Our head of fashion traveled to Sainsbury’s TU to purchase five outfits for less than £80, with one costing around £10.80.
Restoring your wardrobe can feel more stressful than enjoyable because the cost of clothing is increasing almost as quickly as the weather changes. However, I chose to try something different rather than let my online cart abandon me. I set myself a mission: find five outfits that looked good enough for a designer and worked for the challenging summer-to-autumn stretch (because who has the money to spend on only one season) and set myself an £80 budget. and wouldn’t make me feel regret at checkout.
Supermarkets have quickly become my secret treasure troves for quality, designer-influenced pieces, and if you haven’t taken a proper scan of Sainsbury’s Tu’s aisles before, virtual or in-person, you’re missing out. I’m always left amazed by how luxe-looking new-season pieces can be, and I was spoiled for choice with my summer-to-autumn brief. As I kept a mental total of my buys in hand, I flicked through pieces, ticking off core trends: relaxed tailoring, soft knits and elevated basics and surprisingly polished silhouettes. At the end of my trip, I left with five mix-and-match capsule looks that felt grown-up and luxury, but all came in at £77.10.
Can you guess which full outfit costs less than £11?
Look 1: Total price £10.80
Shop the look
Mini Skirt with Light Brown Suede Effect, priced at £5.40.
Current price of Light Brown Suede Effect Top is only £5.40 (in store).
Alternative to the £22.50 regular tan faux suede shirt online
With my total savings, I’m going in strong for the first look. The zip-up skirt was priced at £5.40, just like the boxy suede-effect top. Even the checkout man glared on the bargain with a wide-eyed “That’s good, isn’t it”? We both agreed, I’m happy to see. Because I grabbed one of the final few pieces from the discounted rail, you can still purchase this stunning transitional skirt online in a wide range of sizes.
I do love TU’s new-in longer-sleeved suede-effect shirt as a replacement, though, if you can splash out a little more cash on the look. I didn’t spend anything on the boots, as these I had lying around my cupboard, but if you want to pick them up for yourself, they’re Boohoo’s Low Stiletto Knee High Boots, also a bargain at £26.60!
Look 2: Total price £21.40
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Green Knit Vest, £16 (only available online right now)
Alternative to the Metallic Stitch Sleeveless Vest online: £18.
Mini Skirt with Light Brown Suede Effect, priced at £5.40.
This knit vest top in olive green is something I didn’t anticipate loving as much. I could have easily purchased several knit vests and collar-detail vests with intricate stitching from TU. Because I don’t wear much of it in my wardrobe, I decided against this one because it suits a wide range of skin tones and hair colors. This would have been a great pairing with a pair of jeans and trainers, but I really like the elevated pairing of a suede skirt and a statement boot. Whether it’s cool enough for gray summer days or warm enough to layer up as the fall leaves roll in.
I’m wearing my Boohoo Low Stiletto Knee High Boots once more with the top and skirt.
Look 3: Total price £53.40
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32p Stone Relaxed Edge Co-ord Blazer
Green Knit Vest, £16 (in-store only)
Alternative to the Metallic Stitch Sleeveless Vest online: £18.
Mini Skirt with Light Brown Suede Effect, priced at £5.40.
This is essentially the same as the last look, but I’m demonstrating how to add an additional layer to give it a more elegant and dressy (or office-appropriate) edge. I don’t know a lot about the fit or quality of this Karen Millen blazer, which I own. I prefer the TU blazer’s fit to give it a bit of a boyfriend vibe. The stripe-lining fabric, which gives the cuffs a nice effect, earns extra points from TU.
Given that I only had the blazer for £2 on sale at the time, it’s a good investment because you’ll use it all summer and fall. Make sure to opt for a neutral shade like this to coordinate it with a variety of outfits.
My footwear is currently in my shoe closet, though. They can still be purchased online for £10 in the tan colorway, making them another affordable Boohoo purchase.
Look 4: Total price £34
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Green Knit Vest, £16 (in-store only)
Alternative to the Metallic Stitch Sleeveless Vest online: £18.
18-inch wide leg co-ord pair of Beige Textured wide leg trousers.
I thought, “Wow, this really looks expensive,” when I saw this outfit. When I took the trousers off the hanger, I was concerned that my bum would sway when I went for a walk because the material felt quite lightweight. But because they’re so flattering and comfortable, I shouldn’t have worried. In the fall, I’d pair them with this knit vest, but I’d also go for a crisp white shirt or oversized knit. They are a definite wardrobe essential, especially if you don’t enjoy displaying your legs because of how versatile they are.
Look 5: Total price £23.40
Shop the look
Current price of Light Brown Suede Effect Top is only £5.40 (in store).
Alternative to the £22.50 regular tan faux suede shirt online
18-inch wide leg co-ord pair of Beige Textured wide leg trousers.
Finally, I paired the textured pants with my last-ditch, £4.40 boxy suede-effect top, and I absolutely love it. I think this is the ideal summer office look when I pair my pair of £10 Boohoo sandals with it. If it’s a colder day, you can slip on the blazer, or you can opt for a kitten-heeled sandal.
A final thought
As I say, I got the five pieces for you, as shown above, for under £80, and then mixed and matched them to create the five different looks. With some of the pieces being sale items, stock for sizing will vary. If you’ve been inspired to do a supermarket sweep of your own, I also recommend heading to Tesco F&F, where there are also plenty of trend-led pieces. The brand’s big summer sale is currently on, and my top picks include the Tie Front Sleeveless Waistcoat, now £12, and Striped Button-Up Cardigan, now £15.
Source: Mirror
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