WHY I LOVE MIXING DESIGNER & HIGH STREET FASHION
With age my style has evolved and so have my favourite places to shop for clothes. Also, as my career has progressed – from working every Saturday in my teens, to a university degree and now a full time career in marketing and running Lurchhoundloves – my disposable income has increased, which means the designers I browse through online has gradually changed. But, throughout the last 15 years one thing remains the same: I still love the high street.
When I Buy Designer
The majority of the designer items in my wardrobe are handbags, shoes and accessories – you have all seen my Gucci belt (too many times probably). Personally, I like to spend more money on classic wardrobe staples that will last for many years and are items I get a lot of use from – I mean you wear shoes and use a handbag every day! I often find that there is a noticeable difference between the quality of high street handbags and designer handbags too.
Designer Staples Elevate A High Street Outfit
I could be wearing a whole outfit from Primark and by mixing with designer footwear, or a handbag, it can completely elevate my look making it more refined and seem more expensive. Take for example, this Boohoo Co-ord that I wore in my holiday outfit lookbook here with a YSL handbag and Isabel Marant Sandals (which I got in the sales). The co-ord was only £25 and a few people have asked me if it is designer and then can’t believe the price when I tell them!
Shop My Favourite Designer Investments
Why I Go High End on Footwear
When it comes to shoes, as I have big feet (size 8’s that seem to be evolving into size 9 shoes on the high street?!) I find that I have to sometimes splurge on designer shoes for comfort and fit. Most of the time I try to buy them in the sales, with the exception of my Gucci Loafers – which have been the best purchase ever – and my Balenciaga Race Runners that are again another great purchase of mine.
P.S I waited months for my Balenciaga race runners to be available in my size. At the time of writing this post they have come back in stock in all sizes here and other colours: YAY!. So if you are after a pair I would recommend buying whilst available, I am tempted to get another pair myself.
SHOP BALENCIAGA RACE RUNNERS
When I Buy High Street
For me, the high street reigns supreme 90% of the time. There are so many amazing places to shop these days, my favourites being Zara, Mango, Topshop, ASOS, to name a few. Including very affordable clothing at Primark and online shops such as Missguided and Boohoo, where you can shop the latest trends and get good value for your money on most items.
As trends come and go the high street is my favourite place to shop for ‘trend’ pieces. For example, take this Chicwish bright pink skirt. I am loving experimenting with bright colours at the moment, but by the end of Summer I could have gone back to my monochromatic ways and this bright pink beauty may not see the light of day for another 12 months.
High End High Street
I also love to shop at ‘high-end’ high street shops such as Reiss, All Saints, Whistles that are in-between the high street and designers. As they offer great quality wardrobe staples such as leather jackets, trousers, blazers and skirts that will generally last longer than the cheaper equivalent from fast fashion outlets, but don’t have a hefty price tag that some designers do.
For example, a Whistle’s leather jacket may set you back £300, but compared to an Acne leather jacket for £1500 you are getting designer quality for a more attainable price.
Shop My Favourite High Street ‘High End’ Pieces
High Street Or Designer Fashion?
How do you like to shop for your clothes? Do you also love mixing high end with high street pieces, or do you prefer one to the other?
To get to know my personal style a bit better and how and where I like to shop for my wardrobe, watch my fashion tag video here or below. Don’t forget to click here to subscribe to my YouTube channel for weekly fashion videos if you aren’t already!
I AM WEARING
Skirt c/o Chicwish
Shirt c/o Chicwish (DIY: I cut out the black vest layer)
Balenciaga Race Runners – Back in stock in all sizes & more colours!
I pretty much always buy my clothes on the high street and pair them with high-end or designer accessories. I do find it’s nice to invest in some clothing though like coats and jumpers, which can be worn again and again, so will be a good investment. Like you, I love to mix and match x
Jenny | LuxeStyle
Author
Yes, completely on my wave length Jenny 🙂 It is also nice to give yourself a little wardrobe treat every now and then! xx
absolutely love the skirt!
Vivian | LIVE . IN . LOVE
IG | @viviyunn_
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Author
Thanks Vivian 🙂 xx
Yes mixing high street and designer it’s the way to go! Btw love the skirt
http://www.luxurysmoland.com/
Author
Makes any outfit look more expensive, even if it was only £10! Accessories also last a lifetime, xx
Seriously obsessing over this look girl – that pop of pink is amazing! x
http://www.stylepetal.co.uk
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Thanks so much gorgeous xxx
Loooove this combo – you are killing it! Loving the bright pink, looks amazing on you and I’m definitely feeling like experimenting with brighter colours too at the moment. I’m all about the high street but am gradually hoping to add a few classic and key high end items to wear time and time again to lift some of the high street outfits in my wardrobe to something a bit more special! Plus when you get yourself a special item that you’ve had to consider purchasing for longer it just feels good 🙂 Sophie xxx
http://www.sopharsogood.com
Author
Thanks Babe 🙂 Yes, I am totally with you on that one! Next for me is a leather jacket and then I feel my high end wardrobe staples will be complete – oh and Chloe boots I have my eye on. Just because lol xx
LOVEEE this outfit and how you’ve made it look cool but casual, the pink is beaut!
TINYTWISST.COM
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Thanks Laura 🙂 I am having so much fun experimenting with colour at the moment! xx
I am loving your photography at the moment, this outfit looks incred! I’m definitely the same, opting to invest more in bags & shoes than clothes, I think it makes for the best mix. X
heart-autumn.co.uk
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Thanks Emma 🙂 I am having so much fun shooting atm. Yes it does and they definitely last the longest too! xx
Such a cool combo, that skirt is something special! I definitely like a mixture of both high street and high end. I think investing in shoes, bags & other accessories when one can is good in the long run! x
Author
Thanks babe 🙂 Yes, totally agree. Think I would have to really be persuaded to buy a designer piece of clothing if I wasn’t going to get any CPW out of it! xx