The 50 Best affordable fashion
Want to look stylish this season without breaking the bank? Lee Holmes and Eliisa Makin share their suggestions for great-value wardrobe updates
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Your support makes all the difference.Women's tops:
reiss.com, £85
This super soft ice cream pink blouse is an easy way to update your wardrobe for the spring. It looks great layered to soften this season’s bright oranges, reds and pinks.
zara.com, £35.99
Fun yet chic, this graphic-print jumper from Zara looks great worn with blue jeans, layered under a cropped sleeve black jacket. It is also nice worn with a leather skirt or trousers.
allsaints.co.uk, £45
Simple, sexy and versatile, this elegant camisole top cleverly creates the illusion of a smaller waist with its subtle two-tone design. It looks great with a pencil skirt and leather jacket.
my-wardrobe.com, £80
This palm-tree print design works well worn over a long sleeve black T-shirt with black skinny jeans and ankle boots.
topshop.com, £36
There are a huge variety of brightly coloured, slouchy jumpers about this spring. However, this chunky orange version from Topshop is a particular favourite.
Men's tops:
Original Penguin is an American clothing label founded in the 1950s and still takes inspiration from that decade. This is a subtle take on the Hawaiian print.
mrporter.com, £90
This Copenhagen-based label has become an expert in designing relaxed shirts. The button-down collar on this creates a casual feel; wear with chinos and trainers.
Admittedly this isn’t the most colourful of T-shirts for the spring, but a black and white stripe pattern very rarely lets you down. Wear it with jeans for a casual weekend look.
boden.co.uk, £29.25
What better way to embrace the arrival of spring than with this bold orange sweatshirt from Boden. Wear over a T-shirt or faded chambray shirt for best results.
mrporter.com, £90
This flecked wool-blended sweater works well with almost anything. If the weather takes a turn for the worse, this is the perfect knit to use as your extra layer.
Women’s trousers & skirts:
warehouse.com, £50
Team these ankle-skimming skinny trousers with a slouchy silk T-shirt or jumper and stiletto heels for an effortlessly chic look. It looks particularly great with this season’s bright colours and pastel shades.
next.co.uk, £28
Animal-friendly and generally very realistic, faux leather is a great way to buy into this season’s leather trend. This sexy pencil skirt would look great with a colourful knit or buttoned up blouse.
marksandspencer.com, £29.50
The simple coloured A-line miniskirt worn with a white blouse or T-shirt and flat loafers is a great weekend uniform for women who prefer skirts to trousers. This bright red version is a bargain.
fenwick.co.uk, £99
It may not sound likely, but this metallic snake-print skirt is far easier to wear than you might imagine. The flattering pencil shape looks great worn with a baby blue or pale pink jumper.
zara.com, £22.99
If you are brave enough to wear hot pants, then you won’t find a finer pair than this printed floral silk design. They look lovely with a slouchy knit jumper and sandals for a relaxed holiday look.
Men’s trousers:
mango.com, £39.99
Aimed squarely at the gentleman who knows his fashion, this pair of slim fit chinos come in a snazzy blue colour. Wear with a white shirt for pared down sophistication.
asos.com, £25
It takes a brave man to wear the colour yellow, but if you’re that man you’ll love these chinos from Asos. The bright pop of colour is a welcome twist to a wardrobe basic.
topman.com, £30
Beige-coloured shorts have become a little too run-of-themill. The tiny palm print motif on these is a subtle reminder of warmer climes. Wear with a pastel coloured T-shirt.
debenhams.com, £28
Like it or not, the camo print is going to be a force to be reckoned with this year. There really is no escaping it. One of the easiest ways to wear this pattern is on shorts on holiday.
tedbaker.com, £79
A pink flamingo print isn’t going to be to everyone’s taste, but there’s no denying that they give this pair of shorts a certain flair. Wear with a crisp white shirt and loafers.
Women's coats:
The 1990s grunge look is a firm favourite on the high street this year. The ubiquitous slouchy green parka looks as good layered up with heels as with boots or trainers.
cosstores.com, £135
This is the perfect super-chic mid-season belted coat. It works well worn open over a little black dress on an evening out, or to smarten up a jumper and trouser combo for work.
monki.com, £30
The bomber jacket is back with a vengeance this year. This unusual, sheer version is easy to wear. Layer it over a white vest and slouchy pants for a feminine take on the look.
hm.com, £34.99
Jackets with leather (or in this case faux leather) sleeves are an easy way to freshen up your wardrobe. Worn open, this contrasting colour jacket will add edge to skinny jeans.
zara.com, £69.99
When it comes to good inexpensive tailoring, Zara is the high street’s best. This elegant blazer looks far pricier in the flesh and works well for smartening up skinny jeans.
Men's coats:
topman.com, £65
This isn’t just any old bomber jacket; it’s a Topman bomber jacket, so we’ve come to expect something with a little more punch. A jacket with a humming bird print definitely lifts this above the ordinary.
burton.co.uk, £70
The smart double-breasted blazer is having its moment in the spotlight again. This one from Burton can be worn with skinny jeans or chinos. Style with a bright-coloured pocket square for added flounce.
matalan.co.uk, £25
A denim jacket should be a staple of every wardrobe and you don’t have to break the bank on expensive brands. This washed denim version is perfect for wearing under another jacket, or on its own.
riverisland.com, £45
The bomber or baseball style jacket continues to dominate the market as the perfect summer outerwear. This grey and cream version from River Island has zipper pockets and an elasticated waist band.
cosstores.com, £150
Clean modern simple lines are exactly what we’ve come to expect from high street label Cos. This hooded jacket is just the thing if you get caught out by squally showers.
Women’s dresses:
zara.com, £45.99
I love this sunshine-yellow dress. Simple and elegant, the cape sleeves add a modern twist to the classic A-line style. Wear with slick hair, dark red lipstick and killer heels.
topshop.com, £120
Power florals are a big trend this summer. Try this silk strapless dress with chunky boots or white canvas trainers for a 90s look, or add a heeled sandal for smarter occasions.
monki.com, £45
This is a fun little silver dress with a Sixties sci-fi look about it. Wear it with strappy sandals and a peach or camel coloured coat for a youthful party outfit. Or mix it with other metallics!
riverisland.com, £35
This sporty dress from River Island has some risqué cutaway mesh panels which look great against skin, and just as good with a brightly-coloured tube dress worn underneath.
Thanks to the likes of Alexa Chung, and dungaree dresses are this year’s surprise hit. Look great worn over a white shirt or T-shirt with black loafers.
Men’s suits:
matalan.co.uk, £89
Three-piece suits are having a renaissance of sorts, with the waistcoat playing the starring role. It also helps to add shape to those of us with the less-than-perfect torso.
jigsaw.com, £340
With F Scott Fitzgerald’s anti-hero Jay Gatsby as your role model, you’ll need to dig out your pastel pink suit. Or give this suit from Jigsaw a try. Rolls-Royce optional.
reissonline.com, £450
The jacket has a single front button fastening and the trousers come unfinished so you can have them hemmed to your requirements. A classic that will last you for years.
sainsburys.co.uk, £55
Linen isn’t the easiest of materials to wear but if you’re on a budget and looking to ape the bohemian crumpled look this summer, this suit from TU should tick all the right boxes.
topman.com, £175
The colour of this camel suit is a great alternative to the usual black or grey. The trousers are also cut on the skinny side so can be worn separately with just a shirt and tie.
Women’s accessories:
qvcuk.com, £25
Gold hoop earrings are enjoying a renaissance. A quirky take on the classic, these thorny hoop earrings by Giles Deacon for QVC add a little rock ’n’ roll to any look.
thegap.co.uk, £34.95
Practical, chic and modern, this bag is the perfect way to carry a laptop in style. The elegant pop of colour makes it great for brightening a neutral outfit. The orange stitching is a nice attention to detail, too.
topshop.com, £20
Sharpen up your wardrobe with these slick sunglasses from JW Anderson’s collection for Topshop. A sophisticated dark olive green, they look more expensive than their modest price tag suggests.
topshop.com, £18
Topshop’s bold lime green wallet is guaranteed to cheer you up every time you splash out. A spacious design, you could also use it as a clutch bag on a night out. Works well worn with greys and nudes.
matchesfashion.com, £33
This season’s trend for strong monochrome patterns means there are some great, bold accessories around. Dress your iPhone to impress in this punchy printed jacket. Great alongside a neon clutch bag.
Men’s accessories:
marksandspencer.com, £35
This blue is a great reminder of sunny skies. In fact, with its easy leather strap fastenings, this is the perfect bag for holiday. Just the right size for beach towel and sunglasses.
This navy and orange stripe belt with brown leather trims has a definite Italian feel to it. Ideally, wear with cream chinos for a refined Mediterranean look.
burton.co.uk, £17
Rounder-framed sunglass are proving to be more popular shape frames for this year. This pair from Burton will add a soupçon of sophistication to your look this summer.
office.co.uk, £89.99
This brown pair of monk strap style shoes from Office are casual enough to wear with jeans. The brogue and fringe strap detailing is a nice extra touch too.
office.co.uk, £59.99
The retro style on these trainers make them suitable with jeans or to wear at the gym. The grey and black make them easy to match with whatever you are wearing.