high-street

Being in the industry helps with this, I think, as we see and try so much from the high street for work that it becomes easier to spot the recurring themes: which brands do which pieces best and which trends are going to stick around for more than one season. So, what made the cut recently?  To help you in building your own wardrobes (or maybe you just want to be nosy—totally fine too), I’ve listed some of my best high-street finds from the last six months below. I will preface this edit by saying that as a shopper, I’m probably what you’d call a minimalist. I enjoy the odd bright, frilly dress in summer (who doesn’t?), but when it comes to the colder months, I do tend to err on the side of neutral classics to mix and match. So maximalists, these might not be the picks you w...

So, what’s on the menu? Well, there’s great transitional items like knitted dresses (yep still— if you haven’t got one, get one), and vests which are taking a retro, maximalist turn for spring. Layer them up now and wear them alone with wide-leg trousers when the temperatures rise. Co-ords, stripes and loose jeans are three other trends that aren’t going anywhere in 2022, and Zara’s hero pieces in these areas have been selling-out like hotcakes— so move quickly. And finally we turn to shoes, because we all know how great Zara shoes are. The brand is going hard with its support for platforms this year, which is for the best since they’re a fashion-girl favourite. And when we’re not wearing platform boots and sandals, you can bet we’ll be in ballet flat...

The dress, which Francesca Saffari has already (and cleverly!) snapped up, features every key component that I look for in a dress. Boasting a midi-length hem, a nipped-in waist, a high neckline, puff sleeves, a gorgeous colour, and a sublime satin material, put simply, this is the perfect dress for Christmas and New Year. But that’s not to say that its charm will fade at the stroke of midnight on December 31. From styling it with headbands and heels for weddings to dressing it down with chunky boots and a shacket for weekend brunches, I have big plans for this M&S dress in 2022.  If you think there’s a place for it in your future, too, follow the link to shop it below before it sells out. Then, continue on to see the other excellent dresses M&S...

December is all about indulgence. It typically starts with a busy social calendar and ends with hours spent on the sofa doing very little. & Other Stories’s latest collection caters perfectly to both extremes. If you want to wear something fabulously festive, we’d recommend you look to the pearl-adorned cream jumper or the exquisitely sheer-bronze top and dress, which both have a shimmery effect. In addition to its partywear, the brand excels at cosy dressing. The knitwear and lingerie sections are filled with dreamy, sofa-ready options, including an amazing pair of shearling slippers, a pyjama blouse with a delicate ruffled collar and a chunky cable-knit jumper in bright red. You might not realise that & Other Stories also has a brilliant beauty offering, and we p...

The noughties has had a bit of a rebrand this year—now it’s known as Y2K and the fashion trends from this era have been adopted by the TikTok crowd. Crystal belts, cowl necks and all. Numerous 00s trends have had a revival, and there’s one high street brand in particular that has mastered all things Y2K. Monki always has playful, youthful styling, so it’ll come as no surprise that it’s fully embraced cut-outs, groovy prints and slinky silhouettes. This week the brand is celebrating its 15th birthday, with 15% off everything between the 9th and 12th December with the code BDAY15. We’ve combed through the whole website to bring our edit of the Y2K trends that we are most impressed by, and they range from the subtle to the truly out there. There’s slinky little black dresses you’d expect see ...

Free People is always one of my favourite high-street destinations for unusual or statement pieces that you won’t see everyone else wearing. For this reason, the brand really stands out when it comes to event dressing. It might have a reputation for festival outfits, but I find that its party selection is just as strong. Whether you like to dress like you’ve been dipped in glitter or want to opt for something a little more subtle, there are lots of amazing party options at Free People. One of the best party items I’ve ever bought is an emerald-green velvet blazer, and Free People has a beautiful double-breasted style in a rich green. I also love the classic black tuxedo jacket and the velvet mini dress with ruched detail across the front. I love the silver satin trouser...

It might be absolutely freezing, but the up side to plummeting temperatures is we get to wrap ourselves up in fabulous knitwear until the weather changes. Brits have long relied on M&S for its excellent knitwear selection, and this year it is better than ever, with plenty of beautiful jumpers and cardigans to choose from. M&S is known in particular for its cashmere crew-necks and rollnecks, and this year they’ve added some amazing colours to its classic arsenal, including bright tangerine, ombre styles and a vibrant pink. When it comes to classic knitwear styles, you really can’t beat a chunky cable-knit jumper at this time of year. We love the simple ivory version, but also how M&S has added some subtle styling tweaks, such as the use of buttons and fringe detailing....

After 18 months of only shopping online, I’ve come to the conclusion that a couple of hours browsing in your favourite shops, where you get to see and feel the material of a dress or jacket before making that all-important purchase, pays off. In fact, you’re more likely to pick up those extra-special affordable pieces, as they’re much easier to spot in the flesh. That said, shopping IRL can feel like an assault course at this time of year when the number of people largely increases as we shop for Christmas presents and endless deals and discounts entice customers into the stores. What makes it quicker and easier is knowing what to look out for. The British high street is one of the best in the world, but even I still get blown ...

Suddenly, it feels like winter. Gone are the days when I could quickly nip out of the house without a jacket or a considerable amount of knitwear, and it’s time my puffer coat was taken out of storage to be put back into work. It’s not technically “winter” until December 21, but many of us in the team are eagerly counting down the days until it’s appropriate to wear our Arket beanies once more. My boot collection has been finally unboxed again, ready for action. The tights are on, the layers are piling up, and I’m 100% here for it all. And while I’m not one to endlessly buy new items every time a season rolls around, I do enjoy looking at new-in winter items—a lot. It takes a great deal of research to find the best coat or ...

The only thing I look forward to more than Zara‘s big but brief Black Friday sale is what always comes right after it: a brand-new collection that rivals even the most drastic of discounts. And this year’s drop did not disappoint. Following the largest shopping day of the year, the Spanish fashion brand launched its long-awaited F/W 21 collection, and this year, it’s basically a treasure trove of party looks that are just waiting to be worn throughout our busiest party season yet.  From champagne-coloured suiting and sequin miniskirts to tuxedo-style capes and glitter-covered heels, Zara’s new collection contains a little something for every holiday mood—even one that calls for a pearl- and jewel-encrusted headpiece ...

As more brands have sales throughout the entire month, Black Friday now seems like Black November. But today is the official date everyone waits in anticipation for. While some of the best clothing deals have already kicked off, & Other Stories, H&M and Mango are just starting.  Fear not, though, as we’re only here to talk about the crème de la crème. You know, those premium-looking pieces that have an air of high end, but still keep the high street price tag. And seeing as these three brands have added discounts, you can get these gems for even less.  With H&M’s wool coats, Mango’s luxe leather boots and & Other Stories sequin dress that you won’t actually believe is from the high street, consider this your guide to sho...

New-in sections are now flooded with sequins and all things sparkly, as retailers are truly prepared for the return of the office party. If your December diary is quickly filling up and you’re looking for something extra special to wear over the festive period, there are four high-street brands, in particular, that are really excelling when it comes to party dressing. Below, you’ll find 16 knockout dresses, with beautiful tulle, metallics, statement silhouettes and bold prints. River Island just dropped its latest Studio collection, which includes an amazing navy satin dress with a fringed trim (perfect for dancing) and a beautiful pink sequin midi dress. AllSaints is one of our favourites for wow party dresses that are still relaxed enough to wear to the pub, as its two-in-one d...