Spotting the recurring themes in high street pieces that achieve the illusive ‘expensive-looking‘ status is a favourite pastime of mine (niche, but useful for my job). What strange alchemy has to occur to ensure that something affordable appears high-end? I wonder. What shapes, colours and fits have to combine to create an item that rivals big name designers? Well, as you can imagine, the answer isn’t straight forward. It’s almost impossible to apply a universal rule that stands forevermore, however each season there tends to be particular motifs, be it a silhouette or fabric, that particularly stand out to me. This season? It has to be pleated fabric.
