Most of us are, by now, wearily resigned to the fact that we are living amidst a cost of living crisis, reminded daily as we are on the news, in our bank balances and at the checkouts. If, however, you want to pep yourself up without denting the already hard-hit finances too much, the high street is the place, with its bountiful goodies that all come in under £50. These are the ones that we would like to get our hands on most of all right now.

Cos


Long-Sleeved Mock-Neck T-Shirt, £35
LONG-SLEEVED MOCK-NECK T-SHIRT

There is no beating a good old stripe, and we love this one in fresh green and white with its mock neck detail and contrast collar. Wear it with everything from jeans to pencil skirts to PJ bottoms on cool nights.


H&M


90s Baggy High Jeans, £24.99
90s Baggy High Jeans

The 90s revival has been in full swing all year and we couldn’t love it more, taking us back to the heady days of our adolescence. We’d have loved this pair of five-pocketed jeans then and we love them now. The perfect high-waist, loose-fit combo.


M&S X White Stuff


Jersey Printed Midi Tea Dress, NOW £39
Jersey Printed Midi Tea Dress

Soft, slouchy and sublimely comfy, we love this mid-length number that will work now with knits and boots and all the way through to late spring, when it can be worn with bare arms and white plimsolls.


Uniqlo


Heattech Lined Padded Scarf, £19.90
HEATTECH LINED PADDED SCARF

Another item on our wish list, another throwback to the nineties. We love this duvet scarf for its sheer comfort and the illusion it gives us of still being in bed – and who can resist that as the days get shorter and the nights longer?


Zara


Faux Fur Vest, £49.99
FAUX FUR VEST

Cosy and snug, throw this over almost anything and you will achieve instant winter luxe.


Mango


Round Neck Sweater, £35.99
Round Neck Sweater

Every winter we search and search for the perfect basic jumper, and this year, we can smugly announce that we have found it: softening charcoal grey, an excellent neckline and the perfect length. It’ll go with everything and we love it.


Anthropologie


Chunky Resin Hoop Earrings, £38
Chunky Resin Hoop Earrings

We love a good resin earring, and this pair instantly peps up a simple outfit with a pleasing pop of bright red. Ideal for when you want to add just a little glam and colour to even the slouchiest of denim days.

Zara


Flat Chelsea Boots With Track Soles, £49.99
FLAT CHELSEA BOOTS WITH TRACK SOLES

Chunky soled Chelsea boots: what better thing to stomp stylishly through snow or indeed whichever other wild whims the weather throws our way?


M&S X Finery London


Denim Collared Blouson Sleeve Shirt, £39
Denim Collared Blouson Sleeve Shirt

We love the gathered sleeves that lift this casual denim shirt to something much more special. The perfect thing to wear with a white vest underneath and tucked into a long denim skirt for a double denim look.


Toast


Ribbed Wool Fingerless Mittens, £45
Ribbed Wool Fingerless Mittens

There is something about fingerless gloves that whisks us back to childhood. More fun normal gloves and so practical, we love this ultra-cosy pair from Toast.


& Other Stories


Slim '90s Style Pencil Skirt, £45
Slim

This nineties-style pencil skirt is perfect in its simplicity, and ideal for wearing with just about anything: knits or crisp oversized shirts, plimsolls or sturdy boots. Exactly the sort of staple that every wardrobe needs.


Monki


Chunky Knit Cardigan, £39.99
Chunky Knit Cardigan

Tis the season of the woolly cardigan, and we love this one in arresting orange and white: exactly the thing for enlivening simple staple dresses, wintry skirts or relaxed jeans.

By Nancy Alsop
October 2023