HIGH street clothing just got a serious mark-up – leaving many shoppers feeling stitched-up.
Last week M&S launched a glossy 43-piece collab with 16Arlington, a luxe label loved by celebs including Kendall Jenner and Amal Clooney.
And while its slinky shirts, shimmering partywear and indulgent knits are sexy and stylish, the price tags will make even the most seasoned shopper do a double-take.
With earrings for £50 and dresses for £295, it may be a drop in price for 16Arlington, whose designs usually set you back thousands — but it’s a significant price hike.
Like most high street collaborations with designer brands, M&S’s new range is meant to offer shoppers a taste of high-end glamour without the eye-watering cost.
Even so, it will still be out of reach for many. And it is not just these collabs that are making prices rise faster than a Black Friday queue.
Don’t panic
Even supermarkets, where you are usually guaranteed a good deal, now have clothes prices to rival those of mainstream high street stores.
A coat from F&F at Tesco this season is £69.50, but I remember when you could get one for around £35.
And trusty Primark, which you normally associate with bagging a bargain, is currently selling a suede jacket for £80.
A genuine suede jacket for under £100 is still a pretty good deal, but it is not what you expect from a supposedly bargain retailer.
So if today’s high street prices are making you feel the pinch, don’t panic — you have not been priced out of fashion.
You can still look chic without your bank balance taking a battering.
From Vinted bundles to investment buys and money back for old clothes, here I reveal the smart ways to shop in 2025.
Buy one statement item per season
THE fashion calendar has two seasons — spring/summer and autumn/winter. Invest in one staple item each season.
This is usually a high-ticket piece that you want to last for years to come — for this season a coat, some good-quality knitwear or a pair of boots, such as these for £65 from Schuh.
Make this a considered buy.
Ask yourself: Will I still like this pattern next year? Does this silhouette suit me? What is it made from? How much wear will I get out of it?
If you make this piece central to your wardrobe, the cost per wear ought to make it more affordable.
Pay in three to help cover cost
THERE are now many good “buy now, pay later” schemes — and Klarna and Clearpay are partnered with thousands of brands. Retailers such as Next and Very also have staggered-payment systems.
So, rather than shelling out all in one go for an item that is £60, you could pay just £20 a month, with no interest.
In some cases, if you are struggling with a payment one month, you can even ask for an extension to help.
While you must always make sure you can afford what you are buying in the first place, it is a handy way to manage payments for those fashion items you have set your heart on.
Take advantage of introductory offers
MANY retailers have handy money-saving incentives to tempt you to shop with them for the first time — in the hope you will then be back for more.
One such fashion favourite is Nobody’s Child, below, which is offering a 15 per cent discount to newbies.
So shop around on websites you may not have used before, especially if looking to buy items that are not unique to one brand.
For example, big sellers at this time of year are black boots — always a great staple for winter. So if you want to get the best deal, have a look around at places that you might not have thought to look at in the past.
Buy in bundles on resale sites
THE secondhand market keeps growing — thanks to apps such as Vinted.
Not only can you get some great deals at more affordable prices, sometimes you can even bag pieces that are brand new, with the tags still on.
You can also look for bundles, so if you see more than one item from one seller that you like, consider buying some more for an even bigger discount. That way, you save on shipping costs, too.
These apps are all about the haggle, so it is always a good idea to make an offer of what you would be willing to pay.
It pays to do research first
Studying the high street may sound slightly serious, but it can really come in handy.
Read reviews and articles, and watch TikTok videos before you go shopping. It could save you time and money.
For example, I’ve tried on over a hundred pairs of jeans, tested white T-shirts and boots and written about them online.
Also here at Fabulous we have a brand new series on our YouTube channel Life. Styled! by Fabulous, where we show the trends of the season with all different price points.
It is a great way to see what is available on the high street without having to go searching for yourself.
Genuine designer at discounted prices
IF you are after a real designer item, but don’t want to pay full price, look at websites such as Brand Alley.
You need to set up an account before you shop, but it is totally free and gives discounts of up to 80 per cent.
Or head to designer outlets such as Bicester Village or Cheshire Oaks (pictured).
There are more than 35 dotted across the country and they offer great deals on some of your favourite brands.
Don’t forget that most of these designer labels have sales, just like regular stores, so activate alerts on your favourites so you get advance warning on when sales are coming up.
Loyalty cards equal big savings
LOTS of big brands offer loyalty cards that can land you points to put toward buying fashion items.
For example, buy from Tu at Sainsbury’s with credit you have built up on the supermarket’s Nectar card.
F&F at Tesco also has a whole host of exclusive sales on clothes, only for Clubcard members.
Marks & Spencer is another brand with a great loyalty scheme — its Sparks card gives multiple offers throughout the year, on everything from kids’ clothes to denim.
Or if you are an H&M member, it allows you to access a host of exclusive sales and deals on fashion.
Claim cashback through apps
THERE are lots of cashback apps out there, which allow you to be rewarded with money or gift cards in exchange for shopping.
Apps such as TopCashback have partnered with more than 5,000 retailers, so when you shop at one of these brands via the cashback site, you earn money which you can either withdraw or spend on something else.
This is a great way of earning on items you were planning to buy anyway.
You can also get cashback via many banking apps.
The likes of TSB, Halifax, NatWest and Monzo have partnerships with stores where you can earn money just by using your card.
Some offer discounts too, you just need to apply them to your account.
Get £5 each time you recycle
LOTS of retailers offer money back for your old clothes. It is a great way to help the environment while also getting money off your next purchase.
If you take a pair of old shoes back to Schuh you can get a £5 voucher off your next pair.
At River Island, you can bring at least three pieces of clothing for the store to recycle and receive a £5 voucher.
If you are a My John Lewis member, you can get £5 off its fashion rental service when you donate five items, while New Look is offering 15 per cent off when you give clothes to a hospice charity.
A feel-good deed with a cash reward — it’s a win-win.
