British Designer Brands on the High Street

I'm currently experiencing a bit of a pivotal moment in my fashion life. Look back into the Little Bird archives and a year ago, you'll see I was almost always head-to-toe Primark, Zara or H&M. Fast fashion was my thing and my wardrobe was full of once-worn impulse buys.

In the last 6 months I've overhauled the way I think about clothing. I do still like trends and I'm far from a stranger to the Zara fitting rooms, but now I find myself looking for quality pieces that will last rather than the latest neon sheath coming out of East London. I love Whistles and NW3 by Hobbs, don't understand the appeal of Nasty Gal (surely the name says it all?) and am already planning my second Mulberry purchase. It'd be easy to become a fashion snob, but rather than paying full whack for beautiful brands I hunt high and low for ways to save, which stops me from slipping into Made in Chelsea mode. 

Dress, Uniqlo x Orla Kiely | Jacket, Clements Ribeiro via TK Maxx (c/o)  | Brogues, Somerset by Alice Temperley at John Lewis (c/o) | Bag, Mulberry via factory shop | Bracelets and ring, H&M

In today's outfit I'm wearing pretty much head-to-toe designer clothing... all of it purchased on the high street or at discount shops. The only item that cost more than £150 is the Mulberry bag, and even that was almost 50% off the original RRP.

Spending £500 on a shirt or £2,000 on a handbag is insane to me. I don't have that kind of money, but even if I did I'd be reluctant to spend it on clothing - maybe it's the Yorkshire lass in me. Capsule designer collections available on the high street, like Somerset by Alice Temperley at John Lewis or Orla Kiely at Uniqlo, mean I can wear the brands I love without remortgaging my house (and I don't even own a house).





TK Maxx has long been a favourite of mine for snagging designer bargains at reduced prices - the Clements Ribeiro bouclé jacket I'm wearing here is current season and cost £44.99 down from £250. My Mulberry is from the York factory shop which I highly recommend if you want a piece from this beautiful British heritage brand - they also have factory shops in Somerset, Oxfordshire (Bicester Village) and Cheshire Oaks. The dress is from Orla Kiely's range for Uniqlo and cost less than £20, and the brogues are Somerset by Alice Temperley at £130. You couldn't get designer pieces for such low prices from a main collection, so these high street alternatives are an affordable way to wear the hottest names in British fashion.

Have you bought anything from a designer/high street collaboration collection? Ever found a high end bargain in TK Maxx or an outlet shop? Let me know what you think and share your advice on luxe for less shopping in the comments.