The Affordable Fashion Buys That Come Vogue-Approved

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

• The rope necklace: Anni Lu Spiral On A String 18kt Gold-Plated Satin Necklace, £65
• The stripe top: Mango Stripes Printed Trousers, £30
• The kitten heels: Cos Pointed Mesh Kitten Heels, £135
• The white tank: Arket Racer Tank Top, £17

Embrace summer black this July with Reformation’s asymmetrical top and Cos’s ankle-skimming bubble skirt. Complete the look with Me+Em’s mood-boosting striped bag and the sandal of the summer: the Havaiana flip-flop.

Give the gorpcore trend a warm-weather spin with H&M’s hiking trousers and Zara’s cord-handle shoulder bag – a perfect pairing for Arket’s striped oversized T-shirt.

Forget Daisy Dukes: it’s all about the longline “jort” (aka jean-shorts) this season. Fashion assistant, Charlotte Rutter, has opted for Citizens For Humanity’s Ayla short styled with Talia Byre’s lime-green stripe top, Hereu’s Mary-Jane flat and Ancient Greek Sandals’s Hipissa tote bag.

For anyone with a holiday coming up, allow us to point you in the direction of Mango’s striped co-ord, which fashion assistant, Lois Adeoshun, has put her stamp of approval on. With its lace-up fastening and wide-leg silhouette, it’s the sort of outfit that will look just as good with sneakers as it will with heeled sandals.

The ’90s capri pant has made a comeback this summer, and Charlotte swears by & Other Stories’s slim-fit black style, which looks suitably minimalist with a simple white tank top. Finish off the look with Anni Lu’s pop-of-red cord necklace and Cos’s mesh pointed kitten-heels. Easy summer polish, here we come.

Shop last week’s edit

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.

It’s official: the rugby shirt is the “basic” top to note for 2024, and Mango’s green and blue iteration has a satisfying slouch. While the Noughties denim skirt is having some downtime this season, I’ve found that smarter, more tailored iterations have caught my attention, such as Aligne’s Mary pleated midi. I also have to give a shout out to Rokit Originals – the vintage store’s in-house line of upcycled pieces are all one-of-a-kind and purse-friendly, too.

Utility is seeing just as much popularity this season as the elevated sportswear look, and Cos’s scarf detail trench coat offers an elegant twist on a functional staple. Similarly, Whistles’s cargos come in a chic shade of brown – a fun alternative to the khakis and beiges proliferating in the trouser space right now. Finally, at the other end of the spectrum is & Other Stories’s crochet midi-dress, which will look great with chunky biker boots now then Birkenstocks come summer.

While there were plenty of tailored shorts on the spring/summer 2024 runways, the sporty shell short is also enjoying some airtime for 2024. Comfortable and stylish, Adidas X Wales Bonner’s logo-embroidered pair will fit the bill nicely with a navy crew-neck jumper and loafers. Meanwhile, everyone’s favourite 2010s sneakers, Puma’s Speedcats, have been spotted on a variety of celebs this spring and may be set to takeover from the ubiquitous Adidas Samba. Watch this space.

Track jackets are the latest piece to enjoy a moment in the sun via the elevated sportswear revival, with even the most minimalist brands – case in point: Arket – offering up their own iterations. I recommended pairing yours with tailored trousers or a utility cargo skirt, such as M&S’s khaki-coloured style, and slip-on loafers.

Marques’Almeida made its grand return to London Fashion Week this season and the fashion crowd couldn’t get enough. Well, it just so happens that this month the brand has also partnered with Everlane on a lust-worthy 18-piece capsule. The collection’s mesh cardigan, which would make a feel-good addition to a pair of wide-leg jeans, has shot to the top of our wish list.