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 Summer Skirt You’ll Wear Everywhere
Next is such an unsung treasure trove when it comes to budget-friendly, desirable fashion at the moment, and this floral tube skirt is a great example. There’s something about a summer look made up of separates that somehow has the edge on a pretty dress. This one has real range – wear it with a T-shirt or sporty tank and sandals for a relaxed weekend or daytime look, or dress it up for evening with a silk cami and minimal heels. Give it office mileage by teaming it with an oversized shirt and simple gold hoops.
The Warm Weather Tote
I love a basket bag with an enthusiasm that baffles my husband (he doesn’t understand why I own six), but as much as I like the classic styles, often they’re either too big or too small for everyday use. Perfect for the beach or for market shopping, but less useful beyond that. New Look’s woven tote with fringed detailing sits in the middle – large enough for the essentials but not cumbersome. It also comes with a single slip pocket to store your debit card and phone.
The Linen Shirt
I have long preached about the virtues of a great shirt, a style that I have come to appreciate the older I become. I always pack one on holiday despite the creasing (leaving them on a hanger outside in a warm climate tends to do magic in terms of erasing them), because they double up as the perfect beach cover-up. This striped linen H&M version with Hamptons energy looks much more expensive than it is, and falls on the right side of preppy. I’d wear tucked into shorts or a full high-waisted skirt, or layered over a swimsuit on the beach.
The Gingham Trousers
June marks what would have been Marilyn Monroe’s centenary year, and so images of her have started to resurface, including a shot of her wearing cropped gingham trousers. She wore them a lot – with black roll-necks, white shirts and sleeveless button-throughs. These pictures and the styling looks so fresh even today, although I’d be more likely to wear them with a T-shirt or one of the season’s must-have white broderie tops. Gap does a classic style in both red and blue (although the latter is £10 more expensive). Both will be a true summer stalwart.
The Designer Collab Worth Investing In
As a long-standing fan of Cecilie Bahnsen’s romantic, modern dresses, I was very pleased to hear about the Scandi designer’s collaboration with Uniqlo, out now. If you’re looking for a feminine summer dress to wear forever, this is a great place to start. I love both the gingham and black styles; the shirred detailing creates an hour-glass silhouette and the ruffle detailing is pretty but not saccharine. A pair of sporty sandals (these Miu Miu-inspired design from M&S are very popular with the fashion crowd right now), will offset the feminine energy perfectly. A special mention must also go to the sleeveless tops, ideal with your favourite jeans and sandals.
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 Mango
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