The Classic High-Street Items That Deserve a Place in Your Forever Wardrobe
There's a misconception that you can't find classic wardrobe items on the high street—that the pieces are too trend-led and their appeal will fade when new sartorial movements come into play. However, we're here to prove otherwise.
All of our favourite high-street brands are known for getting specific things right, whether that's an entire product category, such as COS's trousers, or a particular item, for example, & Other Stories' wool-blend blazer. These are the items that are either available all year round or re-released every season, and it's no coincidence that they're also the brands' bestsellers.
To save you time and help you identify these high street items that are genuinely worth investing in we've rounded up all the most expensive-looking pieces that tick the 'classic' box as well. And the list you'll find below also happens to be perfect for helping you build out year-round capsule wardrobes. You're welcome!
1. & OTHER STORIES STRIPED JUMPERS
Style Notes: Many high street destinations do striped knits, but none compare with & Other Stories' elite selection in our opinion.
Shop & Other Stories Striped Jumpers:
This style will carry you through winter, spring, summer and autumn.
2. ARKET BLAZERS
Style Notes: There are only a few high street items with good enough quality and longevity for me to recommend buying them even if you had an unlimited budget—but I would choose ARKET's blazers over any other brand every time.
Shop Arket Blazers:
Looking to take your blazer looks further? Why not add pinstripes into the mix.
3. COS TROUSERS
Style Notes: Fashion people everywhere have been wearing COS trousers on repeat for years. The quality and fit is impeccable.
Shop COS Trousers:
4. ARKET CREW-NECK T-SHIRT
Style Notes: Our editors have proclaimed this Arket T-shirt the perfect style. Need we say more?
Shop Arket Crew Neck T-Shirt:
The cut and 100% cotton composition make this a really good choice.
5. MANGO WOOL COATS
Style Notes: Celebs, influencers and editors everywhere know the best place to turn to for expensive-looking wool coats on the high street is Mango.
Shop Mango Wool Coats:
6. M&S CASHMERE
Style Notes: I've tried so many different brands for cashmere, from uber-luxury to the high street's offering, and M&S are the styles that have lasted in my wardrobe the longest.
Shop M&S Cashmere:
M&S's beloved cashmere comes in every shade of the rainbow.
A soft layering piece you'll rely on on cooler days all year round.
If you told me this was three times the price, I'd believe you.
7. ARKET JEANS
Style Notes: Straight, flared, wide and more, Arket takes jeans seriously with a style to suit all preferences. What's more, the styles come in a range of colours and washes so you're sure to find a pair to treasure forever.
Shop Arket Jeans:
8. WHISTLES LEATHER
Style Notes: Although their pieces are still an investment, if you're looking for real leather wardrobe items that will last forever thanks to their classic design and luxury quality, we'd always recommend making your way to Whistles.
Shop Whistles Leather:
9. COS HANDBAGS
Style Notes: Some high-street brands are guilty of taking their accessories a step too far, be it with oversized zips or unnecessary branding. COS, however, opts for the pared-back approach, making its arm candy the most expensive-looking out there.
Shop COS Bags:
10. M&S SHOES
Style Notes: As fashion editors we take shoes very seriously. If you're looking for comfort, style, quality and excellent value—you can't beat M&S.
Shop M&S Shoes:
It's hard to find a pair of leather boots this classic for under £100.
11. ARKET PUFFER COATS
Style Notes: While puffer jackets have proven popular across the high street, it goes without saying that Arket's puffer coat collection is the chicest of them all.
Shop Arket Puffer Coats:
For the chilliest days, a long puffer coat will keep the majority of your body warm.
12. H&M KNIT DRESSES
Style Notes: There's so many classics sold at H&M, but it's their knitted dresses we come back to year after year as being the best, with the most inclusive sizing too.
Shop H&M Knit Dresses:
This post was originally published at an earlier time and has since been updated.
Maxine Eggenberger is Who What Wear UK’s deputy editor and has over twelve years of experience in fashion journalism. She been creating engaging and elevated style content for Who What Wear UK since 2018, covering runway reports, emerging trends, long-form features, self-styled shopping stories, and columns, including her edit of the best new-in buys. She ensures the highest editorial standards are met across the site, works closely with influencer talent on content initiatives, represents the brand at industry events, and regularly contributes to social media. Previously, Maxine appeared on TV in her own fashion segment and has interviewed countless celebrities—everyone from Victoria Beckham to Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o.
Prior to Who What Wear UK, Maxine’s career began when, after completing her first-ever internship, she was offered a position on the Look magazine fashion desk. She accepted, leaving university a year early in the process. She went on to become the title's fashion news and commercial content editor, with a stint as InStyle.co.uk’s fashion writer along the way. She later served as Look’s acting Editor in Chief before embarking on a successful freelance career, working with Grazia, The Pool, and Marie Claire amongst others. Maxine works remotely from her countryside home near Edinburgh.
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