A considered approach to buying clothes is always important, but never more so than when it comes to shopping the high street. 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.
Noteworthy arrivals
I am attending Glastonbury for the first time this year, so forgive me if I’m in full “gorpcore” mode right now. Thankfully, unlike many other TikTok trends, this outdoorsy aesthetic lends itself to practical wardrobe pieces that will actually stand the test of time. Take Uniqlo’s barn jacket, which can be found in the menswear department – a fashion editor favourite for basics – and offers just the right level of oversized (I’m wearing a small). Meanwhile, the purveyors of boho fashion at Free People have delivered the perfect easy breezy striped skirt. Just add biker boots and a white tank top.
Despite their ubiquity, jeans always seem to be the hardest thing to get right. Personally, I’ve always found that recommendations are one of the best ways to cut through the noise, so in the spirit of sharing, I have to tell you about Aligne’s turn-up jeans. Made from 100 per cent organic cotton, these true blues offer just the right level of slouch through the leg and hit the ground with a chic, raw-edge turn-up. The waistband, meanwhile, sits at a flattering point just above the hip bone. I’m roughly a size 10 and 5’7” and wearing a size 28 here, and would say they are true to size.
When it comes to shoes, I have very little tolerance for discomfort, which is why I silently rejoiced at the emergence of the “ugly chic” shoe trend. I’ve been wearing FitFlop’s (yes, you heard that right) Shuv leather clogs constantly over the last few months, and I can confirm they look just as good with midi-skirts as they do with denim. Speaking of fashion glow-ups, Net-a-Porter now stocks hiking specialists, The North Face, and the brand’s new-in twill pants will give your cargo pants a run for their money.
Shop last week’s edit