The 9 Most Expensive-Looking Pieces on the High Street This Week
I shop for a living, so I know a chic buy when I see one—below you'll find the affordable pieces that caught my eye this week that genuinely look five times their actual price.
Finding high-street buys that look like designer is my hidden talent. Keep scrolling to see my top picks this week.
We all want to look like our most polished selves, don’t we? Whilst, sadly, I can't provide you with a week at a spa or an endless allowance to spend at The Row, I can bring you a treasure trove of the most expensive-looking pieces on the high street every week. It’s my mission to prove that you can find premium items to elevate your wardrobe without the designer price tag, and to make it easy for you to pinpoint the bits that are really worth adding to your wardrobe.
There are some amazing gems out there that your friends won’t believe aren’t designer, but there's also a lot to sift through in order to find them. That’s where I come in. As a Who What Wear UK editor, I scroll new-in sections as a hobby, and can spot an expensive-looking, luxe-feeling piece a mile away. I’ll be adding the best bits I find to this list. Some may be more "affordable" than others, but you can be confident that everything is here because I believe it offers great value for your wardrobe and your pocket.
September is officially here, and whether you're desperately soaking up the last of the sunshine or ready for the respite of cooler days, we're all thinking about our autumn capsule wardrobes. Heading into the new season, I'm ready to stock up on some capsule wardrobe heroes whilst also adding a personal edge with fresh trends that are now on the rise.
This week, it's time to lean into autumn dressing. The arrival of showers has welcomed back the trusty trench coat, and if you don't yet have one in your collection, Anthropologie's funnel-neck style should be on your radar. Long-sleeve blouses are taking over from our short-sleeve styles, and it might even be time to layer in a knit in autumn 2026's trending colourway. Silhouette is making our high street buys look high-end, from perfectly cut trousers to sculptural heels. Now to the good part—keep scrolling to shop the most expensive-looking pieces on the high street right now.
Shop The Most Expensive-Looking High-Street Items:
Trench coats are set to return to pride of place in our wardrobes as the weather cools and the damper days roll in. If you're ready to add this timeless staple to your wardrobe consider this contemporary style with bold funnel-neck collar and oversized silhouette.
Mark my words, this will be the next Zara buy to sell out. With intricate embroidery, a lace collar and flared cuffs, this blouse could easily pass for triple the price.
A back-to-school feeling is in the air, and I'm looking to upgrade my workwear wardrobe. Enter Mint Velvet's sleek barrel leg trousers that balance classic and cool in equal measure.
Cobalt is fast becoming the shade of the season, and this knit will bring a bold pop of colour to my neutral looks.
There's a very designer feel to this sleek bag.
COS's cool technical jacket has sold out in so many shades, but I'm so glad the off-white version is back in stock. Pair with bolder shades, neutrals and plenty more. Plus, it's the perfect light layer for autumn and spring.
Reformation has so many sleek tops to take your jeans, tailoring and skirts to evening.
I'm ready to slip back into boots and the architectural heel of this Vagabond pair make it look incredibly expensive. Sleek, timeless and sure to outlast the moving trends.
Levi's are experts in denim, and the latest style to join its stellar lineup are the low straight jeans. I just know they'll be a staple in so many great wardrobes in no time.
Shop More Expensive-Looking High-Street Items:
Trust COS to refine knitwear to the point where it looks triple the price. Even though the weather is mild, I'll be snapping this up for cooler evenings.
Zara's denim collection is the strongest its been in years. Now, the high street hero brings another silhouette to the table, a softly sculpted curve that sits between straight-leg and barrel with serious ease in the drape.
Personally, I don't want to scramble for a great autumn jacket last minute, so I'm already on the hunt for excellent outerwear. Enter Massimo Dutti's tonal trench coat which will blend with neutrals or bold shades seamlessly.
If the COS Trullo bag has also been all over your social media feeds, you'll be pleased to know its finally here! The supple leather, spacious interior and understated look exudes that designer feel we're seeing in investment pieces. Expect this to fly out of stock.
Smart trousers are a staple in so many great wardrobes, and this affordable pair went straight in my basket.
A light jacket will ease your wardrobe into the new season. Wear as is, or cinch the hem to create a striking silhouette.
From the collarless design to the sculpted shape, this shirt is a standout.
These 100% leather flats immediately went on my wish list. I have a similar pair that I wear with everything from dresses to denim to tailoring to shorts.
Now for a switch up from out autumn staples—the pretty dress. If you have any reason to dress up in your calendar this dress is sure to induce compliments.
As light jackets slowly return to our wardrobes, I'm looking for a blazer with a little difference. Luckily, Massimo Dutti knows exactly what I need: a soft tonal shade, sharp shoulders and bold stand collar/
Nobody's Child may be known for its dresses, but its pretty blouse selection is just as stellar. Layer with satin trousers, tailoring and relaxed denim.
Sézane's new collection has launched, and through a host of cosy knitwear and standout jackets I found this designer-looking style. Canvas bags are the perfect transitional piece to move out of our raffia totes, and this one has a seriously high-end appeal. Find it on so many editor's wish lists right now.
If you're as dedicated to the jeans-and-a-nice-top duo as I am, you'll be pleased to see H&M's new style. The fluttering sleeves, fitted waist and tie back has placed this firmly on my wish list.
Comfortable light trousers will be the most hard-working piece in your transitional wardrobe. And Zara brings a fresh twist with the barrel-leg silhouette.
When my outfits aren't quite hitting, I know I just need to layer on statement jewellery.
H&M has officially restocked its best-selling cashmere knit! With a soft silhouette, bold ribbed cuffs and a rich shade, it's no surprise that this style sells out every single year.
Many of us are currently restocking our capsule wardrobes, and a pair of classic straight-leg jeans will always be a worthwhile addition.
These M&S loafers stopped me in my tracks. They look at least triple the price tag, with soft ruching and a croc effect to make this pair a standout. Plus, M&S loafers are known for being seriously comfortabel.
Zara's viral autumn jacket is back again! Last year, it sold out in a matter of weeks. This time I won't miss out.
Now that the weather is starting to cool, this blouse is ready to take over from my short sleeve versions and bring a dainty polish to my early autumn outfits.
The tailoring of these trousers could easily convince anyone that they're a designer buy. Add to your forever wardrobe now.
Supple, slouchy bags are a key style right now, and this is the most expensive-looking style I've found on the high street.
If you're wondering where to find sumptuous cashmere on the high street, COS would be my personal recommendation. This cosy cardigan was a best-seller last year, and now its back in a fresh blue shade to revitalise your wardrobe in time for autumn.
With trousers and jeans about to return in a big way, I've been on the hunt for pretty tops that will make my staples look incredibly elevated. Enter Ninety Percent's Orla top.
If your classic jeans could do with a fresh infusion, look to this sleek pair from Abercrombie. The waistless design is streamlined, focusing on clean lines and a relaxed silhouette.
I've already started setting my sandals aside in favour of sleek loafers. Marks & Spencer's styles are known for their refined look and comfort.
My late-summer and early autumn calendars are full of reasons to get dressed up, and this & Other Stories dress is sure to look the part for all occasions. Style with tonal accessories or make the most of the versatile brown shade with bold shades.
I'm readying my wardrobe for autumn's arrival, and the first thing on my list is a lightweight jacket. Enter H&M's sleek trench style, which will inevitably sell out before the new season even arrives.
I'm not ready to give up the sweet effect of blouses, so I'm turning to long sleeve versions to bring a pretty touch to my autumn looks. Nobody's Child has so many great styles right now.
A little known secret amongst fashion editors is that & Other Stories does seriously expensive-looking bags. Take this woven style, it's spacious, sleek and primed to become your everyday companion.
The fit! The neckline! The denim wash! Abercrombie's new top is all I can think about right now.
Barrel-leg cuts have cemented themselves as a classic cut for fashion people. Now, Zara offers a seriously sleek silhouette in a fresh white shade which will rejuvenate autumn basics throughout the new season.
If I have to hang up my trusty sandals, I'm happy to do so for these sleek ballet flats. Crafted from smooth leather and with a soft rounded toe, this timeless pair will bring a refined edge to all your looks from now on.
It's true, COS's best-selling cashmere is officially back in stock. As it tends to sell out every single year, I'm getting ahead of the rush.
There's a back to school feel in the air and I'm ready to update my workwear wardrobe. First on the list are these polished trousers.
Zara's belted shirt dress comes back every single season (and sells out every time). Now, a soft pink version has released which is already moving fast.
I picked this blouse and the matching skirt up a few weeks ago and have worn them on repeat in the city and abroad since.
I added these exact jeans to my wardrobe a few weeks ago and I've had so many questions about them ever since. Finally, they're back in stock!
COS's Paradigm bag sold out instantly. Now it's back in a smaller version that is the perfect everyday style.
The frog-fastening trend is here to stay, and Aligne is leading the seasonal switchover with this sleek satin version. Mark my words, it won't stick around for long.
I honestly did a double take when I saw this as I was convinced it was a designer buy that's been sitting on my wish list. In fact, it's a sleek alternative from J.Crew.
These Zara shorts are polished, timeless and finally back in stock!
H&M has reworked the simple denim dress into a striking silhouette, and naturally it's already in my basket. Pair with neutral tones or go bold with vibrant red accessories.
In the blink of an eye, we'll be layering jackets back into our wardrobes. If you're ready to get ahead of the inevitable sell out, I'd snap this sweet check style up now.
The kind of dress that makes getting ready in warm weather incredibly easy. I love the pintuck detailing, which gives the relaxed linen silhouette a much more elevated feel.
The rich brown leather and woven finish make this look seriously premium
A best-seller for a reason. COS always gets trouser shapes right, and this barrel-leg pair is no exception.
A polished blouse that looks far more expensive than its price tag suggests
An effortless summer dress you'll reach for whenever you don't know what to wear. The halterneck silhouette does all the work, so you can keep everything else simple.
Bermuda shorts are still going strong, and this linen-blend pair are already a fashion-person favourite.
There's something so chic about an easy matching set, and the inky navy shade makes this one feel especially elevated. Wear the pieces together now, then style the shirt with denim when temperatures dip.
If you prefer your denim classic, this '90s-inspired straight-leg shape is hard to beat.
Personally, I think that the best dresses are ones that can be restyled for all occasions. For day, add sandals to this dress, or take to evening with mules, swapping in ballet flats for your office commute.
COS is known for its excellent denim, and this new style is set to join it's best-seller lineup.
Well done & Other Stories. This bag looks so incredibly high-end, no one will believe its from the high street.
It may not be jacket season yet, but already the best new styles are selling fast. Personally, I don't want to miss out on this cool Topshop style.
From the shade to the shirring to the puff sleeves, this Whistles dress is just so pretty.
The dainty Mabel Tank comes in four refined colourways. Now, I'm stuck on which one to go for...
A pair of sleek leather sandals will work hard in your summer wardrobe every single year.
Soft ruching and a flowy skirt? Yes, please.
Zara's viral jacket is back, now in a breathable linen version. Don't wait around, this is sure to sell out fast!
If you like your trousers bold, refined and summer-ready, look no further. These are the kinds of trousers that will move seamlessly with your wardrobe for all plans, from work outfits to elegant evenings on far-flung islands.
Take a moment to appreciate all the pretty details that make up this striking dress. Seriously, no one will guess that this is from the high street.
Anthropologie's Calla bag is so beloved that the brand brought it out in a bigger size for those who like a little more room. Now, a new shade has arrived, and I just know it's going to be an instant favourite.
This whole look is exactly what I want to wear this weekend. Swap in a simple Tee, an oversized shirt or an embellished crop top to restyle this skirt for various occasions.
My linen shirts have been working overtime, and now I'm looking for something a little different. Enter Zara's lace-trim version, ready to bring a relaxed edge to my looks.
If you're looking to add a sleek touch to your summer looks, consider layering in a pair of silk trousers. Pair with pretty blouses, simple Tees or oversized shirts.
Anthropologie's dress collection year is the strongest to date. Dress down with sandals or take to all new heights with a sleek mule.
The Alohas Ola flip-flops are all over my feed right now, and whilst they come in playful shades and a cool studded version, I just know this refined brown pair will work overtime in my wardrobe.
Airy, lightweight and seriously timeless—the Sifnos trousers will be a well-loved summer staple every single year.
If you haven't explore Gap's pretty top selection, take this as your sign!
For those who like their skirts minimalist yet impactful.
Trust me—this pretty dress will sell out fast. It's already sitting in my basket.
Mango teased these a few weeks ago, and finally they've officially dropped. Renew your summer palette instantly with these suede red sandals.
On the hottest time, I have little patience for stringing together outfits. That's when a reliable co-ord comes into its own, and Reformation's style is a breezy linen two piece that can be mixed and matched a hundred ways this summer.
COS gets the balance on classic and contemporary so right. These smart shorts will earn their keep in your wardrobe year after year.
I was missing a really staple skirt in my wardrobe that could move between work and weekends until I found this Zara style. It comes in a few chic colourways, and I might have to snap up more than one.
I immediately stopped scrolling when I came across this bag. Anthropologie is known for curating a selection of handbags that have a distinctly elegant look. Just wait—you'll be seeing this bag everywhere very soon.
