The clocks have gone forward, raffia accessories have hit the shelves and the weather is finally warming up, all signalling the official start of the spring season – an exciting time for fashion fans.
With the work week winding down, you might find yourself wanting to add some updated pieces to your wardrobe to get ahead of the latest trends. But if you’re struggling for inspiration, we’ve got you covered.
Each week The Mirror’s fashion and beauty team scout out the creme de la creme from the high street so that you don’t have to, seeking out the best deals, viral sensations, soon-to-be sell outs, and designer lookalikes.
This week, we’ve uncovered gems from Cat Deeley’s wardrobe to Frankie Bridge’s vacation-ready outfits, as well as money-saving beauty boxes, accessories and more.
So grab a cuppa and your debit card and find out which picks we think deserve a spot in your shopping bag.
Cat Deeley’s khaki waistcoat
Waistcoats are really in fashion at the moment, and they’re more versatile than you might think. You can wear them with loose jeans and trainers for a casual look, or with matching trousers and smart shoes.
Last week, Cat Deeley had us rushing to the Mint Velvet website for this asymmetric number – a refreshing take on the spring trend that isn’t going anywhere.
Styled by David O’Brien, Cat wore the cool khaki waistcoat and matching trousers, leaning into her love of clean lines and tailored cuts. The outfit looked really smart but also relaxed, which is perfect for the ‘quiet luxury’ trend that’s popular right now.
The waistcoat has a V-neckline that’s just the right size so you can wear something underneath if you want to – like a white t-shirt – but it’s not too low if you prefer not to. You can buy her exact waistcoat in the shade for £99 here. Alternatively, find all of our favourite Cat Deeley outfits here.
Boots New & Trending beauty box
Health and beauty retailer Boots has come to the rescue of makeup and skincare enthusiasts with their latest beauty box.
The high street chain’s New & Trending Beauty Box features a selection of the latest brands to launch at the retailer, as well as those coveted beauty buys you’ve been seeing everywhere on social media. Worth over £145, shoppers can pick it up for £45, saving a whopping £100 on the contents, meaning you can stock up your makeup and skincare stash without totally splashing out.
Of the contents, nine of the products are full sized with the remaining five being deluxe samples, with some coming in really handy for travel wash bags or stocking fillers.
Here’s everything inside the Boots Beauty New & Trending Beauty Box for £45:
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BYOMA Barrier+ Reapir Treatment 50ml – full size
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ELF Power Grip Primer 24ml – full size
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Patchology SmartMud Mask 17g – full size
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Sol de Janeiro Delicia Drench Body Butter 25ml
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Curlsmith Hold Me Softly Style Balm
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REM Lustrous Liquid Eyeshadow 4ml – full size
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Baylis & Harding Kindness+ Hyaluronic Acid Body Wash – full size
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No7 Define & Enhance Mascara – full size
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Elvive Glycolic Gloss 200ml – full size
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First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub 30ml
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17 Highligher Wand 10ml – full size
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Natural Collection Clear Mascara 7ml – full size
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Elizabeth Arden 8hr Hydraplay 5ml
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Dermalogica Breakout Clearing Foam Wash 177ml
Read our full review of the box here, or head to the Boots website to snap it up before it sells out.
Frankie Bridge’s H&M linen trousers
While holidaying in The Maldives, it’s not just the sun, sea and sand that Frankie Bridge has us envying – it’s her holiday-ready wardrobe, too. Amongst her vacation favourites, the 35-year-old raved about a pair of high street linen trousers you can wear from the beach to the bar – and style them long after your holiday is through.
The former Saturday’s singer wore a pair of H&M’s £24.99 linen-blend trousers, which come in black and cream colourways. Made with 30% linen and 25% cotton, the lightweight and breathable material is ideal for keeping you cool in the warm weather while still covering up.
Frankie said: “One thing I’ll live in on holiday is linen trousers. Wear them with bikini tops or one pieces as your cover up, dress them up for dinner or wear out for a day trip. Such easy wearing and something you can wear time and time again. Love this little strapless top too, you could also put with shorts and a slip top to get more wear out of it.”
The smart tailored trousers feature a flattering high waist with a zip fly and concealed button, which make them a chic and elevated alternative to similar styles with elastic waistbands. You can shop Frankie’s exact pair here.
Uniqlo’s round mini crochet bag
If, like us, you’re a fan of the viral Uniqlo crossbody, then this is a playful take on the popular accessory. The Round Mini Crochet Bag takes the iconic and roomy design of the original and updates it with a paper fabric for a lightweight and spacious design.
Available in two colours, the cute and compact bag allows for hands-free wearing, making it ideal for holiday adventures, brunch dates and summer dog walks. Much like its OG predecessor, it also offers an adjustable strap so you can find the most comfortable fit, and at less than £25, it’s quite the bargain, too.
Find more of our favourite straw bags from the high street here.
M&S’s ‘rich girl cardigan’
If there’s one item you need to buy in 2024, it’s the ‘rich girl cardigan’, and I’ve found one on the high street that’s perfect for elevating your everyday looks and gives serious Sofia Richie vibes.
Available in ivory and navy colourways, the designer-inspired jacket boasts a chic collarless silhouette, with patch pockets and stylish metallic buttons at the front, which make it look even more expensive than it is.
It comes in at £75, but it’s fully lined and more substantial than most I’ve tried, and since a tweed jacket is a timeless classic that won’t go out of style, it’s worth spending that little bit extra on.
Marks and Spencer’s pure cotton tweed jacket not only nails the old money trend, but is 100 per cent cotton, and is a great investment piece for your collection. It’s pretty, polished and looks incredibly luxe for the price.
River Island’s pretty summer dress
On my hunt for an outfit for a spring wedding, I headed out to the high street and tried on dozens of options, but fell most in love with a River Island number under £50.
The Blue Satin Floral Tie Waist Swing Mini Dress immediately caught my eye in the store, not least for its striking floral design, but for its totally on-trend colour palette, too, with sky blue hues set to continue to be a major style theme in 2024.
The dress is made from a luxe-feeling satin fabric that drapes effortlessly over your frame and feels really flattering, nipping in at the waist before the skirt flows back out. The hem is complete with a ruffled detailing which makes it look even more expensive than its £40 price tag, while the floral design feels really timeless, meaning you can wear it year after year, too.
For a wedding, I’d pair this with some black strappy heels and a black bag and perhaps a padded headband, but as it goes, I tried it on with my black cowboy boots in store and realised it’s such a great way to tone the dress down for a more relaxed vibe, while leaning in to the cowboy core trend that’s dominating the high street this summer, thanks to Beyonce.
You can buy it here for £40 on the River Island website.
New Look’s could-be-designer sandals
Fresh from influencer Georgina Lennon’s Edit, the Black Leather-Look Chunky Sliders at New Look are giving designer brands a run for their money. Boasting a stylish chunky sole and cushioned padding, these black sliders are the perfect pair for all of your summer events, and have a similar look to a pair from Hermes.
Shoppers are obsessed, with the stylish shoes racking up a 4.7 star rating. One fan said: “I like these chunky sliders. Stylish enough for city wear. Practical enough for the beach and countryside.” While another added: “Love love love, perfect alternative to a very expensive similar pair! Comfy, but stylish love.”
Bag them for £27.99 here while they’re still in stock.
Oliver Bonas’ floral midi dress
Florals for spring? Groundbreaking. I heard someone say that floral midi dresses were ‘out’ in 2024, but I don’t believe them. This Oliver Bonas number as seen on This Morning is far too dreamy.
Coming in at £85, the Blurred Floral Print Green Midi Dress features a blurred floral print, with hazy takes on the print being a gorgeous alternative to traditional blooms. What’s more is that it’s the kind of piece that can be dressed down with sandals for your summer holiday, or glammed up with heels and a clutch for a spring wedding.
You can shop the floral dress for £85 here.
