We Try Before You Buy: 7 High-Street Items Destined for Cult Status

At Who What Wear, we are always trying to help you find pieces that will be long-lasting additions to your wardrobe—pieces that will outlive fleeting trends, fit in with your personal style and stand up from a design point of view. That is why this month we have brought you The Great Try-On, where our editors and friends of Who What Wear have tried new-season pieces and styling moves, to help you find those items that are actually worth investing in or re-creating yourself. 

There can be many difficulties in shopping on the high street, from the wild discrepancies with fit and quality to a lack of size diversity and the promotion of a throwaway fast-fashion culture. But for many of us, shopping on the high street is what is accessible and realistic. That is why we decided to enlist some of the best shoppers and stylish women we know to bring the one high street or affordable piece they are really championing for autumn/winter 2021. All we asked is that they select something that they think is truly amazing from anywhere on the high street, and their selections couldn't be more varied. Stylist and fashion editor Nana Acheampong picked a bright-blue sequin dress, while the influencer India Sehmi picked a simple but beautiful white shirt.

We shot each of them at home via the magic of the internet so that you can see up what these items really look like and why we're so obsessed with them. 

Chloe Pierre is a Who What Wear columnist and always finds amazing pieces at the likes of H&M and Zara, so we had to find out what she loved for this autumn. "I've always been a sucker for an all-white ensemble, particularly co-ords and knitwear, so when I saw this on Paloma Elsesser, I knew I had to have it as an essential piece of my transitional wardrobe. Zara has some way to go, but I'm here for the baby steps in catering for the curvy woman," she says.

Nana is one of the most glamorous women we know, so we weren't at all surprised when she accepted the video call at 2 p.m. wearing a sequin gown. "Sequins should be for every day in my book, not just special occasions and party season," she tells us. "The cut of this dress is also super versatile. I can wear it as a dress or undo the buttons and have it as a jacket over trousers and a top. As for colour-blocking, these pink Zara courts are already my fave heels of the season so far."

Rachael Clifton of @BubblyAquarius has a knack for finding expensive-looking basics on the high street, and she's just found the perfect autumn coat. "This COS beige trench coat is such a classic piece, and I love the oversized cut and the length of it. It can be styled in so many different ways and is the perfect transitional investment piece!" she says. We're sold. 

If you can't tell by the walls behind her, Lindsey Isla has a real thing for bold colours. "I'm such a big fan of a co-ord, and I feel like this Warehouse one is perfect for A/W," she explains. "I love the silhouette of the blazer and the shape it gives me. I also love that it's sleeveless, so it can be styled in so many different ways and look completely different depending on what's underneath."

India of @theindiaedit has a beautiful, classic personal style, and we loved that her high-street hero was a white lace shirt from the French brand Sézane. A white shirt might seem like an everyday item, but the interesting neckline and lace detailing make this look really expensive. It's not surprising then that it's already sold out. 

Topshop might not be a fixture on physical high streets anymore, but the brand is now available on ASOS. Rachel Everitt is a fashion buyer and influencer, and she opted for a brown trouser suit by Topshop worn with a matching brown bra and clogs, showing tailoring doesn't have to be formal. 

Those who follow the influencer Zeena Shah will know she wears more colour than anyone, so for her affordable autumn pick, she chose a bright orange co-ord from Résumé with a jolly orange knitted vest over the top. Fabulous!

Next up, see the other items and trends our editors tried on this month.