It’s a cruel twist of fate that working in fashion means you have regular close encounters with some of the most luxurious clothes and accessories out there. I say cruel lightly, since that’s clearly one of the perks of the job. But the reality is that the industry’s salaries don’t always align with these high-end wardrobes we end up dreaming of. What I’m trying to say is, being exposed to the beauty of designer collections for so long (I’ve been in the industry ten years now) has given me rather expensive taste. And while my experience has also taught me what is and isn’t worth investing in, like with a lot of us these days, that expensive taste often goes hand in hand with a tight wardrobe budget.
I’m a minimalist at heart, so my dream wish list is usually full of simple, elegant and timeless pieces that reflect a quiet luxury—A The Row cashmere knit or a Max Mara camel coat would be on my fashion bucket list, for example. Yes, sometimes I will save up for the odd worthy Totême buy or Loewe handbag to elevate the rest of my outfits. For my day to day wardrobe, however, I’ve gotten really good at finding equivalent, more affordable buys. You can take my weekly column on the most expensive-looking high street buys as proof.
Over the years, I’ve started to notice some recurring trends and design details from my favourite luxury labels on the high street. And since I’m here to impart my top tips on how to shop designer pieces for less, I thought it was about time I shared my insights with you. For example—if it’s a cult Totême knit that’s out of my budget, I know to look to H&M’s premium collection for something with the same vibe; if it’s a pair of wide-leg trousers from The Row, I’ll turn to COS; or for chic coats or on-trend denim I’ll check Arket in place of Raey. Of course, my pairings are up for debate and sometimes change with the seasons, but it’s a place to start when looking for affordable alternatives to my favourite designers.
Keep scrolling to see the specific high street brands I look to when I want to shop designer items for less…
Up next: The 9 Most Expensive-Looking Pieces on the High Street This Week
