A considered approach to buying clothes is always important, but never more so than when it comes to shopping the best high-street buys. Which is why we’ve introduced Lunch Break Buys, a franchise that sees team Vogue select stand-out pieces every month, all of which we believe are worth your investment.
As someone whose wardrobe is an eclectic mix of vintage, high street and designer pieces, I have always emphasised the importance of considered shopping. This means always putting thought into what you spend your money on. So regardless of the brand or price tag, assessing whether it will stand the test of time, checking fabric composition and fit, and making sure that it will slot easily into your existing wardrobe. Do you actually love it, or are you just craving “newness” for the sake of it? Select well, and your wardrobe will reward you for it.
Sticking to this principle has meant some of the longest-standing pieces in my wardrobe are from the high street – a pair of Topshop tailored trousers here, a red Arket jumper there. I don’t get it right every time, but the older I get, the more picky I am about what I buy. This is why we wanted to create a franchise that brings you the crème de la crème of the high street, the pieces Vogue staffers have bookmarked and fallen in love with.
Ready? Scroll down to see and shop this month’s edit of high-street heroes.
Get your winter staples right this season with Everlane’s denim barn jacket and a pair of tailored trousers in a classic shade of cream. When it comes to versatile accessories, meanwhile, look to metallic Adidas sneakers and Cos’s roomy, hands-free holdall.
Channel your inner Almost Famous leading lady with Mango’s reversible shaggy coat, a pair of bootcut jeans and a knee-high heeled boot.
The corduroy trend shows no sign of slowing down, and J Crew’s khaki-coloured pair offer a fun alternative to shades of brown and beige. Meanwhile, Massimo Dutti’s animal-print loafer is a surefire way to inject personality into your basics.
Shop last week’s edit
Sometime you can’t go wrong with a bomber jacket and jeans, and Weekday’s padded style has the perfect proportions. Meanwhile, we recommend checking out Ebay for pre-loved denim – this week, we found the below embellished Christopher Kane pair, which are sure to sate the appetite of jazzy jean-lovers.
A good winter coat is never a bad investment, and & Other Stories’s wool maxi style is a classic silhouette that will stand the test of time. Speaking of timeless, Arket’s button-detail stripe knit will offer your winter wardrobe just the right amount of nautical appeal.
For day-to-night dressing, River Island’s shearling coat is sure to satisfy. With its voluminous proportions and shaggy texture, it’ll look just as good with jeans as it will with a midi-skirt and kitten-heels. Christmas party season, here we come!
Get your greens this November with Aligne’s Fern minidress, which will carry you from day (add loafers and Everlane’s crew-neck cardi) to night (swap in pointed kitten heels and vintage earrings). Elsewhere, Cos is, as always, delivering on the winter coat front, and the below oversized style is sure to last you many years to come.
Arket’s upcycled down coats have become ubiquitous for a reason, but if you missed out in previous years, be reassured that the brand re-releases them every year. Elsewhere, anyone looking for an alternative to their trusty wide-leg jeans might want to consider a pair of corduroy trousers in autumnal shades of brown or navy.
Everywhere we look this November we see parkas, whether it’s in classic longline form or in shorter, bomber-style iterations, as seen in the below Weekday style. Give it the high-low treatment with Mango’s lace midi-skirt and a pair of conker-brown riding boots.
This leather jacket is so good that it literally sold out as we were building this article – but it’s worth bookmarking in case it comes back in stock. Me+Em, meanwhile, have jumped on the horseshoe jeans trend this season, and we like how the brand’s interpretation falls to the ground rather than cropping at the ankle, which creates a more flattering silhouette.
Get cosy this November with Me+Em’s jacquard jumper, which will introduce just the right amount of festive cheer for those keen to kick off the holiday season early (just us?) Elsewhere, boat shoes are the “dad” trend making their presence felt in the wardrobes of fashion’s best dressed this year; they go with everything from denim to midi-skirts, and make a great alternative to your usual polished loafers.
Cos can always be relied on for a directional update on a wardrobe classic, and the below wool-blend trousers are the perfect example. Slip them on with a cardigan (enter & Other Stories’s cobalt number) and a ballet pump this November. Mango’s minidress, meanwhile, is asking to be styled with a polished riding boot and roll-neck for cooler days, but note that it will look just as good with a kitten heel for weekend cocktails.
