Putting this together has been a joy. I love a bargain. I love a styling trick that makes old clothes feel new. I love finding something that looks expensive but isn’t. And I delight in sharing those finds with other style lovers.
Almost everything is under £100. Now, £100 is a lot of money. But the point of this list is not to give you the cheapest possible option in any category because a list of shoddily constructed, unethically produced buys is no good to anyone. Clothes that sag and break aren’t just a false economy – they add landfill to the planet and hassle to your life. Instead, I’ve tried to bring you an honest list of ways to look better at a reasonable price point – just in time for autumn.
Some of these tips are my learnings from years spent in design studios and on the shop floor: which high-street brands make the most comfortable shoes, where to find good-value tailoring, how to buy a great handbag if you’ve got champagne taste and a cider budget. Some are practical hacks to elevate the wardrobe you have; others are joyful, mood-boosting payday treats – just not throwaway ones. Enjoy!
Try pretty tights this party season
Snazzy tights are an excellent addition to your party season fashion toolbox. Nothing brings the party like swapping your opaques for a lace or polka dot pair. Wear with a pencil skirt for cocktail-hour sophistication. Or for maximum fashion points, sport under sheer layers. Very new-season Chloé – without the Chloé price.
Polka dot tights, £15.99
calzedonia.com
Lace tights, £19.99
calzedonia.com
Go for pointed ballerina flats
Instant chic, total comfort. A pointed toe makes your feet look prettier and elongates your silhouette. The silver ones with bows from Next are perfect.
Pointed ballerina flats, £38
next.co.uk
Get to know your best side
Almost everyone has one. And almost any celeb who is photographed regularly will have figured out which one it is and mostly stuck to it. Victoria Beckham, for instance, is always left cheekbone to camera. Take some mirror selfies to find yours – then try to remember it.
Make a blue shirt a wardrobe staple
A pale-blue shirt is always classy. I love the pocket embroidery on H&M’s poplin shirt.
Poplin shirt, £19.99
hm.com
Keep your trainers box-fresh
I have to admit I wash my trainers in the machine when they get dirty, but I know real sneakerheads say this shortens their life. So if you have a precious pair, Crep protect wipes are a worthwhile investment, with a textured side for scrubbing off marks and a smooth side to wipe off surface grime.
Crep protect wipes, £8 for 12
schuh.co.uk
Invest in leopard print
I have a leopard-print sheepskin jacket that I bought at Betty Jackson in about 2005 that I still wear. I umm-ed and ahh-ed because it wasn’t cheap and didn’t seem that practical, but I’d heard Kate Moss was ordering one, and I loved it, so I did, and it has turned out to be one of my lifelong treasures. A leopard coat is an instant outfit-maker. Mango’s leopard straight coat is timeless French-girl chic.
Mango leopard print coat, £100
next.co.uk
Get to know Jigsaw’s trousers
They fit beautifully, pack well, hold their shape and generally look much more expensive than they are. My favourite black pair are about a decade old, and people still ask me if they are Saint Laurent. Lol. Jigsaw’s ponte kickflare trousers have a permanent front crease, which keeps them looking sharp all day.
Ponte kickflare trousers, £99
jigsaw-online.com
Elevate your ponytail bands
When you have long hair, you often end up pulling it into a ponytail or bun because the train is hot and crowded/you are trying to concentrate and it’s annoying you/you are cooking/you didn’t have time to wash it. Turn that utilitarian gesture into a chic style accent by swapping plain elastic bands for a charming scarf-style scrunchie. You can find them on Etsy, made from upcycled fabric, for £5.85.
Scarf style scrunchie, £5.85
etsy.com
Wear ankle socks. Always
Socks are important in fashion right now. You could literally be carrying a £2,000 Loewe handbag, but if you’ve got trainer liners on, your look is dead. For an instant style upgrade, buy Arket’s good-quality, cotton, ribbed ankle socks to wear with loafers, hiking sandals or trainers. Come evening, I love the punk, jet-flecked Calzedonia sheer socks with a simple black court. After decades of on-the-ground reporting, my findings are that wearing socks with high-heeled shoes approximately doubles how long you can comfortably stand in them.
Sheer socks, £7
calzedonia.com
Ribbed ankle socks, £17 for five pairs
arket.com
Pick up a chic mini scarf
I’ve written about my Lucky Stitch scarf before, but am telling you again in case you missed it. Most wool scarves are Doctor Who, but these dual-coloured neck ties are pure Grace Kelly. I’ve never mastered tying a silk scarf elegantly, but the knitted neckerchief always looks great and is small enough to fold into a blazer pocket so you don’t lose it. There are endless, gorgeous colours; mine is tan and tobacco.
Mini scarf, from £28
etsy.com
Find a ‘Chanel’ jacket
Obviously I’m not suggesting you buy a fake Chanel jacket – hiya, Chanel lawyers! But what I call a Chanel tribute jacket (nubbly tweed, boxy, patch pockets, snazzy buttons) is a staple of the British high street these days. The genius is in the way it gives you support and structure, but doesn’t restrict you. You can pretty much always find one of these in Zara for about £60.
Textured blazer, £59.99
zara.com
Discover the high street’s best jeans
The most brilliant jeans in the world are Levi’s 501 90s. The next best thing could be Gap’s Cheeky high-waisted straight-leg jeans, which have an authentic straight leg and come in a low-stretch denim which holds you really well, so you don’t get that afternoon slump.
Levi 501 90s jeans, £100
levi.com
High-waisted straight-leg jeans, £60
gap.co.uk
Stop wearing your jumper. Yes, really
Drape it instead. Looping your sweater over your shoulders is the new shoulder-robing. An instant wardrobe update – and a practical safety net if the weather turns nippy.
Check out Uniqlo’s coat selection
Fashion insiders have long known that Uniqlo is a goldmine of well-designed pieces. The appointment of former Givenchy designer Clare Waight Keller as creative director suggests things will get even better. Your first port of call for a classic wool coat that looks expensive but isn’t: the boxy wool blend Chester long coat. It comes in grey, black and beige, and has a concealed button that converts the lapel into a funnel neck.
Wool blend long coat, £99.90
uniqlo.com
Buy T-shirts that last
Isle of Wight brand Rapanui is serious about circular fashion. Send your old 100% cotton T-shirt back (any brand) and it will give you a £5 store credit. The women’s mid-weight oversized T-shirt has just the right sleeve length and fabric weight to feel elevated and chic, rather than basic. Great colours, too – evergreen is a favourite.
Oversized T-shirt, £25
rapanuiclothing.com
Get your cardies from the men’s section
Preppy is back. A great cardigan never went away. Knitwear from the menswear floor is ideal for clean lines and an oversized fit; the colours are often more chic and muted, too. Uniqlo’s lambswool V-neck is a classic.
V-neck cardigan, £39.90
uniqlo.com
Get your brows done in a salon
Brows with a strong arch and a neat outline add instant polish to your look. Having your eyebrows waxed or threaded costs less than £10 in most salons, and is so quick you can usually walk in and get a spot.
Try press-on lash clusters
If you would like to have better eyelashes, but definitely don’t have time, money or bandwidth for getting specialist extensions, try Kiss Impress press-on lash clusters. Just press one or two clusters below the upper lashes on each eye and give them a squeeze with the clamp. They look great, last for a few days, then just fall off. The £20 starter kit gets you the clamp; refill boxes with just the lashes are £9. Go for the natural set so it’s not too much.
Press-on lash kit, £20
superdrug.com
Press-on lashes, £9
superdrug.com
Buy your boots from M&S …
About half the shoes I wear are from M&S. The high street stalwart has great styles – keep a close eye and swoop fast – and they are ridiculously comfortable. For autumn, I’ve got my eye on these classic block heeled boots, which come in burgundy (very this season’s Gucci) and black.
Ankle boots, £75
marksandspencer.com
… and your heels from Dune
Have you looked at Dune shoes recently? They look fabulous, the prices are fair and, best of all, the luxurious squishy padded soles cut down heel ache. I love the Careless two-tone ankle straps in burgundy and black. A block heel is more economical than a dainty heel tip, which requires endless trips to the cobblers.
Ankle strap courts, £90
dunelondon.com
Invest in quiet-luxury loafers
Loafers are definitely going to be around for a while, so if you haven’t already invested, do. Boden’s Iris snaffle loafers in ginger snap suede have a terrific Talented Mr Ripley vibe. (FYI, the company does extraordinary sales.)
Suede loafers, £110
boden.co.uk
Shop shoes like a fashion insider
Fancy flats by Singapore brand Charles & Keith are a fashion editor favourite. They look designer, are comfortable, and don’t cost the earth. The tweed beaded chain-link slingback flats have smart glossy toe caps and a beaded chain-link strap, all for £59.
Slingback flats, £59
charleskeith.co.uk
Take a travel iron on holiday
Ever since a fashion desk colleague tipped me off about packing a travel iron, I’ve never looked back. I can wear a cotton shirt twice – even at fashion week – if I can iron out the creases and sharpen up the collar. It means you can pack lighter and travel hand-luggage only, which results in less stress at the airport as well as cheaper fares. Mine is from Quest.
Travel iron, £18
wilko.com
… and a stain remover pen everywhere
Tide-to-Go stain remover pens are magic. I wouldn’t travel to fashion shows – or anywhere else, really – without packing one. Whip it out, rub it on your garment and watch that coffee splash vanish.
Stain remover pens, £12.99 for three
americantreatsintheuk.com
Pick up some fabric protector
This isn’t just for sofas and shoes; it is great for clothes, too. Scotchgard water shield fabric protector is a pre-emptive lifesaver: spray it all over white jackets, suede trousers or delicate party dresses to repel stains and watermarks. You’re welcome.
Fabric protector, £6.59
viking-direct.co.uk
Clean your jewellery
Fill a bowl – not a sink, we don’t want any accidents with the plughole – with warm (not boiling) water, add a squirt of washing-up liquid, leave rings and earrings to soak for 10 minutes and then clean with an old toothbrush to dislodge grime.
Snap up a classic Argyle cardi
Nothing says autumn like a cosy Argyle cardigan. You could wear M&S’s version, featuring a ribbed trim and shiny gold buttons, with barrel leg jeans and chunky silver earrings this winter and look bang on trend, but the style will never date.
Argyle cardigan, £35
marksandspencer.com
Organise your beauty kit
Makeup artists love Next’s lay flat drawstring makeup bag. It sits on your shelf as a pretty velvet pouch, but undo the drawstring and it lies flat, so everything is visible. With other bags I waste at least one of the five minutes I have to do my makeup rummaging around; this way, I have time for a second coat of mascara. I want it in green velvet.
Drawstring makeup bag, £14
next.co.uk
Give yourself a lazy girl’s French manicure
My bar for nails is set at a low but achievable level of presentability, which means one coat of Glowing Out by Nails Inc, which adds a rosy tint to your nails while making the white tips look whiter. A quick swipe with a nail tip whitener crayon (Mavala makes the best) in the two minutes it takes the polish to dry and you are good to go.
Nail perfector polish, £9
superdrug.com
Nail white crayon, £6.40
nailpolishdirect.co.uk
Upgrade a look with a belt
A beautiful belt will make the simplest shirt and trousers look more sophisticated. I love Sézane’s, which come in soft leather with pleasingly vintage-looking burnished hardware. The brand’s Taylor belt is £65, which might seem expensive, but works out as a good price-per-wear, seeing as I wear it most days.
Leather belt, £65
sezane.com
Buy a cheap magnifying mirror
The key to smarter makeup. You want a little one on a stand, so you can prop it wherever the light hits best. Ikea’s, gives 2.5 times magnification.
Magnifying mirror, £5
ikea.com
Do thermals … but make them fashion
You know about Uniqlo Heattech, right? New-gen thermals that look and feel like fashion. Uniqlo has sold more than a billion of these, because they work. My favourite item is its extra warm cashmere blend high-neck T-shirt in six colours. I’ll be wearing it underneath lightweight shirt dresses or sleeveless shifts to keep my summer wardrobe firing well into autumn.
Thermal T-shirt, £19.90
uniqlo.com
Swap your dull laces for bright hiking ones
Give your scuffed old walking boots a glow-up with a fancy pair of hiking laces. Cherry purple, why not?
Round laces, £3.49
decathlon.co.uk
Check the weather
Nothing ruins your look – and mood – faster than not being dressed right in wind or rain. Being up to date with the weather will do more for your look than being up to date with trends. Download an extra weather app and crosscheck at least two forecasts each morning. Your suede shoes will thank you.
Weather app
metoffice.gov.uk
Consider a tuxedo jacket
If you have a black tux with contrast lapels, you have a perfect look for every kind of party: wear it with black trousers and heels for black tie, or with jeans and a T-shirt for a cocktail-dress code. And because it will always be an unusual choice, you will stand out every time without having to buy anything new. From November, M&S is doing one with classic satin lapels, which is good value at £79, but you can pick up a double breasted version from there now for £89. Alternatively, Vinted is a great source for tailoring.
Tuxedo jacket, £89
marksandspencer.com
Dig out a vintage knitted waistcoat
Look, you can easily buy one of these from Zara but the brilliant thing about the return of the knitted waistcoat – a kind of button-up sweater vest – is that this staple of the gentleman’s wardrobe is widely available in secondhand stores for a song.
Knit waistcoat, £19.99
zara.com
Find two perfect bras
Bras are personal, and bigger cup sizes have specific needs, but for all my not-super-busty-but-need-a-bra girlies out there, these are a couple I swear by for comfort and a smooth line. Gossard Glossies sheer bra for under T-shirts, and Rosie for M&S Beau silk and lace wired plunge bra for everything else.
Plunge bra, £29.50
marksandspencer.com
Sheer moulded bra, £36
gossard.com
Choose classic, long-lasting trainers
What do Alexa Chung, Kate Middleton, Emily Ratajkowski and I have in common? Superga 2750 trainers. The Italian-made, old-school canvas plimsolls are sleekly minimal and super comfortable.
Trainers, £65
johnlewis.com
Try a barn coat
You know that French-blue “chore” jacket that’s been everywhere the past few years? Well, the tan “barn coat” – seen on the catwalk for Loewe – is the new that. It has serious fashion cred right now, and the best versions are pre-loved from US workwear brands. Key details to look for are a corduroy collar, a straight silhouette (not waisted) and oversized pockets. Beaten-up looks better than pristine. Search LL Bean or J Crew on eBay, and you should find something for about £30.
Barn jacket, £75
asos.com
Don’t write off souvenir shop earrings
A dash of kitsch can look surprisingly chic with an otherwise sophisticated outfit. I get more compliments for my dangly mini Eiffel Towers than for almost any other pair of earrings. They cost €5 in a souvenir shop on the Rue de Rivoli in Paris, but you can also find cute ones on Etsy and Lottie and Lu. Or pick your own landmark: Statue of Liberty, Tower of Pisa, Big Ben?
Enamel Eiffel Tower earrings, £4.99
etsy.com
Black Eiffel Tower earrings, £5.50
lottieandlu.co.uk
Get the baseball cap du jour
The baseball cap is back. Why not get the TikTok-approved Harris-Walz camo one, due to be in stock on the campaign website from 14 October, ready for US election crunch time.
Harris-Walz camo cap (available in the US only from 14 October), $40
store.kamalaharris.com
Customisable camo cap, from £21.98
coreworkwear.co.uk
Choose a logo-free handbag
If you can’t afford a designer bag, the worst alternative is one that is trying to look designer by having a big old logo and lots of cheap shiny rattling hardware. Look for understated classic shapes, neat seaming and minimal, user-friendly detailing like adjustable straps. The Anyday range by John Lewis offers amazing value. Also recommended: M&S knotted detail cross-body bag .
Cross body bag, £29.50
marksandspencer.com
Black tote bag, £65
johnlewis.com
Avoid overpriced sunglasses …
Air Heart by Le Specs are my go-to sunglasses. I have never met anyone they don’t suit. They are cat’s eye but not retro, oversized but not overwhelming. And £65 is reasonable compared with the extortionate prices of most designer sunnies.
Cat’s eye sunglasses, £65
johnlewis.com
… and wear your sunnies with pearls
Mrs Prada says so, this season. Unexpected. And very good. The shades don’t need to be Prada, any black pair will do … and, no, the pearls don’t have to be real.
Get a really nice umbrella
The classic Original Duckhead umbrella, with its wooden duck-shaped handle, will put a smile on your face. It costs £36, but is infinitely more chic than those cheap emergency buys with wonky spokes.
Duck umbrella, £36
originalduckhead.com
Let your necklace do the talking
I almost don’t want to tell you how good Boden jewellery is, because I feel like it’s a well-kept fashion secret. Every season it has at least one gorgeous piece that can spice up the simplest dress. Something chunky with pearls and crystals can turbo-charge a simple sweater and jeans into a going-out look just as effectively as putting on high heels – and it’s a lot more comfy.
Pearl and crystal necklace, £65
boden.co.uk
Swap gold hoops for silver teardrops
If your earrings look like a mini Anish Kapoor for your lobe, they’re perfect. The pendulous silver teardrop is all over the high street this autumn – the ones in H&M are great.
Teardrop earrings, £23.00
hm.com
Wear your initials as earrings
I stole this idea from a woman I saw on the tube who had three tiny letter studs in one ear spelling sex. I dialled it down to my initials, with the more vanilla JCM. If you have just one hole in each ear (really? still?) you could spell your initials that way. Just remember that the image in the mirror is reversed, so don’t spell your name backwards. I love the sparkly letters by Missoma, which is one of my absolute favourite jewellery brands – the aesthetic is bang-on, and the finish and fastenings are made to last.
Initial studs, £39 each
missoma.com
Retire your huge, old wallet
Are you still lugging about a walloping wallet from the days when cash was king? If so, time to downsize. The Betsy & Floss small leather purse is a neat 10.5cm x 8cm, with a zipped pocket for coins and slip compartments for cards and notes. Also, it looks like Mulberry, and it’s £25, which includes free personalisation with up to four embossed initials.
Small leather purse, £25
betsyandfloss.com
Host a clothes swap night
Ask your friends to bring five pieces they don’t wear any more and would like to see go to a happy new home. Lay everything out, then take it in turns to pick a piece each. Free wardrobe update and fun, too. People come in different sizes, so encourage people to bring jewellery, bags and shoes as well. Happy swapping!
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Jess Cartner-Morley is the Guardian’s associate fashion editor