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

Kickstart your layering game with autumn-ready shirting, denim and outerwear, courtesy of & Other Stories, Arket and Cos. Aspinal, meanwhile, has provided the perfect finishing touch in the form of its silver chain bracelet.

The preppy trend is here to stay, and Gant’s rugby shirt should be your first port of call – style with a pleated midi-skirt or slouchy jeans. A polished loafer, meanwhile, is the perfect “back-to-school” shoe.

Weekday has given the traditional chino a directional twist with its low-slung loose pair. We’ll be pairing with white T-shirts and sneakers now then cashmere knits and boots come winter. Elsewhere, M&S has dropped its own take on the sheer skirt trend, and it’s ideal for any upcoming cocktail ’dos.

Shop last week’s edit

There’s no need to put away your skirts for September. Pairing a midi or maxi skirt with a cosy knit and a pair of cotton socks makes for the easiest of transitional outfits. Our commerce contributor, Julia Storm, pairs her Peachy Den Deba skirt with a cashmere cardigan from Sézane and Adidas Country OG trainers.

The best thing about transitional dressing is that you can take pieces from both your summer and winter wardrobes and pair them together to create outfits that cater to that tricky in-between season. Julia wears her jorts with an Aligne shirt, Duke & Dexter loafers, and Falke socks.

Rugby tops are set to be this autumn’s It-item. Dress yours up with a statement skirt and boots, or wear them with everyday denim. Julia matches her M&S top with Levis jeans and Mary-Janes from Vagabond.

Earn your stripes with Cos’s cream and khaki wool top – a perfect counterpoint to Massimo Dutti’s tailored trousers. Elsewhere, M&S is investing in the cargo trend with its pocketed shoulder bag, which also comes in black and burgundy.

If you’re looking for a new skirt this season, make it a midi. Weekday’s black pleated style will do the job nicely. Cos’s leather-collar utility jacket, meanwhile, is causing a stir on social media this week with its The Row-like proportions.

The capri pant trend isn’t going anywhere, and Massimo Dutti’s sleek black pair will feel suitably polished with a ribbed top, kitten heels and silver jewellery.

Tackle the changeable weather with a tank top and tailored trousers pairing. We recommend a classic beige pair (see Massimo Dutti’s 100 per cent linen style) styled with a colour-pop top, such as & Other Stories’s vivid green vest. Accessory-wise, it’s all about silver, be it in sneaker form – hello Alohas’s Rife – or Cos’s eyelet-studded tote.

Carry the preppy vibe into August with Arket’s pleated miniskirt (so very Challengers) and a pinstripe shirt or crew-neck cardigan. Adidas’s LT sneakers will finish the look off nicely – simply swap-in biker boots come September.

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.