I Have Expensive Taste But a Tight Budget—32 High Street Buys I Approve Of

The high street is where I do the majority of my shopping, so I'm always excited when I'm given the opportunity to cherrypick the best of the best to share with you. Fast fashion can often be branded as "cheap", while others argue it encourages disposable shopping habits but I truly believe that, with a discerning eye and the utmost consideration, you can find pieces on the high street that you love, will go the distance in terms of quality, and will never date, all wrapped up on our Great British high street. 

best-high-street-items-2023-306592-1686184124726-main

(Image credit: COURTESY OF ANTHROPOLOGIE)

As such, below, I've honed an edit of what I consider to be the best high street items of 2023, all of which deliver in terms of timelessness. Casual yet polished, these are pieces I know I'll get the wear of, not just this year, but for many more to come. Whether you buy your clothes from H&M or The Row, this should ultimately be the deciding factor in any purchase you make and will guide you to making more sustainable shopping decisions, whatever your budget may be. 

From wear-anywhere dresses to elevated accessories and tailoring that looks much more premium than its price tag and shoes you'll reach for time and time again, scroll on to see this fashion editor's wish list of the best high street items of 2023. 

Shop the Best High Street Items of 2023 So Far

Next Up: The 9 Most Expensive-Looking Pieces on the High Street This Week

Maxine Eggenberger
Deputy Editor

Maxine Eggenberger is Who What Wear UK’s deputy editor and has over thirteen years of experience in fashion journalism. She been creating engaging and elevated style content specifically 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, leads the editorial team in their SEO strategy and keyword planning, works closely with the beauty team on content initiatives, represents the brand at industry events, and regularly contributes to social media, including her own Who What Wear UK TikTok franchise, French Style Fridays. Previously, Maxine appeared on ITV's This Morning 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 at Look magazine, she was offered a position on the brand's fashion desk. She accepted, leaving university a year early in the process. Her passion and natural talent for writing and styling meant she swiftly rose through the ranks to become the title's fashion news and commercial content editor, with a stint as InStyle.co.uk’s fashion and beauty writer along the way. She later served as Look’s acting Editor in Chief, overseeing both print and digital, before embarking on a successful freelance career, working with Grazia, The Pool, and Marie Claire amongst others.

Maxine is based remotely from her countryside home near Edinburgh where she spends her downtime renovating her house, walking her dogs, hosting friends and trying to master the art of making Old Fashioned cocktails.