Exclusive preview screening of The Good Liar, plus cast and filmmaker introduction on October 28
The high street may be faced with unprecedented challenges this winter, from a general slowdown in clothing consumption (although not at all chains; Primark was up
4 per cent in the last quarter; Asos is recovering, too) to the flight online. Added to that is an inchoate sense of guilt in some consumers that the high street is one big, evil landfill waiting to happen (not all consumers, however; an Oxfam study released last month revealed that half of the 1,000 people it surveyed had no idea of the impact of fast fashion on the environment). For retailers, it’s Darwinian out there. But what’s tough for the high street is good for customers. The best high street companies are fighting back with eye-catching collaborations, innovative design and event-like launches that can rival the finale of Succession for excitement.
Roksanda x Lululemon
The Canadian workout giant has teamed up with Roksanda, the Londonbased designer who has a flagship store in Mayfair, for a collection of leggings, tops, gym bags and athletic-looking coats and skirts (for those barre classes) that embodies everything a collaboration should
– the best of each contributor.
In this case you’ll find Lululemon’s reliable commitment to functional, extensively road-tested activewear combined with Roksanda’s inimitable colour combinations. Pink, yellow and burgundy sun salutation anyone? Available in store and online from Tuesday.
The Whistles party dress
I had so many compliments when I borrowed this dress from Whistles’ limited collection to wear to fashion month (one colleague thought it was Dior; there is no higher praise), that I had to promise I would share when it came into store. I’m keeping that promise. It’s one of those rare finds: an understated dazzler (with no sequins to drop off); loose, but not shapeless; flowy, yet slightly structured; a keeper that will see you through many seasons to come. Whistles has also teamed up with Mlouye, the Turkish artisanal bag maker, on a small edit of six bags – slightly pricier than the average high street bag, but of far higher quality.
Laura Ashley’s throwback collection
The Victoriana and prairie nostalgia that has taken fashion by the pie-crust frill-adorned throat in the past few years (brands such as Batsheva, The Vampire’s Wife and Les Reveries have turned delicate sprigged patterns, maxis and ruffles into a high-end cult) began 50 years ago with a small label called Laura Ashley. Now, having seen its own vintage designs avidly traded on ebay, Laura Ashley is finally seizing the day, with a capsule collection of affordable velvet trousers, dresses and shirts that launched this week featuring lovely wintry flowers.
Zara’s Army
The Zara SRPLS army surplus collection has become a reliable source of robust, classic M*a*s*h-inspired style. Think robust khaki and black cotton drill staples that can be dressed up or down, and the sturdiest, height-boosting “hiking” boots.
John Lewis’s party
Make a note by all means in your calendars for the 12 days of John Lewis party dressing, which will include some knockouts when it reaches stores on November 6, but until then (and if you prefer a lower key, sophisticated approach to festive wear) check out the JL brand Modern Rarity and its mini collaboration with Paula Knorr, the German-born former protégé of Peter Pilotto, whose slinky, minimalist jersey dresses have made her a rising star of London Fashion Week, with fans including Björk and Solange.
Pringle x H&M
Not content with the splashy designer collaborations that have become as eagerly anticipated by fashion cognoscenti as those Glastonbury ticket alerts are by fans of mud (their next is with Giambattista Valli, the patron saint of the socialite set), H&M has teamed up with Pringle, the heritage knitwear label, this autumn. While there are some logotastic efforts you might wish to avoid, other pieces are classily understated; this is where to come for high-quality knits at bargain prices. Look no further for the epitome of non-throwaway chic on a budget.
The ultimate knee boot
Like it or not, the snakeskin knee boot is one of this winter’s statement pieces. If you do like it, this one’s for you.
The M&S pleather trousers
How you feel about these faux leather M&S trousers will depend on where you stand on polyurethane, a synthetic polymer which won’t be decomposing any time soon. It’s also very popular in furniture, foams and carpet underlay – not the most glamorous fact, but something that may account for its comfortable handle. Just in case you wondered. These flattering, versatile, high-low, smart casual trousers have been a big hit with Instagram influencers who presumably will be wearing them forever and not discarding them in landfill. They’re a flattering cut and an easy price, and are part of a much-improved offer this season from M&S, which has done well in lots of different categories (I saw one executive at a dinner this week who confessed that the £55 silky, printed midi-shirt dress from Per Una she was wearing had been mistaken regularly for something from the high-end fashion brand she works for).
Accessorize’s cheats’ charter
One of those stores you feel just that bit too old to be shopping in (whatever your age), Accessorize has become The Telegraph fashion team’s guilty pleasure (and not for the first time). Chief amongst its enjoyable sins are the ready-tied, elasticated hair scarf accessories – the cheating kind you ought to have learnt to tie for yourself years ago, but were too busy doing other, more interesting things to bother mastering.
Ninety Percent’s utility chic
Rethinking its supply chain and donating 90 per cent of its profits to employees and charitable causes (customers can nominate their favourites), this London-based label is all about detail-focused, yet unfussy, basics that work their way on to your list of essentials. Exhibit A: their £195 grey jumpsuit, which lands online November 15.
The classiest coat on the high-high street
This may graze the high street price ceiling, but it’s not the most expensive coat (see Whistles’ sheepskins, which the chain successfully updates every winter). It is however, one of the most discreetly and charmingly stylish. An understated wool and alpaca dogtooth tweed (with a bit of polyester) that can be worn belted or loose, and that will outlast most other coats, this has more than a whiff of Dior for an outlay of £395.
JW Anderson x Uniqlo
Introduce a laterally thinking creative like Belfast-born JW Anderson, to a laterally thinking manufacturer such as Uniqlo, and you have a collection of highly functional, deceptively traditional heritage classics that are anything but predictable in all but the value-formoney prices. Now in its fourth season, it went into store and online on Thursday. Star buys include the grey or navy wool pea coat at £109 and the tartan blanket skirts (£39.90).
Essentiel Antwerp’s matching set
Essentiel Antwerp only has one store in the UK so far, and it’s on the salubrious stretch of the King’s Road, just off Sloane Square, the Middletons’ favourite shopping strand. Perhaps that explains why it feels so much more upmarket than prices suggest. This colourful matching scarf and jumper is a quintessential EA approach: easy to shop, playful pieces, from which you can build a simple, but not simplistic, wardrobe of distinctive outfits. Although available online, there’s no danger, yet, of any of its many hit items becoming as ubiquitous as Zara’s polka-dot dress. Savvy dressing for those prepared to spend a bit more on their high street treasures.
Arket’s down jackets
Discovering the humble down jacket has been the cause of suffering to millions of birds was a catalyst for my changing consumer habits. Behold, Arket’s Re: Down collection of ultra-cosy coats and jackets from recycled down and feathers. For style and ethics, this retailer is head and shoulders above most.