Topshop Has Relaunched: 16 Pieces That Remind Me of Its Heyday
Ask anyone who has turned 30 in the past few years which brand had the most influence on their adolescent style, and they'll likely say Topshop. From my formative years spent stealing my mother's Topshop staples for Friday nights in my best friend's front room to landing my first-ever job with the brand the second I turned 16, Topshop was at the centre of my teenage universe. I'd try on the store's most recent deliveries during my lunch break, get a thrill out of introducing a customer to our best-selling jeans (long live the Jamie!) and eat up its going-out dresses like candy, particularly when I reached university age.
Although I have the memory of a goldfish, there's a part of my brain in which my Topshop purchases live rent-free. I remember buying a black jacket covered entirely by fringing from Kate Moss's first Topshop capsule and a red lace dress that I wore for my first date with my now-husband. In fact, my wedding shoes came from Topshop, too.
I started out my career in fashion when Topshop was still king. I worked for a high-street magazine, and Topshop was the brand that bridged all tastes, styles and aesthetics. The best pieces in every shoot would inevitably come from Topshop, and calling in samples for said shoots was a challenge to say the least, as every publication from Vogue to Dazed tried to get their hands on them for their latest editorials.
This, the nostalgia and the deep roots of the brand made it seem almost unreal when it was announced it was going into administration. Of course, this was a move every fashion editor had seen coming for a while, but the follow-through of seeing a Great British fashion institution close its doors was a sad day for the high street. But a ray of hope: Topshop had been acquired by ASOS, another shopping stalwart. Perhaps the magic of Topshop would be reimagined into a new digital concept. It's been a moment, but that time is now.
Topshop has officially relaunched, and after a few edits that didn't quite live up to its former glory, that Topshop magic has been recaptured and just in time for it to make a positive impact on our autumn wardrobes. It's clear to me that the design team has taken the task of rejuvenating the behemoth very seriously, resulting in an edit that will appease 30-somethings like me but also tempt Gen Z.
Amongst the trend-led pieces Topshop always did so well, there's a solid selection of more timeless items, too, with a honed focus on tailoring, accessories and outerwear. The shoe department looks strong, too, but will it be able to capture the mecca that was its Oxford Street shoe lounge? Time will tell. For now, though, it's a promising start. So what should you buy from Topshop? Perhaps start things off with my edit below. Oh, and those Jamie jeans? They're back, too.
SHOP MY TOPSHOP EDIT
Topshop always taps into the '90s mood so succinctly. Case in point: this faux-leather blazer.
Topshop always delivered on epic outerwear, so it's great to see some amazing styles come through for 2022.
The going-out dresses are just as good as I remembered.
Maxi hemlines were all over the runways. Now, they're all over Topshop's latest collection.
Topshop created a reversible bomber jacket in 2013 that sold out everywhere. Now, it's back at it with this denim-turned-fleece jacket.
I've been so impressed by the cut and fit of Topshop's trousers of late. Hopefully, this pair will follow suit.
With a squared-off toe and angular heel, this ankle boot looks just like a designer style I have my eye on.
It's not all of-the-moment pieces at Topshop 2.0. This trench is truly timeless.
That's right. The iconic Jamie jeans are back, and that's enough to convince me to try skinnies again.
Topshop has some of the best affordable tailoring of the season. This vest-and-trouser set is an excellent place to start.
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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