I’m a big believer that a wardrobe should feel like your life — practical, a little polished, and full of pieces you actually reach for. One of the things readers ask me all the time is how to mix high-street finds with investment pieces without ending up mismatched or looking like you raided two different closets. I’ve spent years learning how to blend Zara and & Other Stories with a good-quality coat or a timeless leather bag, and it’s honestly one of my favourite styling puzzles. Here are the principles and little tricks I rely on when I want my outfits to look cohesive, thoughtful and intentional — not mismatched.
Start with a clear anchor
When I mix high-street and investment pieces, I always choose one anchor item to set the tone. The anchor is usually the investment piece — the coat, tailored blazer, leather bag or classic pair of shoes. Because these items have better materials and cleaner construction, they give the whole look a sense of gravity.
- Pick one standout investment item per outfit.
- Let the rest of the outfit echo the anchor’s mood (refined, minimal, or a bit edgy) so everything reads as intentional.
For example, a well-cut camel coat (my favourite is a classic wool-cashmere blend) will make a high-street sweater and jeans feel elevated. Conversely, if I’m wearing statement-high heels as my investment, I’ll keep the top half relaxed and a little undone.
Match the level of finish
One fast way to look mismatched is to combine something with a visibly cheap finish (shiny cheap hardware, rough seams) next to a beautifully made piece. You don’t need to buy everything luxury — you just need to be selective about finishes.
- Choose high-street items with cleaner finishes: minimal logos, matte hardware, and neat hems.
- If your coat has delicate horn buttons, avoid a bag with obviously plasticky details.
Brands like & Other Stories, Mango’s premium lines, and COS often deliver high-street price tags with surprisingly good finishes — perfect companions for an investment piece.
Unify colour, not brand
Colour is one of the simplest, most effective unifiers. If your investment handbag is warm tan, try to echo that warmth somewhere else in your outfit: a belt, a pair of boots, or even a stitch in your knitwear. That small repetition pulls everything together.
- Stick to a palette of 2–4 colours per outfit.
- Use neutrals (black, white, navy, beige) to bridge pieces from different price points.
I often build outfits around a neutral base and add one or two accent colours. A navy blazer, white tee, high-street linen trousers and a leather bag in cognac feel cohesive because the tones harmonise.
Play with proportions
Proportions are a styling secret that can instantly make an outfit look deliberate. A tailored investment blazer will look chic with relaxed high-street pieces — think balloon-sleeve knit or straight-leg jeans — because the contrast is balanced. Likewise, a voluminous coat can be grounded by fitted trousers and sleek ankle boots.
- Pair structured investment pieces with softer, relaxed high-street items for contrast.
- Make sure one element is streamlined to avoid visual overload.
I love a lightweight silk blouse under an oversized blazer with relaxed jeans and a refined leather loafer. The mix of soft and structured reads modern and curated.
Invest where it matters
Not every item needs to be an investment. Here are the categories I prioritise:
- Outerwear — coats and blazers are worn constantly and frame every outfit.
- Shoes — quality shoes change the way you carry yourself and last years longer.
- Bags — a well-made bag elevates even the simplest outfits.
- Tailored pieces — trousers or a blazer with great fit are worth the spend.
Everything else — trendier tops, printed midi skirts, casual tees — can be high-street. That way you get variety and personality without compromising the overall polish.
Use accessories to bridge the gap
Accessories are my favourite way to make a look feel cohesive. A simple chain necklace, a silk scarf, or a leather belt can pull a casual dress and a luxe coat into alignment.
- Choose accessories that echo the materials or colours of your investment piece.
- Small touches like matching metal tones (gold hardware on bag and belt) go a long way.
When I wear a high-street midi dress, adding a silk scarf knotted at the neck and a leather belt instantly gives it a more considered, investment-friendly vibe.
Mind the scale of prints and textures
If you’re pairing a printed high-street blouse with a plain investment piece, pay attention to scale. Large, bold prints can feel overpowering next to refined tailoring; smaller, subtler prints blend more smoothly. The same goes for textures: chunky knits can look charming with a soft cashmere coat, but a very fuzzy knit next to a sleek leather might clash.
- Balance busy prints with simpler silhouettes.
- Let one texture be dominant and the other complementary.
For a polished look, I often choose one statement texture (patent leather boots, shearling collar) and keep the rest of the pieces matte and structured.
Alterations are worth it
Fit can make the most affordable piece look high-end. I don’t hesitate to take a high-street blazer or dress to the tailor for a small nip or hem. A perfect sleeve length or the right tapered waistline makes clothes look custom-made.
- Prioritise tailoring for pieces you wear often.
- Simple fixes — shortening a hem, taking in shoulders — are inexpensive and transformative.
One of my favourite tricks is to have a couple of trusted tailors on speed dial. That polished fit multiplies the impact of any outfit.
Shop high-street with an investment mindset
When I shop high-street, I ask myself: will this survive multiple seasons? Does it have a clean silhouette? Is the fabric pleasant to touch? If the answers are yes, I add it to my cart. It’s less about price and more about longevity and coherence.
- Avoid overly trendy fast-fashion pieces that look dated after one season.
- Look for natural fibres and sturdy seams when possible.
Finally, don’t be afraid to experiment. The most interesting wardrobes mix things you love from different places. With a little attention to anchors, finishes, colour and fit, your outfit will feel like one beautifully told story rather than two fragments stitched together.