Last season, the fash pack went mad for Topshop’s polka dot cigarette pants. They came in bottle green and navy blue and were worn by magazine editors and top bloggers alike. At Fashion Week last September I saw so many pairs of polka dotted legs, my eyes went a bit funny. When I eventually caved and decided I had to have a pair, Topshop was completely sold out. Eventually I found some in River Island and wore them like my life depended on it. I loved them but at £40, they weren’t cheap.
Fast forward a year and I’m thinking about my autumn wardrobe again, keeping my eyes peeled for early buys and bargains. While idly wandering around Matalan looking for a dress I’d seen in a magazine, I spotted something. Literally. Polka dot jeans, very similar to Topshop’s sold out style, for £16? Yes please!
Matalan jeans | American Apparel tee | Zara collar | Forever 21 bracelets | Topshop hat | Ara flats c/o Sarenza | Zatchels satchel
Matalan is quite hit and miss, quality-wise, but happily these jeans fit rather nicely. They don’t go baggy after 30 seconds of sitting, they don’t constantly fall down and they’re a little high waisted, which is always good in my book.
I wore my new jeans for a day in London – these photos are from a gloriously sunny Hyde Park.
It’s great to try new trends but investing in the latest pieces can be expensive. If I don’t love something straightaway I hang tight, avoid the bandwagon and bide my time. Trends filter through the high street at various speeds – directional companies like Topshop and Zara will pick them up quickly but it takes longer for them to reach cheaper stores like Primark and Matalan. If you’re willing to wait awhile, you can make some serious savings.
Do you shop the trends on the high street? Let me know if you’ve found anything amazing recently!
EDIT – These jeans are now £10! Even more of a bargain.
