I'm finally prepared to admit it now–I'm actually really enjoying winter. After being dragged kicking and screaming out of summer, and tolerating the "too warm, too cold" transitional period that was autumn, I've actually come around to wrapping up in cosy layers and heading out into the bracing cold.
Despite it being generally quite dark and a brief flirtation with snow, British winters tend to be quite consistent, and the key to mastering winter dressing is all in the preparation (I have a coat for rain, a couple of coats for icy winds and a totally impractical coat for dressier events). But assembling the perfect cold-weather wardrobe doesn't have to cost the earth, and in fact the high street is one of the best places to stock up on winter essentials.
Where better to start than H&M, & Other Stories and ARKET, who have all served us well across the years and dropped some seriously impressive winter collections that might be their best yet. H&M's expensive-looking minimalist edit is the perfect place for wardrobe staples, & Other Stories fun and festive pieces bring the joy and colour that the bleak winter needs, and ARKET's brand of premium basics are guaranteed to elevate any look. Sound good? Then settle in.
With hundreds of new pieces landing on the sites every week, it can be difficult to trawl through to find the pieces that are a cut above the rest. And as Who What Wear's resident shopping editor and high street devotee, that’s where I come in. After scouring the new-in sections of H&M, & Other Stories and ARKET. I'm happy to share with you the best winter buys for every budget. Expect practical coats, chic knits, desk-to-dinner dresses and, of course, plenty of cosy accessories. So, keep scrolling to see and shop the 30 pieces that made the cut. You won't regret it.
THE BEST H&M WINTER BUYS UNDER £80:
The classic Breton, updated.
An easy winner you'll wear year in, year out.
Until it's warm enough for your regular blazer, try a textured, bouclé version.
Believe me when I say, the fit of this dress is second to none.
Something about this minimal, belted cardigan feels understated and elegant.
The best thing to wear when curled up indoors.
A party dress for when the temperatures drop.
The runways have spoken, and camel and brown are having a moment.
You'll find me in this ultra soft, fluffy coat for work, weekends and evenings.
Come rain or snow, you're prepared for anything in a sturdy knee-high boot.
THE BEST & OTHER STORIES WINTER BUYS UNDER £180:
A smart coat-meets-blazer for staying sharp in winter
Anyone who sees this will believe it's designer.
A cosy wool dress polished enough for evening wear too.
Fashion girls all agree, the bomber jacket is back.
It's impossible not to feel happier just by wearing this cute, colourful mohair knit.
All of this year's most sought after boots have one thing in common–an elegant, easy-to-wear heel.
Trust me, & Other Stories are striped jumper specialists, and the latest knit is a guaranteed bestseller.
Yes, you can wear shirt dress in winter too. Just make sure it's a ribbed knit.
Don't under estimate the power of a cosy beanie.
A shearling-meets-bomber that is the epitome of casual-cool.
THE BEST ARKET WINTER BUYS UNDER £250:
Just add leather trousers and a chunky Chelsea boot.
ARKET is our go-to for puffer coats, but their tailored wool coats are equally good.
Not new, but a chic vest that I keep coming back to for it's sheer versatility.
Seasonal colours in a large, cosy blanket scarf.
This chocolate brown colourway looks inarguably expensive.
Take tips on French girl styling and keep a buttoned bouclé effect cardigan in your wardrobe for easy layering.
These also come in black and blue, but burgundy are definitely the most stylish.
The perfect accompaniment to a wide leg trouser? An oversized roll-neck.
The It accessory in every fashion girl's wardrobe this winter–the knitted wool hood.
No need to contend with soggy gloves with a waterproof, lined mitten.
Up Next: Sienna Miller Just Wore the Winter Coat Trend Every Editor Is Buying Into
This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
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