Look Good

20 must-have pieces from H&M’s latest S/S drop

Written by High Life North
Published 30.07.2020

By Bekki Ramsay

If you were to ask me which high-street store has all of the best clothing bits in at the moment, I would have said “H&M” before you’d even finished your sentence…

From their delicious array of dresses to their stylish take on traditional pieces – their Spring/ Summer collection is not only ticking off every piece on my summer hit-list but naturally, filling in some gaps of my wardrobe, too.

So, with this in mind, I only thought it was right to share the top twenty must-have pieces from their new-in section – some of which I’ve purchased myself and the others are currently on my (very long) list of ‘to buy’. Scroll down to see and shop my picks.

Without meaning to alarm you guys, many of the high-street stores are starting to get in the odd Autumn pieces, and well, if you want to get ahead before the best bits sell out, I’d recommending buying pieces that you can also wear in the cooler days of Summer, too. This gorgeous mesh top with its long gathered sleeves is a great example and could be worn with most basic bottoms.

This is a PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT. H&M is selling the stylish shoe of the summer – The Row inspired real-leather flip-flop – but for a teeny fraction of the price. The Row sandal which set you back a hefty £725; however, H&M are selling a pretty close dupe at just £24.99. I can’t imagine these staying in stock for that much longer so make sure to bag the bargain if you’re that keen.

One thing H&M do exceptionally well is a blazer. And this ‘greige’ one is a great example. It’s a little longer than your traditional blazer but with the oversized silhouette being key to blazers this Spring/ Summer, it’s just what we expected. Team it with a pair of jeans and a slogan tee for an upgraded casual look, or with cycling shorts and a baggy tee if you’re after something more statement.

You could team the gorgeous greige blazer with these wide-belted trousers. Now these, my friends, are a pair of exceptionally good trousers. They’re made of an airy weave with their high-waist and, of course, the statement belt. With its asymmetrical buckle in gold detailing, it certainly makes the trousers seem like a steal at just £34.99.

Another product H&M seem to have perfected is the humble basic, such as this ribbed vest top. It comes in a variation of three colours (black, tomato and beige), and is made of a soft, rib-nick which makes it look like something from a more high-end high-street retailer. Plus, the good thing is that this vest top could not only be worn under the aforementioned mesh top, but paired with those wide-leg trousers you’ve just seen, too.

I’ll be honest, when looking at the ‘new in’ section of H&M, this was one of the things I added straight into my basket and purchased without a second to think about it. A gorgeous summer dress in the ‘it’ colour of the season, and under £20? Yes, please! I also love the slight slit in the leg as it gives it a sexier appeal than the standard slip dress, and would make the perfect date day or afternoon attire.

From the softly draped satin material (which is actually made from the sustainable material, Tencel) to the high stand up collar right down to the balloon sleeves and buttoned cuffs, this top is no doubt a statement – one that I can’t stop looking at and am absolutely loving. However, the best thing about this piece is that it’s pretty timeless so if you did decide to purchase, it’s something that’ll work out to be very cost-effective over the years.

If you do buy the shirt, please buy these perfectly matched shorts, too. They’re made of a cotton weave with a Broderie Anglaise cut-out pattern, and pleats at the top to make them look even more expensive than they really are. To top it off (well, bottom it off) they have a stylish scalloped hem, too. It really is in the details, and you get a lot here considering that they’re only £34.99.

Oh, I do love a pretty dress – especially when it comes with puff-sleeves – so this is really floating my boat with its beautiful bow-back detailing. It’s also got a square neckline and has a smocked shape to it – both of which are not only flattering but extremely effortless in doing so. All you need to wear this with is a pair of gold earrings and your favourite black sandal flats, and you’ll be good to go.

Cardigans are the ‘it’ item of the season, but can you believe that H&M is selling the most popular silhouette for only £9.99? And in two colours – white and baby pink (to make the girls wink, in acknowledgement that you’re wearing such a bargain). Although this piece is a bargain, it still has detailing – it’s fitted, has eyelet buttoning down the front and pretty scalloped edges on the cuffs and hems.

The best thing about the previous cardigan is that it’s your ‘nice top’ that you just need to throw on with some jeans – such as these straight-leg ones, in a washed denim and very high waist.

Alternatively, you could wear those straight-leg jeans with this gorgeous gingham top. It’s made from Tencel and has been blended with a slight sheen – making it deceptively perfect for warmer weather. It also features a wrap-over bust and wide smocking at the back, so even though it’s a pretty top, the smocked stretching makes it super comfortable to wear. Cute and comfortable? Yes, please!

This short, flared dress in airy, textured cotton comes in the most delicious of colours: pistachio green (and light beige, for those who prefer a more muted tone). With the wide sleeves and body, it’s incredibly easy to chuck on – even over some jeans as you can see from the stylish combination above.

Ah, yet another beautiful bargain from H&M! If you feel like your white t-shirt needs an upgrade, then it’s definitely worth considering this statement piece. It could jazz up the most basic of outfits or make a big impact when worn with some fancy pants. Also, it’s worth mentioning that the short balloon sleeves have concealed elastic at the hems for added volume, so the puffiness will prevail through all means of wearing. They really have thought of everything considering this t-shirt costs less than £10. 

If you’re on the lookout for a pair of trousers that are easy to throw on but are effortlessly stylish, then you should definitely be considering this pair. They’re made of a sturdy jersey, which makes them more flattering around the waist area than most wide-leg trousers. However, don’t be alarmed; they have concealed elastication which means they’re still super comfy to wear but look a little more put together. What’s more, the slight side-slit makes them more ‘casual’ than the classic black trouser, meaning they can be worn with sandals as shown.

For those that don’t currently own a shacket – a mixture between a shirt and a jacket – then you’re really missing out on such a versatile piece! Not only would this beige number look perfect with the previous wide-slit trousers but it’s a good enough piece to BE the statement itself. For example, H&M has paired with a pair of white jeans and a simple beige mule for the most sophisticated of looks.

Volume, colour, easiness, cheap but high-quality. This A-line tunic dress really does have all of the factors to make it a good Summer dress that makes you smile each time you go back to your summer wardrobe. Not only could this item be worn for a (socially distanced) BBQ or park meet-up, but imagine wearing this on holiday with gold earrings on night-time and heading out for a meal? A vibe I can get on board with. Or should I say abroad with?

If you’re after a delicious dress which will get you compliment after compliment at every summer occasion, then I’m happy to inform you that this cerise number is the one. Plus, with its crinkled chiffon material and V-shaped opening at the front, it’ll keep you cool (figuratively and aesthetically) throughout all of your plans. 

With summer no longer cancelled, many of us are now questioning our summer wardrobes and how appropriate they are. Maybe you’ve now got everything down from the loft and have realised you’re lacking in certain pieces – such as a beach bag. However, if you are, good news: this piece is worth purchasing. With its braided paper straw material, its durable for the sand, is super cute, and could even fit in a book for some light summer reading.

If you want to impress everyone with your Spring/Summer ’20 fashion awareness, then purchasing a Peter-Pan collared tee will do it. They’re everywhere this season and rightly so, as despite being a t-shirt, can be worn in so many ways. Of course, it can be worn as a standard tee; however, many fashion advocates are choosing to wear it under a cardigan or jumper, whilst allowing the statement collar popping over the top – creating a statement look on even the blandest of knitwear pieces. So, there you have it – three ways to wear something less than the price of a takeaway.

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