I'm A High Street Gal And Proud!

I've never claimed to be anything other than a high street girl.

I may feature a wealth of designers which I think are wonderful and unique but their primary function in my life is to provide me inspiration. A detail, a drape, a colour, anything I see that could spark an idea or send me off exploring a sartorial direction. I really am not a label snob in any, way, shape or form.

And truth to tell, since I have been broke I realise even more the power of finding something for much cheapness and making it look like it cost ten times the price. Even if I had money, I doubt I'd fill my closet with designer garb.

I have given my love before to All Saints but last night whilst waiting for my Prince to meet me in town, I took a wander in and was shocked to discover how much they'd jacked up the prices. £230 for a chiffon dress, over £300 for a wool coat? You're 'avin' a laugh ain't cha?! I turned my nose up at the cheek of them and marched out the shop in disgust. I'll stick with good old Topshop ta very much.

I also confess that I am an ASOS fiend, as many of my ASOS purchases attest to. The styling is a bit naff but you will find some great things if you persist.

Today I was loving some pieces by two of their 'indie' designers:

Natalie Encarnita, also stocked at Pixie Market

These pieces reminded me of aeroplanes.

And Love Our Stuff, also stocked in store at The Laden Showroom

I must admit though that I am pleased they are moving away from the celebrity comparisons, which was a bit cringy for me personally. I put my hands up and freely say, loud and proud, that I couldn't give a rats arse what Ashley Olsen is wearing.

Queen Michelle

Comments

[bluehammer]

Funny seeing this post, I've been thinking a lot about this subject, because somehow I've lost the ability to do it. Everywhere people are writing about Top Shop and mixing high-low, and all the designer collaborations e.g. H&M, but every time I go into one of the stores, everything feels so poorly made or flimsy or scratchy to me. Shoes are the worst, I'd love to benefit from Carvela and Kurt Geiger and Nine West, but the finish is always a little crispy, and wearing them makes me feel miserable, so it ends up being a false economy. I know what you mean about the pleasure of having something that looks like it cost more - e.g. I had an Elie Tahari skirt a while ago, and the following season Prada did something very similar. Result! But I do seem to be entrenched in the upper end of the high street and the lower end of the designers. I guess I have become a label whore.

[jules]

I totally agree, i've been with all saints since the opened their first shop and i gave up this season, who wants to pay that much for high street chain products if I could get a westwood dress for the same price!? and their sale is far from generous too. asos are funny as i have to try to imagine how an item would look on me compared tothe page three stunnas they use on the website.

[Sarah Edwina Rose]

Agreed, I love Asos! They seem to have dropped the 'as seen on so and so' approach now which is very comforting.

[Liberty London Girl]

Nothing wrong with the High Street. A few seasons ago I styled a load of magazines for big British shopping centres, and was really amazed at the quality of clothes that my assistant was able to source. (Of course, I knew that there was gd stuff out there, but not just how good it was...) LLGxx

[Mhairi]

I agree,I love finding a bargain & do tend to wait for the sales. I do love All Saints although the quality leaves a lot to be desired, I got a £120 blouse from their a couple of weeks ago for £36 bringing it down to more of a 'high street price'.

[sarah]

i agree with you that i would not spend my money that way, even if i had it! there is nothing inspiring about someone who spends thousands of dollars on designer shoes or clothes in my opinion. it is not original or creative in any way. and to think of all the travel the could do with that money, or education, or something else, anything else really.

[Deborah]

I totally agree with you on the whole designer thing. If I do buy designer clothes, it's from vintage shops or off of ebay. There is no reason to spend $1500 on a handbag. For $2000 I spent 3 weeks in Europe (in pretty nice hotels). So whenever I see something that costs that much I just think-that's 3 weeks in Europe! Ridiculous!

[Sal]

I've often wondered ... if I were ridiculously wealthy would I suddenly want to fill my closet with designer duds? I think, like you, I wouldn't. I'd rather keep to what I like, regardless of who made it ... and most of that can be seen and bagged on the high street.

[Tonia]

I love the ASOS dresses, you just inspired me to max out my visa there, damn you =P

http://labelleetlaitgirl.wordpress.com

[J]

And that is what I respect about your style - that it encourages imagination rather than just passive consumption. I like it.

[KD]

I agree with J! I have to admit though, if I was wealthy, I probably wouldn't buy much H&M - I'd try to buy indie designers. Although I would definitely buy from AA and Topshop, just not so much H&M/Primark ilk.

[Milly]

You are like my very own style editor some days! Saving me having to trawl cyber to get to the goodies - I wish I had the patience for ASOS but I just can't do it but that dress I love and with a direct link provided it would be rude not to buy!

[enc]

I'd throw it all away for that super-low-backed strappy gray dress.

[Shini]

You should put that last line on a tshirt, cuz I absolutely agree - I couldn't give a rats arse what Ashley Olsen (Or any celebrity) is wearing.

[anthea]

Wow those are some cool pieces. It's tough being on a budget! I love the structured airplane looks and that backless number. Great feature.

[Helen-LG]

ASOS do have some great stuff, the occasional dud too though, their sizing is sometimes off - I was a 16 in on pair of ASOS trousers but a 12 in another! - and sometimes the 'as seen on' stuff isn't remotely like the item it's compared to. I wish they'd drop that to be honest - I don't by something to look like someone else. They've really blossomed I think though, from just the celeb style knock offs they now have some really interesting brands and new designers and some lovely pieces in their own range too.

I'm not a fan of All Saints either - I don't understand how they think they can justify the prices. I used to think the same of some of Reiss's stuff but I got a few bits in a sample sale in the autumn and now I'm completely converted; the quality of the materials and methods used is well worth it.

[Frankie - Swell Vintage]

Uh oh, I get paid tomorrow - I may well be buying...

Also, I'm so glad I'm not the only who thinks All Saints have become VERY expensive! It's rather upsetting.

x

[clairebear]

yeh i also hate asos' styling... and the models they use are a bit... well, chavvy... can be hard sometimes to see past it!

[brandi]

i want everything!

[LBD]

i love all those dresses! they make me want summer again, but here i am stuck in the withering cold weather :(

however, i admire MK and A...and i like to see what celebrities wear. then again, i like seeing what anyone with style wears. for inspiration, you know. :D

[Ma Petite Amy]

I have to agree with the Asos celebrity comparisons - they're cringe worthy. And the some-what waggy styled models...that aside they've a great selection!