Are £15 jeans really as good as £150 alternatives? The bargains fashion insiders swear by
If you thought the secret to finding that perfect pair of last-forever jeans was to shell out on a designer label, it might be time to reconsider. According to a new study, jeans that cost just £15 are sturdier than those priced at £150.
The research conducted by the School of Design at the University of Leeds, found that when put through a process that mimicked years of wear and tear, Primark’s jeans actually fared better than a luxury equivalent.
It’s wise to take the above with a pinch of salt; Primark worked with the university on the study as part of its new “Durability Framework”, which sees the fast-fashion retailer attempt to shift the “wear once, throw away” culture it has become associated with – and often criticised for.
However, it does raise the hot topic of value for money – and where we should be shopping to get the most bang for our buck when it comes to clothes.
No one wants to fork out on a new purchase only for it to fall apart on the first wear. But when pieces from luxury labels seem to be ever more expensive – and quality from the high street’s cheapest brands can so often be poor – it’s worth knowing where to look to find the best quality at the best prices.
It’s a subject that fashion insiders have researched extensively. “Arket and Cos do really nice tailoring that looks expensive,” says Sara Parker Bowles, former fashion editor and co-founder of personal styling network, WRAPP10. “I don’t buy cheap tights – I like Wolford and Falke – but Uniqlo is great for everyday socks.”
So, which pieces are worth the splurge and which can be saved on? We’ve done the wardrobe maths.
Jeans
Primark isn’t the only retailer offering denim on a budget. But while it’s hard to accept that a pair of jeans costing less than a M&S Dine In deal will go the distance, you can find decent quality for less. “I’m currently wearing a pair of Zara jeans that I love,” says Parker Bowles.
Jeans made from thicker, stiffer denim look more expensive and will keep you warmer than flimsy fabric. Avoid styles with too much stretch as they’re likely to go baggy at the knee after a few wears. And consider colour; very pale and overly blue washes look cheap whereas indigo and vintage washes are more luxe. Boden’s high-rise straight legs get it right. Jane Herman, author of the Jane On Jeans newsletter, rates a pair of Gap skinny jeans in black which look particularly “designer” when paired with her Leset sweaters and Louis Vuitton bags.
High Rise Straight Leg Jeans, £85, Boden
Black High Waisted True Stretch Skinny Jeans, £55, Gap
If jeans are part of your daily uniform, buying from mid-priced specialist denim brands that focus on superior fit (try Haikure and 7 For All Mankind) will still work out cost-per-wear. Especially if you go for a classic cut: “I’ve got a pair of J Brand Love Story jeans from 10 years ago that I’m excited to start wearing as that slim fit, kick flare in dark denim feels right again,” says Parker Bowles.
T-Shirts
“I tend to go to the high street for the really basic bits like tees,” says stylist Emma Thatcher.
“The long sleeve Pima ones from H&M are great.” Indeed, although the wardrobe staple has been thoroughly haute-ified by luxury brands offering styles that reach into the hundreds, classic cuts in cotton can be found for a snip. My M&S Everyday T-shirt has lasted years and several goes through the washing machine.
Pima Cotton Jersey Top, £22.99, H&M
M&S Everyday T-shirt £8.50, M&S
Underwear
Save your pennies on pants. Marks and Spencer’s Body by M&S knickers are comfortable, VPL (visible panty line)-free and come in a multipack of three useful neutrals for £14. A little more pricey, but still under £20 are Stripe & Stare’s briefs, which are made from bamboo for unrivalled softness.
A badly-fitting bra is a recipe for backache, so invest in a properly constructed style that offers comfortable support and creates a good line under clothes. This is one item that it pays to spend more on. A bra from Rigby & Peller will have you perfectly hoisted for life – which at £100 a pop is just as well. Or try Nudea for less pricey, but no less lovely to wear alternatives. Hitting around £50, styles come both underwired and non-wired and in A-GG cup. The brand’s fit tape means you can self-measure from the comfort of your bedroom.
Briefs, £18, Stripe & Stare
Knitwear
With jumpers playing a starring role in our wardrobes over winter, it pays to have styles that stand up to repeat wear. Cheaper knits made from synthetic fabric may look great on the shop rail, but can quickly pill and turn shabby-looking. Natural fibres are breathable, won’t become misshapen and, in the case of merino wool, are even self-cleaning.
“Investing in contemporary knitwear brands who focus on sourcing the best quality wools and yarns to create pieces with longevity is the way to go,” says stylist Des Lewis. “As jumpers aren’t trend driven, you won’t feel the need to replace them every season.”
British brands &Daughter and Navygrey produce beautiful knitwear in the UK and Ireland from local wool. The former’s red Ada cardigan will pep-up jeans, while the latter’s cream Aran would look great worn over a winter midi skirt.
Ada Crewneck Cardigan, £350, &Daughter
The Maree Crew, £295, Navygrey
Charl’s Salter tank top is made from sustainably farmed Peruvian alpaca and will give stylish warmth to T-shirts and sleeved dresses.
Salter tank top, £225, Charl’s
When it comes to cashmere, it’s perhaps wiser to go high-street as it will inevitably get attacked by moths. “Zara and H&M have some great quality offerings that are genuinely soft”, says Parker Bowles.
Bags
You can get away with going cheaper and cheerful on occasional bags, such as summer baskets and evening clutches. However, when buying your everyday bag it’s worth spending more on something with a functional design in good quality leather that gets better with age.
Designed in Cambridgeshire, M. Hulot bags are individually put together by craftspeople across England. The crescent-shaped Mill slouch bag is big enough for weekend essentials and can be worn crossbody or over your shoulder.
Mill Slouch Bag, £275, M. Hulot
Smart work bags can be found at Edinburgh-based label Strathberry – a favourite of the Princess of Wales. The Mosaic is made from premium Spanish grained leather and comes in a selection of chic neutrals. If you need to carry a laptop, try the sleek Melody tote.
Mosaic bag, £475; Melody Tote, £495; both Strathberry
Shoes
A pair of cheap-looking shoes can really kill an outfit, plus it’s miserable walking around with sore feet. “Choosing well made shoes also means you can get them repaired rather than throwing them away when they start to show signs of wear” says journalist and shoe enthusiast, Hannah Rochell, who has authored two books on the subject.
Rochell recommends shopping from specialist shoe brands with expert know-how. “One of my most trusted brands is Grenson; I’ve had some of my shoes [from them] for well over a decade. It also has a great refurbishment service.”
Brazilian label Mafalda offers chic hand-made boots and loafers for around the £200 mark. Extend the lifespan of the leather soles by adding rubber grips. Flabelus’ velvet and satin slippers make for beautiful – and comfortable – evening shoes.
Velvet and satin slippers, from £160, Flabelus
Don’t think you can’t shop for shoes on the high street. For party styles you won’t be walking miles in, it’s an economic way to be more playful. “If I just want to tap into a trend – like kitten heels – I’ll always start with the high street. I like Zara for accessories.” says Parker Bowles.
Coats
Considering how often it’s coat-weather in this country, outerwear is no doubt one of the savviest wardrobe departments to spend money on. Plus, a beautiful coat has the ability to instantly upgrade any look, even if your outfit has gone to pot underneath.
“I always splash out on coats. I’ve got a Toteme coat I’ve had for years and it still feels super special” says Thatcher.
Make your investment work all the harder by choosing classic styles that go with everything in your wardrobe and won’t date; there’s a reason Max Mara’s wool wraps and Burberry’s trench coats have been considered outerwear icons for decades. On the high street, Jigsaw’s double-faced wool cocoon coat has a premium look and feel. Cos and Sezane are excellent for trenches – just ask Sienna Miller who has been spotted in the latter’s Cylde trench. Well, if it’s good enough for the A-list…
Double-faced cocoon wrap coat, £300 (reduced from £375), Jigsaw
Cylde trench, £275, Sezane
