high-street

It all started back in spring when COS introduced a pair of beige wide-leg trousers that filled the gap in our wardrobes created by the phenomenon that was The Row’s 2021 pleat-front Phoebe pants. From Kendall Jenner to Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, many über-minimalists couldn’t resist their pared-back, timeless charm. At a cool £1420, these exact trousers understandably didn’t make their way into the wardrobes of our editors or anyone we know. Although there is a huge difference between a well-cut pair of trousers and an ill-fitting pair (not to mention the fabrics and finishes used), the style itself—a simple, roomy leg with a high waist—wasn’t unusual or different and could be traced back easily to slacks from the ’90s, ’80s and even R...

It’s been a challenging year for most high-street retailers, but walking into M&S was surprisingly refreshing. It was the first time in quite a few months I felt that I had walked into a shop and found several outfit options I could easily walk out in right then and there—not to mention how stress-free it is shopping somewhere that cuts true to size (or, if anything, a little on the generous side), and it really feels like it has everyone in mind when designing each piece. From polished tee-and-skirt combos to longline linen tunic dresses and everyday tea dresses, prepare to be impressed by the 10 pieces that I found that work just as well for a summer in the city as they will on a getaway.  You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are looking for Date...

As a fashion editor, I’ve become quite a picky high-street shopper. We’re in a very lucky position in this job that we get to see some of the most luxurious fashion shows in the world up close, and sometimes popping to Zara just doesn’t cut it. It makes it rather difficult to shop within my budget, especially when, I’ll admit, I also have expensive taste. But there are a few affordable brands I do turn to that I know I can rely on for expensive-looking buys every season. Arket, COS and H&M are three of my most-frequented, online and in-store.  What they all have in common is that they focus on doing those timeless staples really well. H&M may have younger and more trend-led sections, but I’ve learnt how to filter down and spot a more premium piece from a mile away. Think linen...

Whether you’re searching for an expensive-looking dress to add to your regular rotation, some affordable denim or relaxed tailoring to up your office outfit game, even if you don’t know exactly what your closet needs to feel fresh, you can be confident that H&M will have something that not only fits the bill but also makes your wardrobe all the better for it.  The label’s offering for 2022 is, if possible, better than ever. They’ve tapped into the biggest summer trends and given them timeless twists so you can pull them out year after year. Think floaty kaftan dresses and cut-out styles as well as more transitional themes to take into autumn, such as utility details and ’90s minimalism. Put simply, there’s something to suit all tastes and wardrobes....

Twenty twenty-two is without doubt the year of the trouser. Tailored, slouchy, cargo, denim, low-rise… You name it; people want to wear it. But one shape, in particular, is pulling ahead as the most popular trouser trend, and it’s unsurprising, really. Wide-leg trousers are the wardrobe staple everyone from celebrities to our favourite influencers is wearing right now, and when you consider they’re comfy, chic and a really easy way to make an outfit look polished all year round, it totally makes sense.  They’ve quickly become one of our most-wanted categories on Who What Wear, probably because of how versatile they are. Trainers, heels, sandals, loafers—they all go with wide-legs. And since they’re inherently smart, you can pair them with any of the above and they work for the of...

It’s fair to say there are plenty of good things to look forward to about summer. Jetting off on Mediterranean holidays, listening to a great band at your favourite festival, whiling away the weekends in your local pub garden with far too much rosé… I could go on. But one quite niche thing I always really look forward to, is embracing more colour in my wardrobe. In autumn/winter I’m all about those classic neutrals which are easy to layer. But in summer my inner extrovert comes out, and all I want to wear is printed shirts, bold dresses and bright swimwear. Yes, tonal whites, beiges and creams can look really chic in summer, but there’s just something really feel-good (not to mention flattering) about a bright colour against sunkissed skin.   In my expert opinion, ...

Arket’s linen collection is known for being one of the best on the high street, and since I tend to avoid dresses, the relaxed separates provide a perfect alternative. This year, though, it’s their co-ords in particular that have impressed me— and I’m not alone. I’ve spotted so many influencers and fashion people on my social media feeds that have been wearing them non-stop like me. The 100% linen fabric means they’re great in the heat, and the two-piece not only means they’re an easy all-in-one outfit to throw on in the mornings, but it also looks polished. All you need is a great pair of sandals, vest top and basket bag and you’ve got a look that works for so many summer occasions— from weekends in the city to beach days on holiday.  Since Arket is so smart at kn...

I check Zara’s app as much as I check Instagram, which is dangerously often. One part work duty and one part passion project, my obsession with seeing each and every new thing that’s added to the app has a lot of benefits—one of which is spotting all of the best arrivals before they sell out. As someone who knows all too well how swiftly items disappear off Zara’s shelves, I can tell you with certainty that the dresses I just discovered will not make it past next week.  If you want to be one of the lucky ones who gets their hands on the prettiest selection of dresses I have ever seen grace the retailer’s website, you’ll have to act fast or face a hefty dose of regret. From neutral dresses that will go with...

As a fashion editor, there’s a few tricks I have up my sleeve for shopping the high street. There’s so many expensive-looking gems to be found, after all—you just have to know where to look for them. H&M is one of my regular haunts when I’m looking for affordable but chic wardrobe pieces to top up my collection, and although its new-in sections are full of trend-focused buys that are at risk of being worn for one season and then forgotten, there are some insider hacks I use to shortcut my way to the better investments.  One of those is to look at the premium section first— here you’ll find the best fabrics and most thoughtful designs. Another thing I do is bypass the trend sections and make a beeline for the minimalist classics. Recently, as I was scrolling through doing just this...

As editors we try to stay on top of these by browsing Instagram and, of course, the new-in section regularly— but the true experts in knowing the best pieces to buy from M&S are their insiders. These women live and breathe M&S, and not only have great taste— but they get the down-low straight from the brand on the next big things before anyone else. So, of course, I had to track them down to see what insider insights I could get on the brand new summer collection.  If you don’t follow M&S experts Sam Briones and Nicola Dougan on Instagram already, you’re going to want to do so now. Below, they’ve kindly revealed to me (and you) the new-in summer pieces we’re going to want to buy while we still can. From perfect, easy dresses to classic sandal...

Listen. It goes without saying that Zara can be your shopping destination for all things in any season. Whether it’s casual wear, formal frocks, swimsuits, dresses, jackets, or handbags, the brand has got you covered no matter what you’re looking for. But every once in a while, a quick perusal of the site will show that one or more categories are thriving well beyond the rest—exceeding the usual greatness and achieving excellence. Right now, that’s undoubtedly its shoes.  From high heels to flats to in-between sandals, Zara’s footwear game for summer can only be described as next-level. That might be why my attempt to provide you with a tight edit of my absolute favourites resulted in nothing less than a whopping 28 ...

Right now, my regular shopping haunts are full to the brim with fabulous summer pieces—so much so that it’s almost overwhelming. To get my thoughts (and my shopping list) in order, I decided to pull together my favourite summer buys from each brand, as I thought seeing them side by side would make it easier to whittle down the pieces I actually want to invest in. How wrong I was. Ultimately, there’s a huge amount of incredible fashion to be had on the high street right now. From heavyweights including & Other Stories and Arket to Who What Wear UK’s very own sustainable, made-on-order collection, Drop 01, the latest pieces are a feast for the eyes and a tempting shopping prospect for anyone who wants to unlock their full sartorial potential this sum...