Wish List Mondays #38 - The Look For Less

So I know I've been absent for a while. What with putting down a deposit on my own flat (and feeling super grown-up about it), working 12-hour days, and getting back into the dating scene, I've hardly had a moment to breathe. Or more importantly: shop. Which is why this Wish List has been a couple of weeks in the making, but months in the pipeline. Remember that show a few years ago in which Gok Wan went up against some American troll of a "stylist", trying to convince the nation that he could make High Street look High-End? Well, I thought I'd have a shot at it. So this week, I've put together three looks: Casual, Work, and Party - each with one high-priced, designer bought items, the other with entirely High Street finds. If that doesn't make sense, hopefully it will once you scroll down (it's been a long week).

CASUAL
For the purpose of this article, I am going to call myself a stylist. And what does every stylist have to have? Inspiration, mon cher. Well, my inspiration behind this look is a transitional 'weekend casual' - what you might see in any British park, or shopping arcade, come the weekend. It's part-pretty, part-grunge, and 100% "now". 

DESIGNER
1. Scalloped Lace and Jersey Dress by Marc by Marc Jacobs, Net-a-Porter, £290. Buy it here.
2. Men's Chunky Ribbed Wool Cardigan by Dolce & Gabbana, Mr Porter, £650. Buy it here.
3. 'Alexa' Satchel in Deer Brown Hair Calf, Mulberry, £2,500. Buy it here.
4. 'Christi' Hidden Wedge Boots by Isabel Marant, Matches, £410. Buy them here.
5. Cashmere Cable Socks, Pringle of Scotland, £75.
TOTAL: £3,925

HIGH STREET
6. Cutwork Tea Dress, Topshop, £50. Buy it here.
7. Knitted Cardigan, H&M, £25. Buy it here.
8. 'Times Table' Leather Satchel, Clarks, £80. Buy it here.
9. 'Moonlit Cool' Leather Suede Ankle Boots, Clarks, £70. Buy them here.
10. Fairisle Socks, ASOS, £3. Buy them here.
TOTAL: £228


WORK
If you work in an office dominated by men (I work in fashion, so no such luck for me), it's all about power dressing. Shirts, tux pants, soft - yet strong - tailoring, and heels are a must. Massively intimidating black bag optional, but advised.

DESIGNER
1. Wide Leg Tuxedo Trousers by Antonio Berardi, Matches, £888. Buy them here.
2. 'Grace' Washed Silk Shirt by Equipment, Net-a-Porter, £240. Buy it here.
3. Faux Suede and Mesh Pumps by Stella McCartney, Net-a-Porter, £490. Buy them here.
4. 'Cabas Chic' Medium Leather Shopper by Saint Laurent, Net-a-Porter, £1,540.
TOTAL: £3,158

HIGH STREET
5. Suit Trousers, Mango, £20. Buy them here.
6. Silk Blouse, H&M, £40. Buy it here.
7. 'Alma Kendra' Black Suede Pump, Clarks, £55. Buy them here.
8. Leather Bag with Metal Tab, Zara, £109. Buy it here.
TOTAL: £224


PARTY
As Summer rolls to a close, and the nights start to get longer, people tend to have more parties. "Dark corners for dark deeds" and all that. Queue the LBD. It's been languishing in your cupboard for over six months, so time to give it an update with some statement heels and a gorgeous clutch - roll on midnight, Cinderella.

DESIGNER
1. Lace Mini Dress by Dolce & Gabbana, Matches, £2,060. Buy it here.
2. Blue Suede Sandals by Giuseppe Zanotti, Net-a-Porter, £450. Buy them here.
3. 'The Knot' Intrecciato Satin Clutch by Bottega Veneta, Net-a-Porter, £990. Buy it here.
TOTAL: £3,500

HIGH STREET
4. 'Rochelle' Ribbon Dress, French Connection, £180. Buy it here.
5. 'On and On' Blue Wedges, Office, £50. Buy them here.
6. Horn Clutch by Vince Camuto, Kurt Geiger, £105. Buy it here.
TOTAL: £335


I'm not Gok Wan. I'm not going to sit here and call you "gorjuz baby doll", and tell you to "work it, hunny". I know designer looks better than High Street. That's why it's more expensive. But the High Street exists for the purpose of getting the look that celebrities are wearing, for a fraction of the cost. And hey, Britain does this pretty well. In my opinion, British fashion defines itself by its High Street. Those 'most fashionable' aren't the ones you see dressed head-to-toe in Versace, Dolce, or MiuMiu. They're the ones who mix Topshop with Temperley, Primark with Prada, Gap with Gucci. And that's something to be commended. 

Love,
Belle x