. It’ll also dress up denim in a very modern, but grown-up way.
Lead picture: Courtesy of M&S
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.
Lead image courtesy of H&M
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