Finding expensive-looking pieces on the high-street is my secret talent. No, really. I pride myself when someone asks “is that the Toteme jumper?” or, “that jacket looks so Saint Laurent,” when, in actual fact, my whole outfit probably cost me less than £150.
The thing is, as much as we all love brands like The Row, Chloé, Khaite, etc etc, we don’t necessarily have the endless budgets that allow us to shop there all the time. First world problems, right? That doesn’t mean to say you can’t always look polished, though. If you strive to look as though money weren’t an issue, so to speak, then I’m here to prove that it absolutely is possible to do so on a budget.
I spend my Monday-Friday trawling the depths of the best online clothing stores as a fashion writer, so I know exactly what makes a high-street piece look 10x more premium than its retail price would have you believe. The secret? It’s all in the tailoring, fabric quality, and details.
SKIP TO: Shop the most expensive-looking high-street items.
Best high-street stores to shop for expensive-looking pieces this month:
How do you find expensive looking items on the high-street?
My general rule of thumb is to look for items that feel luxurious. What’s the composition like? Does it contain a high percentage of cotton, wool, linen, cashmere or mohair? If yes, and it costs less than you expected it to, get it before it inevitably sells out. Does it hit you in all the right places? For example, do the seams, buttons or pattern/print line up, and does everything fall where it should? Yes? Buy it.
Obviously it goes without saying that just because something is “affordable”, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you need it. If you have similar items in your wardrobe already then put it back – no matter how good it is. Investing in something, be it high-street or designer, is still a loss to your savings if you aren’t going to wear it.
Need some help? I’ve sourced 15 of the best expensive-looking pieces on the high-street RN below, just in time for pay day. Some picks are certainly more affordable than others, but they’ve all met my criteria and then some. Happy frugal shopping, besties.
Below, the 21 most expensive-looking high-street buys RN
H&M
One thing H&M is doing particularly well at the moment (aside from the H&M Studio Pre-Spring Capsule which goes live on Thursday 30th January, FYI) is nailing the boho trend. Taking cues from Chloé, you’ll notice a distinct variety of Western-inspired denim, leather and suede throughout the website. My faves, and the ones that look the most expensive, are listed here.
The bag? Very Miu Miu-esque. The belt? I could be fooled into thinking it was from our list of the best designer belts…
See more via our H&M Dressing Room Diaries here, and save when you shop with these H&M discount codes at checkout.
COS
If you’re a The Row mega fan (aren’t we all?), you’ll know the effect the brand’s iconic Margaux bag has had on the fashion world. You’ll also know, therefore, how much buying one will set you back – a fortune, though worth it IMO. So when inspired styles trickle down to the high-street, like this suede one at COS, you don’t walk, you RUN. I’m not kidding; it’s selling out as we speak.
See more via our COS Dressing Room Diaries here, and save when you shop with these COS discount codes at checkout.
FREE PEOPLE
Free People has long ruled the bohemian dressing space, so I’m not surprised they’re still leading the way. These two pieces, however, truly take the cake. Fringe is everywhere right now, and remember those wooden-sole wedges everyone who was front row wore during Chloé’s AW24 runway show at Paris Fashion Week? See a high-street take below.
See more via our Free People Dressing Room Diaries here, and save when you shop with these Free People discount codes at checkout.
MANGO
If you’re struggling with what to wear to work in 2025 and you’re looking for a new winter coat to treat yourself to (it’s not getting warmer any time soon), then Mango has two expensive-looking pieces that tick those very boxes. The outerwear’s asymmetric belt detail? Whoever thought of that deserves a raise.
See more via our Mango Dressing Room Diaries here, and save when you shop with these Mango discount codes at checkout.
ASOS
Mugler isn’t the only brand creating deconstructed and tailored denim looks; enter ASOS. The blazer and trouser set below looks like it walked straight off the runway with its balloon/barrel leg silhouette, and the belted suede tote would make the perfect work bag.
See more via our ASOS Dressing Room Diaries here, and save when you shop with these ASOS discount codes at checkout.
ZARA
From trending triangle scarfs and ballet-core satin flats to faux fur outerwear that you’d be forgiven for thinking was 10x more expensive, Zara is a goldmine for luxury-looking pieces. Zara handbags are worth your attention at the best of times, but they’re bridging the gap between high-street and designer more than ever currently.
For more from GLAMOUR UK’s Senior Commerce Writer Georgia Trodd, follow her on Instagram @georgiatrodd.
