Usually embedded with an expiry date shorter than the current contents of your fridge, high street is all about the fast and the furious – a churn and burn of on-trend pieces to buy now and bid adieu in six months time, right? Wrong – when your Net-A-Porter wish list total is enough to make your eyes water (‘wish list’ being the operative word here), Zara takes on a whole new persona. Your forever pieces don’t need to come with a forever-paying-off price tag with a fiscal eye. Here’s our edit of high street heroes that last the distance.
Tonals
There’s beauty in simplicity, as they say – particularly when it comes for $49.95. White head-to-toe is fresh in any currency, as is the ever-present black on black. Just make sure your whites are bright and your blacks match – you want to look considered to nail this brief.
COS skirt, $150, (02) 9231 3944
Witchery top, $79.95, and skirt, $119.95
Bardot Solange bustier, $109.99
Seed crepe knit peplum sweater, $149.95
Denim
Designer denim be damned – you could spend weeks wading through the sea of skinnies, flares, boyfriends and wide-legs available on the high street. The wash is key to masking the price point, so steer clear of anything too distressed or detailed.
Zara jeans, $69.95, (02) 9376 7600
Bardot Gisele jeans, $89.99
COS jumpsuit, $175, (02) 9231 3944
Metal Hardware
Gold inherently screams luxe, yet it doesn’t necessarily need to be of the 14ct variety. A drop earring, a chain handbag strap, a clean, minimal cuff – look for a little gilded extra in and amongst your accessories for an instant uplift.
Topshop clutch, $60, and circle earrings, $15, (02) 8072 9300
Witchery heels, $119.95
Zara necklace, $35.95, (02) 9376 7600
Shirting
If your 9-5 agenda is all about looking sharp, a great shirt is a non-negotiable. Steer towards heavier fabrics (like cotton and silk blends) over anything too sheer, as the devil is in the details – weightier styles have a longer shelf life with their silhouette.
Country Road shirt, $149
COS shirt, $99, (02) 9231 3944
Witchery shirt, $119.95
Outerwear
ASOS is a gold mine for a might-be-Marant style cocoon coat, as it Topshop for their impressive take on the trench each winter – if you’re a jacket fiend, multiple $800 numbers aren’t really a feasible option. Wrap yourself up in whatever takes your fancy at this price point.
Factorie faux shearling jacket, $79.95
NEXT coat, $164
Topshop textured duster coat, $135, (02) 8072 9300
Witchery coat, $179.95
Pinstripes
Fashion fades, stripes are eternal. Keep it of the skinny variety on cheaper fabrications – a structured, tailored silhouette ensures this feels modern (and well out of an ‘80s Wall Street throwback).
Country Road pinstripe knit, $139, and pinstripe pant, $74.96
NEXT shirt, $52
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