There is one important fact about fashion that, once you have it figured out, will save you time and money. It’s this: some things are worth paying a lot more for (you’ll get value per use) and not others, because more affordable alternatives do the job just as well.
The trick is knowing what is worth it and what is not. So, here are the five things I would spend the most on this season and five things I wouldn’t spend my money on…
Marks and Spencer Autograph Traditional Jacket:
This style navy peacoat (£199, brandsandspencer.com) is a classic, inspired by iconic pieces from the M&S archives, so you’ll keep coming back to it. The advantage of any peacoat (apart from its naval arrogance) is that it sits halfway between a long jacket and a short coat and is therefore super versatile: it looks good with trousers and a sweater, or with a roll-neck , a midi skirt and boots.
The cut of this limited-edition coat is perfect (many are too short and tight or too boxy and heavy) and the quality is exceptional: it’s made from “naturally soft and breathable” recycled wool, so it feels like cashmere and gives you will keep warm.
This, plus the finishing (stylish navy faux horn buttons and epaulettes) make it look much more expensive than it is. Other similar peacoats (the Wyse version, for example) cost a third more and don’t have the same luxurious feel.
Note: M&S winter coats, including the more expensive Autograph and Jaeger ranges, are very good value for money and there’s no one to match them for style and substance at the moment. (The new Jaeger trench coat, £199, is a big hit with fashion editors.)
A pair of black pants forever.
This season, pants are the big style statement, so it’s worth getting a special pair. With Nothing Underneath (WNU) has just launched its first pair of lightweight wool tailored trousers with pleats at the front, called Rampling (£225, sinnadadebajo.com).
They are deliberately wider than classic men’s trousers, but they fit well and would look just as good with a shiny silver jacket or top. If you prefer a slightly slimmer look, Me+Em offers stylish forever tuxedo pants (£250, meandem.com) in two lengths, one for flat shoe wearers and one for heel lovers.
Note: Me+Em changes the shape of their pants enough each season to keep you on point.
adidas sneakers
Us civilians in their fifties can enjoy the same footwear as celebrities, and trendy shoes can make anything else you wear look new and fresh. By far the easiest and most affordable entry point is (still) a good pair of Adidas trainers: either Sambas (£94.99), Spezials (£89.99) or Gazelles (£84.99, all). adidas.com).
They make you look like you know what you’re doing (wear them with pants or any style of jeans) and they also add the color of the new season. The most fashionable colors are browns, mustards and yellow and red.
My current favorites are Adidas Sambas in off-white with burgundy stripes (£94.99, office.co.uk). Don’t be put off by all the Rishi Sunak drama; just avoid navy and stone for now.
Note: It’s okay to go for off-brand sneakers and they’re cheaper, but they won’t have the same fashionable reputation and therefore won’t take your outfit up a notch. Plus, you can wear even the trendiest sneakers at any age, so why not? Try New Balance, Gucci… You’ll wear them a lot.
knee high boots
A good boot will last you a lifetime in the same way that you couldn’t wear a silver party shoe. Boden Erica Leather Knee High Boot (£230, boden.es) with a block heel and a round toe (two details that will still deliver in a way that a pointed toe or kitten heel won’t) comes in chocolate brown, oxblood, and black and works with longer hems or baggy jeans .
Mango knee-high boot (€189.99 store.mango.com) with a low western heel and a half-point toe is halfway between a cowboy and a riding boot and will instantly modernize all dresses and skirts.
Note: Crackle finishes or dark colors like oxblood give new life to boots.
A boyfriend shirt
Not long ago it was impossible to find a decent shirt (they were too loose, too big, too tight, too plain) and then along came With Nothing Underneath (WNU) and their cotton poplin Boyfriend Shirt (£95, sinnadadebajo.com) is now simply the best-cut, best-quality shirt out there.
Blue and white stripes make all pants and jeans look elegant, sky blue adds freshness to navy or black tailoring.
Note: A boyfriend-style shirt (like a men’s cut, slightly fitted to flatter women) never goes out of style, so you’ll have it forever.
And there is no need to spend on…
Cashmere
It’s not cheap anywhere, but these days you can find excellent quality cashmere on the high street for half the price you would have paid five years ago, and it’s well worth it.
Cashmere turns a sweater, cardigan or tank top into something special with evening potential. Try M&S’s cashmere crew neck in bright green, acid yellow or fuchsia (£89) or a Uniqlo turtleneck in off-white (£89.90, uniqlo.com).
Note: A sweater is a great way to inject just the right amount of new season color: all browns, cornflower blue, cranberry, and yellow.
Jeans
Believe me, I’ve spent a fortune on jeans over the years. We were crazy about designer jeans in the ’90s, when everyone wore their Earl Jeans to everything, including Christmas parties.
But lately M&S and Zara are doing such a good job that there’s no need to go anywhere else and besides, now that you need three pairs of jeans in your wardrobe (tidy for the office, relaxed for the weekend, one pair for smart casual style) is not feasible to pay hundreds of pounds.
Start with M&S’ wide-leg trousers (£35) or Zara’s high-waisted, straight-leg jeans in a darker wash (£27.99 zara.com). Note: it is better to experiment (updating the shape of your jeans is never aging) than to spend all your money on designer jeans that will go out of style in a few years.
An elegant velvet jacket (and matching pants)
A few years ago, velvet tailoring would have been on my Make You Pay More list (because it’s worth it), but now, as with cashmere, the high street has dramatically upped its game and these days it’s no longer necessary. Take a deep breath and pay.
M&S’s teal single button velvet jacket (£79) and matching straight trousers (£45) is one of the key looks in their autumn advertising campaign because it looks like it could be Gucci and it fits perfectly, like a loose enough pants. glove. Velvet is difficult to make well (it can look scruffy) and M&S have done it; A great color for fall too.
Note: Don’t bother spending money on black velvet. This season is a chance to have fun and wear your blazer with a light lace-trimmed vest or nothing underneath.
a belt
Not long ago I would have said that if you put on a beautiful belt with a horse buckle, everything you wear it with would look twice as expensive and glamorous. Now I’d say: have you seen Arket’s slim black leather belt (£67, mercado.com) and the Zara leopard belt (€19.95). Note: A shiny buckle makes an outfit look expensive.
evening shoes
As a general rule I would say don’t spend money on evening shoes, save it for the ones you wear every day. Right now, Zara has a spectacularly good pair of pointed toe mule heels (£35.99, zara.es) that look straight off the Prada catwalk and Mango’s red patent leather suspenders are equally covetable (£49.99).
Note: You want a party shoe that is comfortable, but you also want one that adds current pizzazz and will look different next year. For now, goodbye velvet platforms, hello kitten-heeled sparklers.