How I shop the High Street

Starting with M&S

Greetings from the overspill of the weekend that meant I finished ‘Rivals’ on Disney+! I loved every bonking minute of it. Everything I wanted from switch off television: a brilliant soundtrack, witty banter and the most ridiculously riveting characters I’ve seen in a while (I do the £4.99 version with Ads, keep meaning to cancel once I’ve finished ‘Only Murders In The Building’ but what with those painful weekly episode drops it never happens - but ‘Rivals’ just made it worth it). My mum used to read Jilly Cooper books in the 80s/90s and my summer holiday memories are filled with well thumbed pages of those book covers - red heels, hand on bums, jodhpurs - sprawled on sun loungers around the hotel pool and now I get the hype.

This week is also half term for us, so the usual juggle of work and kids at home (our youngest is not old enough for clubs yet so we’re winging it for a while) plus hosting a mini halloween party in the middle (my idea!?) and planning for Cato’s 4th birthday party this weekend (also my idea!). It’ll be fiiiine! Presents are sorted (4 year olds, and thankfully my kids, are v easily pleased): we hit up Aldi’s wooden toy bonanza and got him the bricklayer’s belt (being a builder is his latest obsession), got some lego from Vinted and earmuffs from Rockahula (he’s so jealous of his sister’s). Much to Chris’s delight, he will not be the entertainer this time (as has previously been the case) but there is still so much to make/plan/organise (plus only 6 parents out of 30 have RSVPd - do we assume they’re not coming or plan for showing up?!). As you can see, I’m totally relaxed about it all.

Anyway down to this week’s actual newsletter, which is something I feel far more confident about: How I shop the High Street!

I popped into M&S Brent Cross last week and remembered how much I love going into stores. I rarely do it but having the option to try clothes on in real-time does mean you’re more ruthless with decision making (well it does for me, anyway).

Wearing an M&S skirt with an old Bella Freud jumper and Topshop Unique heels in 2014.

Marks & Spencer has always been a store I’ve ventured into throughout my career, from my magazine days as a Shopping Editor to being one of the first Influencers they worked with around 9 years ago. But it has also always been a shop I’ve shopped in myself, I’ve found the clothing to be reasonably priced for decent quality with ethics. I also love that it is multigenerational (my nan, mum, myself and my kids have all worn their clothes) which is such a tall ask but also what I love about it. Weirdly I am always intimidated by the food section (but that’s another story in itself). And just so you know: I am not currently working with M&S in any way. I will add affiliate links to items I recommend (but with no pressure to buy).

Anyone remember this stars and moon dress that broke the internet?! The Daily Mail featured my post and it had a barrage of hateful comments, of course!

I definitely used to shop with more of a trend-led approach in my 20s and 30s but since thinking more about my personal style (article below) I now look at pieces through a different lens. I look for items that will last - I don’t have time to rebuy my wardrobe every 6 months and neither do I want to - garments that have a stylish flair but won’t be the piece that everyone disregards in a few months time for the updated version.

So here we go! M&S in all its non filtered, unphotogenic phone snaps glory (side note that I wasn’t expecting to film inside M&S on this day, I was just walking around and had lots of thoughts and then by the end of my visit decided to compile said thoughts here, so apologies if it feels a bit ad hoc!).

Immediate thoughts as I enter the store: there’s a lot of sequins.

This surprises me, because I have made a real conscious effort not to wear new sequins due to being made from microplastics and their inability to be fully recycled (a BBC article explaining it here). Even recycled sequins aren’t really the answer because by turning the plastic into tiny pieces of unrecyclable plastic, their lifespan is reduced even further. Of course, most people own sequins and look after their clothes, I’m just surprised so many big stores are pushing and selling so much. I just did a quick search on their site and they have 535 sequin items.

If you’re after sequins, I’d look secondhand (I just got my daughter a gorgeous gold sequin skirt on Vinted).

COATS

I found it strange that there were very limited winter coat options in the store I looked at: plenty of short coats, some puffers and rainwear but no well-cut long coats (which I have rated in the past). M&S are always a good pricepoint for coats so it feels a shame their offering is not as substantial.

KNITWEAR

Lots to choose from, my advice is to always go with classic shapes in natural fabrics. Their 100% cashmere jumpers (I have this one), although pricier, will always last well in your wardrobe (I would size up so it has more slouch and you can layer it easily). Try and stay away from knitwear with too many things going on, as tempting as it is because they look cool in store, or on Sienna Miller, or on social media as THE dupe. This knitted vest for example: it’s lovely but it’s also ribbed, striped, scalloped edged and has buttons - if it had two of those things it would go with more but all these details mean it has its limitations on what it would work with in your wardrobe.

The same with the jumper, I’ve had a plain cream cable knit jumper in my wardrobe for years. It is routinely well worn and the reason is its simplicity. The fringing on this takes the look to a different level but chances are, next year you’ll still be looking for a classic cable knit jumper.

I really liked this cardigan (£29.50) but the fabric composition didn’t include any natural fibres (57% polyester, 34% acrylic, 9% polyamide) and decided it didn’t do anything for my wardrobe that I need right now.

But I did like the horseshoe jeans, a shape I know works for me as I love my Everlane way high curve jeans and have been after some in black denim - these are a good affordable alternative (£39.50). I tried in a long length but would go for regular if I were to buy (I am 5 foot 7).

DRESSES

Lots of Rixo-esque eveningwear. Thought I’d love the green checkerboard dress (which comes in leopard too) but bias cut never works for me (lots of excess gaps in the fabric that I’m not sure are supposed to be there).

The polka dot dress was cute but it was a bit ‘meh’ on, if it’s just for one event then I would perhaps look to rent a Rixo dress instead.

ACCESSORIES

There were lots of socks, a few good glitter styles and even in the multipack there were decent colours (I often find you get at least one dud in a multipack) - these are items that are usually better to pick up in store, it was really hard to find these online.

Something I would never buy though, simply because I know I never wear, are coloured tights (and there were loads!). I have just never been on board with this trend (and it has tried to get me a fair few times) and I think it’s good to know your fashion boundaries. Even if it looks good on the model, I don’t even let myself look.

SHOES

I do appreciate Marks & Spencer’s shoes though, they’re often leather, often comfy (that insolia technology) and almost always offer a wide fit.

Again, I would steer clear from too many details - the jewelled mesh flats? I honestly believe they’ll all be on Vinted next year, everyone looking for the new it shoe instead. You’d be much better off looking at a simple, plainer ballet flat or Mary-Jane. I am also slightly against the labelling of plastic shoes as VEGAN as a rebranding opportunity.

I liked the detailing on these chocolate loafers and appreciate their offering of heels you could potentially walk in - I am always a fan of a small, block heel and this almond/round toe style is sticking around (longer than the mesh ballet pump, in my opinion).

So I did try the PVC brown leather joggers just to see if I could be persuaded because they were buttery soft (I had to check they weren’t leather!). But alas, the brown was not my colour and from the side they clung into every last bump and pant line. I then remembered trying to take my (M&S!) leather trousers to the dry cleaners when I was in my 20s and they just shook their head and told me to use saddle soap on them. YOU CANNOT WASH THEM. But these ones did actually have a 30 degree symbol which is at least a good sign?

And then a few final thoughts:

Tie front jeans - these tie front jeans have sold out online and they only had a few left but I thought they looked great. The trick is they’re simple enough to last a while but just enough of a detail to make them look less generic High Street.

Leopard jeans - I honestly think we’ll all be bored of them if we’re not already (sorry, I did not know this would happen when I bought mine!).

Corduroy dress - A great fabric for layering polonecks under but also useful Autumn dress for now (might work as office appropriate too?).

To recap:

Look for natural fabrics and fibres.

It may be on trend but is it too on the nose? Avoid items with too many ‘now’ details that you might not be into in a few years time.

Don’t be tempted by items you wouldn’t wear normally or aren’t your style - you know your style best!

Buy comfy shoes and invest in walkable heels.

Look secondhand for less sustainable items like sequins if possible.

And here’s my M&S Bella Freud purchase which I know I’ll be wearing for years to come (wool and cashmere mix), the bag is an M&S one from around 9 years ago too!

Be warned: gift guides are starting next week!