I Asked My Colleagues What I Should Buy With £150—Here's What They Suggested
Working as a fashion editor has its advantages. Day in and day out, we meticulously examine collections and scour the internet in search of noteworthy items that we can't wait to share with you. If you're a regular Who What Wear UK reader, you're already aware that we strive to feature a diverse range of prices and brands. This includes popular selections from the high street that have captivated our fellow fashion editors and influencers, investment-worthy purchases that truly justify your hard-earned cash, and hidden gems from independent brands that deserve recognition.
It's through our combined years spent exploring the shopping space that we're able to determine what's going to work hard in a wardrobe and what's going to end up simply taking up space. Given the current landscape, where everyone's budgets are carefully considered, we need to be more thorough than ever, not just in finding pieces we think will be of value to you, but in being more discerning about the items we actually want to buy for ourselves, too. As such, our on-site edits have become tighter—and so have our personal shopping wish lists.
So, as we embark on the autumn season (and I look to treat myself with some of my payday earnings), I decided to ask our in-house style experts to narrow down their wish lists to just a couple of items that they have their eye on right now, with the caveat that each item has to be £150 or under. Interest piqued? Scroll on to see our editors' respective affordable shopping picks. Enjoy!
Hannah Almassi, Editor-in-Chief
Shop Hannah's Picks:
"Crochet on the high street can be very basic and cheap-looking, but this delicate and detailed fabric from Whistles is truly astounding! It comes with a matching pencil skirt and I love the idea of wearing this on holiday with a high-coverage black bikini underneath..”
"Is it terrible that I've already ordered these Zara kitten heels in both blue and green? I get a feeling that they'll go with so many outfits, fancy or casual, and be the kind of summer shoes I come back to time and again."
"Skirt sets are my current weakness, and this darling one from Free People is just so unique. From the nautical stripes to the brown/white colour combo, everything about it is really different from the competition."
"I'm never not looking for neutral, minimal, elegant pieces that seem like they could be designer. Enter: this drop-waist Albaray skirt. I'll add a vintage belt and it'll look much more expensive than it's price tag."
"I saw editor Rebecca Rhys-Evans wearing these earrings for a shoot and I was instantly taken! I love a giant gold disc earring of any variety, but these artsy sunflowers are particularly romantic."
Remy Farrell, Fashion Editor
Shop Remy's Picks:
"Simple, but effective. With Nothing Underneath's seersucker co-ord is the kind of expensive-looking outfit that gives the impression that you spent ages getting ready (even if it took five minutes). I'd wear these boxers time and again with a slouchy sweatshirt or a tank top.”
"If you haven't checked out the Zara site lately, you'll have missed the red hot renaissance happening in the new-in section. I've been obsessed with this billowing shirt since it first landed, and every time a size sells out it gets closer to making its way out of my wish list and into my basket. Next up, the red trousers to match.”
"Slow summer is steadily becoming my favourite season, largely due to the excuse to wear pieces like this without the accompanying sticky heatwave Sure, spring has pretty dresses and autumn has cosy knits, but you won't get chicer (or more comfortable) than these dressed-up flip flops with a flowy midi. It's the kind of transitional shoe that you'll be wearing next spring too.”
"Bravo Monikh and Daphine! This jewellery fan is totally sold on all of the glossy stones, cord necklaces and molten cuffs that make up the Monikh Vol II collection. These pieces are everything I want to wear with my summer wardrobe."
Rebecca Rhys-Evans, Senior Fashion and Beauty Editor, Branded Content
Shop Rebecca's Picks:
"Last year's jorts trend isn't going anywhere, but it has evolved. Whilst in 2023 we were loving frayed denim shorts, this season we're looking to neaten things up with hemmed versions that have a slightly longer cut, much like a tailored Bermuda short. The secret to pulling these off is to ensure they have a slightly wider leg and end above the knee. I love this deeper mid-blue wash pair from Gap, and the way they're styled simply here—with loafers, a belt and white shirt—is perfection, IMHO"
"There's not a day that goes by where I don't thank the kitten heel trend for smartening up my office wardrobe. Where I once would have been either underdressed in sneakers or uncomfortable in a mid-heel mule, I'm now able to walk to and from work with one pair of elevated shoes. As brown is overtaking black as the dark neutral hue this year, I have my eyes on these from Charles & Keith."
"Everyone loves linen in summer, but all linen pieces I own seem to be white. Aligne's tomato red waistcoat is the perfect bold colour alternative—with jeans, a white tee and big gold earrings, this will be the perfect transitional outfit."
"Maybe it's because I've spent too much time on TikTok, or watched one too many episodes of Sex and the City, but I can't seem to shake my recent obsession for bandanas. This one from Anthropologie caught my eye because I'm a huge advocate for crochet, especially in summer. If you too experience bad hairs at festivals or the beach, this accessory is for you."
Poppy Nash, Managing Editor
Shop Poppy's Picks:
"I love a white mini dress in summer and just know I’ll get so much wear of out this. For work (when summer finally arrives!) I’ll pair it with some sleek strappy sandals and on holiday I’ll throw it over my bikini."
"I never used to be a hat girl, but over the last year I have found myself gravitating towards them more and more. This raffia bucket-style number has caught my attention because not only does it look super chic, but it’s also easy to travel with, unlike a traditional wide-brim iteration."
"This is the year that I finally invest in some linen trousers and after hearing so many of my colleagues rave about these, I think they’re definitely worth a try. I’m opting for the cream, but they also come in black, navy and brown."
"I think this blouse is just so pretty. Yes, it will look lovely with jeans (blue or white, take your pick) but I’ll also wear it with tailored shorts and kitten heels for after-work drinks or dinner with my friends."
Florrie Alexander, Acting Affiliate Editor
Shop Florrie's Picks:
"Basket bag season returns with every summer, and this year I'm looking for one that will go the distance. The hard part is choosing between the chic striped version or the sleek all black style."
"Summer is all about ease, and this reliable neutral dress just calls for accessories to put together a warm-weather look. Play with a monochromatic look or let the cream work hard with accents of bold shades."
"Free People is known for their brilliant dresses, and predict the Onda is about to become a new favourite. Featuring a sleek v-waistline and a-line silhouette, this can easily go from picnic in the park to evening al fresco drinks with the swap of a shoe"
"Fashion people have already declared that its set to be a flat shoe summer, and I'm tapping into two trends with COS's mesh style shoes. This pair is destined to bring a contemporary edge to any outfit."
"We all know just how useful a classic linen shirt is, but on the hottest days I'm looking to short sleeve styles to stay cool yet put together."
This story was published at an earlier time and has since been updated.
Next Up: The 9 Most Expensive-Looking Pieces on the High Street This Week
Maxine Eggenberger is Who What Wear UK’s deputy editor and has over thirteen years of experience in fashion journalism. She been creating engaging and elevated style content specifically for Who What Wear UK since 2018, covering runway reports, emerging trends, long-form features, self-styled shopping stories and columns, including her edit of the best new-in buys. She ensures the highest editorial standards are met across the site, leads the editorial team in their SEO strategy and keyword planning, works closely with the beauty team on content initiatives, represents the brand at industry events, and regularly contributes to social media, including her own Who What Wear UK TikTok franchise, French Style Fridays. Previously, Maxine appeared on ITV's This Morning in her own fashion segment and has interviewed countless celebrities—everyone from Victoria Beckham to Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o.
Prior to Who What Wear UK, Maxine’s career began when, after completing her first-ever internship at Look magazine, she was offered a position on the brand's fashion desk. She accepted, leaving university a year early in the process. Her passion and natural talent for writing and styling meant she swiftly rose through the ranks to become the title's fashion news and commercial content editor, with a stint as InStyle.co.uk’s fashion and beauty writer along the way. She later served as Look’s acting Editor in Chief, overseeing both print and digital, before embarking on a successful freelance career, working with Grazia, The Pool, and Marie Claire amongst others.
Maxine is based remotely from her countryside home near Edinburgh where she spends her downtime renovating her house, walking her dogs, hosting friends and trying to master the art of making Old Fashioned cocktails.
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