high-street

On a recent Zoom call, my friends and I found ourselves discussing our most recent purchases. With summer having officially kickstarted in June, it seems we’ve all indulged in a spot of new-season retail therapy for the season ahead. Now, it’s worth noting that all of my friends have different looks—some subscribe to the minimal aesthetic, while others are all about ruffles and frills. Me? I’m somewhere in the middle. But what I found most interesting was the fact that, with polar-opposite styles, every single one of my friends had bought fresh pieces from one brand in particular: Zara. How is it that Zara can create tiered, floral-print dresses with oversized, pounced collars, then produce the sleekest blazer-and-trouser set, and, somehow, they b...

If you’re suddenly finding yourself in need of a throw-on summer dress, we believe one of the best places to go is H&M for affordable but expensive-looking pieces. Whether you want something long and dramatic or mini with cut-outs, H&M has lots of beautiful casual dresses to choose from. The only thing to note about a good H&M dress is it tends to sell out pretty quickly, so we can’t guarantee that the 16 below will be around for long. There are several details that the brand is leaning into for summer 2021, including double spaghetti straps, oversized puff sleeves, open backs with criss-cross straps and smocked bodices. Keep scrolling to see our edit of the 20 H&M dresses we love.  You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are looking for Dates Onl...

This week’s heatwave caught me somewhat by surprise, and made me suddenly aware of the gaps in my summer wardrobe. I haven’t bought any hot weather clothing since my last holiday over two years ago, and so have spent the last 24 hours searching for easy-to-wear sundresses, linen separates and comfortable sandals. After a few hours of browsing new-in sections, it became clear that there are three high street brands that are really excelling when it comes to a hot weather capsule—Arket, Zara and COS. Whether you like your summer clothes to be loud and adventurous or simple and classic, there’s likely to be an item for you below. Zara caters to those who want summer clothing with heaps of personality, with hot pink satin dresses, and unusual silhouettes, while Arke...

If you’re suddenly finding yourself in need of a throw-on summer dress, we believe one of the best places to go is H&M for affordable but expensive-looking pieces. Whether you want something long and dramatic or mini with cut-outs, H&M has lots of beautiful casual dresses to choose from. The only thing to note about a good H&M dress is it tends to sell out pretty quickly, so we can’t guarantee that the 16 below will be around for long. There are several details that the brand is leaning into for summer 2021, including double spaghetti straps, oversized puff sleeves, open backs with criss-cross straps and smocked bodices. Keep scrolling to see our edit of the 16 H&M dresses we love.  You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are looking for Dates Onl...

With a pandemic keeping us homebound coupled with a pregnancy and postpartum period that was rife with changes (both of the physical and mental kind), Zara’s not the only shopping destination I took a hiatus from over the past year. It is, however, the one I probably missed the most. That’s why when I recently took a deep dive back into the brand’s site—just in time for summer, I might add—I was overwhelmed but also elated by all the amazing options. I loved a lot, but since I can’t possibly buy all 48 items on my current wish list (not even counting matching sets as two), I figured I might as well share them so that others out there can benefit from all the time I just put into this venture. To see and shop all one million of my finds, broken down into categor...

With a pandemic keeping us homebound coupled with a pregnancy and postpartum period that was rife with changes (both of the physical and mental kind), Zara’s not the only shopping destination I took a hiatus from over the past year. It is, however, the one I probably missed the most. That’s why when I recently took a deep dive back into the brand’s site—just in time for summer, I might add—I was overwhelmed but also elated by all the amazing options. I loved a lot, but since I can’t possibly buy all 48 items on my current wish list (not even counting matching sets as two), I figured I might as well share them so that others out there can benefit from all the time I just put into this venture. To see and shop all one million of my finds, broken down into categor...

If you’re suddenly finding yourself in need of a throw-on summer dress, we find one of the best places to go is H&M for affordable, but expensive-looking summer dresses. Whether you want something long and dramatic, or mini with cut-outs, H&M has lots of beautiful casual summer dresses to choose from. The only thing to note about a good H&M dress is it tends to sell out pretty quickly, so we can’t guarantee that the 16 below will be around for long. There are several details that the brand is leaning into for summer 2021, including double spaghetti straps, oversized puff sleeves, open backs with criss-cross straps and smocked bodices. Keep scrolling to see our edit of the 16 H&M dresses we love.  You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are looking for Dates...

If you know me, you know I am pretty Zara-obsessed, but that doesn’t mean I’m obsessed with everything that the retailer stocks. In fact, when it comes to the items I actually end up buying and wearing, I am very picky with my selection. Luckily, I am the kind of shopper who is always down for a good treasure hunt, and I am here to share with you my latest findings from the large selection of summer pieces at Zara.  Below you will see my carefully curated list of the items I am loving now. As a picky shopper, I can assure you I toggled between dozens of open tabs before landing on the assortment below. From fun footwear to trendy pieces that somehow look insanely expensive, I have a feeling you’ll be leaving here with full carts and a new level of exci...

Black trousers aren’t really the kind of item you get excited about, or so I thought until I bought this pair of drawstring pleated trousers from & Other Stories. They are quite simply the best thing I’ve bought in 2021 and probably 2020, too. They are made from a lightweight fabric with a plissé finish and have a high-waisted drawstring waist and a wide-leg flare, which means the trousers fall in a really relaxed way over your hips and aren’t too clingy. They are also extremely long, but I have chosen not to have them taken up, as I enjoy the dramatic swooshing of the trousers over flip-flops or sandals. They are the comfiest item of clothing I own but look smart thanks to the pleated fabric and the cut. They also go with almost any shirt, jumper or ja...

Is Gigi Hadid an ardent Who What Wear follower? I ask because it was only the other day that we were extolling the fashion virtues of Mango’s many brilliant crochet pieces, highlighting that they are some of the strongest on the high street for this topline summer trend. We know that celebrities aren’t immune to the charms of a well-chosen affordable item, despite owning closets full of designer garms. But those high street pieces have to work hard to stand up to the luxury good these A-listers are used to, and the detail, design and finish on this £36 crochet polo shirt manages to do just that.  Stepping out in New York a few days ago, Gigi’s low-key outfit looked like the very epitome of relaxed warm-weather dressing. From her slouchy-yet-tailored mustard...

There are so many great finds on the market right now, so if you’re looking for amazing pieces for the summer ahead, I’ve uncovered some epic items from Zara, H&M, and Mango that you won’t want to miss. The affordable finds tap into all of the coolest trends, with everything from of-the-moment pieces to fresh spins on cool basics. Ahead, shop the 42 best new arrivals at Zara, H&M, and Mango. From the coolest interpretations of the bubblegum-pink color trend to the swimsuits I can’t get enough of to the cool-girl basic that will define summer style, these are the affordable finds I want you to know about now. These are destined to be big hits, so I would recommend adding them to your cart before they land on the sellout list. You Deserve to Make Money Even Wh...

As a fashion editor, I always get questions about the secret to a well-assembled wardrobe, to which I have the same answer: versatility. Ideally, your wardrobe should include some premium pieces mixed among more affordable items, with a dose of vintage and second-hand for good sartorial measure. It’s this eclectic mix of brands and price points that will ensure your clothing reflects your personality. As the saying goes, variety is the spice of life—and, naturally, you want your outfits to be spicy, too. That said, I understand the appeal of snapping up an entirely new outfit from just one store. First, it’s an effective use of your time, as it doesn’t involve having to traipse around every shop or browse every new-in section. Chances are it’ll a...