I'm a 50-Year-Old Fashion Expert—This Is What I Always Buy on the High Street

If there's anyone who knows what is worth investing in, it's Anna Cascarina. A fashion editor, lecturer and stylist with over 25 years of experience in the industry, she's made it her mission to help women of all ages and body shapes feel empowered through their wardrobes. Anna knows how important it is for clothes to work, and she's committed to investing in classic, timeless heroes that make you feel good. So when it comes to pieces to consider adding to our capsule wardrobes for 2024, who better to ask? This month, she shares what pieces she always buys from the high street as well as what she's got her eye on now and offers up some tips and tricks on how to style them throughout the year.

The British high street is, in my opinion, the best in the world. We have some incredible shops that cater to all styles and sizes, and most deliver high-quality pieces at really great prices regularly. My go-tos are Arket, COS, H&M, Other Stories and Mango, but there are countless more that I always find gems in. However, it has taken me a few years (or even decades) to know what brands work for me, what items are worth buying from the high street and what to avoid.

My top tip for buying from the high street is to look for high-quality materials. H&M, for example, has an amazing Premium selection which is a collection of pieces that focus on both material and fit. There's also M&S's Autograph, which is another example of style-led quality at accessible, affordable prices. You'll find fabric info either on the care label in-store or in the composition section on the brand's website. It might require a little bit of research, but it really is worth doing your homework before buying.

As much as I love our high street, there are some items that I tend to splurge more money on, and this includes shoes, bags, coats and jewellery. You can really dress up an outfit with a pair of incredible designer shoes or a luxury bag, so I feel it's worth investing as much as you feel comfortable in them. Plus, these items will last in your wardrobe for years, so the cost per wear comes right down.

As much as I like to splurge on some items, there are a lot of pieces I wouldn't spend a lot of money on, and this is when I turn to our great high-street stores. Read on to see what I love to buy from the high street as well as the pieces that have caught my eye recently…

1. JEANS

Style Notes: There are some incredible designer jeans out there, but I think the high street does denim so well. With jeans, it is always very much trial and error, as we all have such different body shapes. Many of my most-worn jeans are from the high street, and these ones from Arket are my new favourites. They are made with lovely non-stretch denim, which I feel is more flattering on my body shape, and they have the perfect wide leg that works with both flats and heels. I've been wearing them with a simple white T-shirt, a blazer and heeled boots for a chic look.

Shop my favourite jeans:

2. WIDE-LEG TROUSERS

Style Notes: These COS trousers are the best wide-leg trousers I've ever owned, and they're back in stock in all sizes. I love them so much that I've actually bought two pairs, as I'm so worried something will happen to them! The cut and fit are just perfect, and they are crafted from 100% traceable wool. As a size 16, I often struggle with finding trousers, but these suit all body shapes and are a classic to have in your wardrobe. Wear them with anything from a jumper and trainers at the weekend to a shirt and loafers at work. They're worth every single penny.

Shop my favourite trousers:

3. BASE LAYERS

Style Notes: Your basics like vests, T-shirts, long-sleeve tees and base layers can all be bought from the high street and are just as good as the designer equivalents. Uniqlo does the best base layers and thermal wear you can buy. My go-to for a white tee is always Arket or COS, as they do different weights so you can find the perfect one for you.

Shop my favourite base layers:

4. TRAINERS

Style Notes: Unlike other shoes, which are worth investing in, you really don't need to spend a fortune on trainers. The most stylish trainers are the classics from Adidas, Nike and New Balance, all of which are available in high-street stores. I've been alternating daily between my Adidas Sambas and my New Balance 990s. You also can't go wrong with a pair of simple white pumps. One of my favorite styles is from Muji, and they're only £30. Now you can't get better than that!

Shop my favourite trainers:

SHOP THE OTHER HIGH-STREET PIECES I'M LOVING RIGHT NOW:

I try to steer clear of obvious trends, as they tend to only last a season or two. But if you are loving a particular trend and want to give it a go, then buying from the high street is a much more cost-effective way to do it, and you can usually find a runway trend on the high street within a few weeks. Think about how a trend-led piece will work with your current wardrobe staples as well as how much joy it will bring you before you check out.

Anna's book 'The Forever Wardrobe: Find your style. Transform your clothes. Save time and money' is available now from Amazon and other retailers. Shop it here.

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