Best High Street Fashion Finds For Spring, Summer 2026
Who needs Net-a-Porter or Selfridges? The high street is serving right now. And I mean properly serving. Get ready to have people ask, "Where the hell is that from?!"
I've been doing a lot of scrolling, a lot of clicking and, let's be honest, a lot of adding-to-basket lately. So, here are the pieces I think are absolutely worth your attention this SS26. Get comfy. This is a long one.
Look, I will always, always be in the market for a perfect vest top. It's one of those things that sounds incredibly basic until you find the right one, and then you realise you've been settling your whole life. This H&M ribbed version is fitted without being clingy, and it’s made from a cotton and viscose blend that has a lovely weight to it. It's the kind of thing you'll wear under every blazer, over every bikini and tucked into everything from now until September. And at this price point, frankly, you should buy a few.
Now THIS is the one you reach for when the ribbed vest has done the heavy lifting all week and you want to feel a bit more dressed up. The draped silhouette is relaxed and elegant at the same time (a skill!), and it's the kind of top that IS the outfit. Throw it on with simple trousers or a midi skirt and let it be.
The Callie Thorpe for Monsoon collection is stunning. This burnt orange kaftan makes you feel like you're on a holiday terrace overlooking the sea, even if you're just in a garden in Essex. The embellishment and ruffle details are exactly right; enough to be interesting without tipping over into fussy. What I love about a good kaftan is that it works for everyone: every body and every occasion. Holiday? Yes. Wedding? Absolutely. Saturday afternoon doing not much but wanting to feel fabulous? Duh.
Love me a strong shoulder moment! The ruching here makes things interesting, and that bone colour is the perfect neutral. The structured shoulder gives it an editorial edge too, which I love. This feels a bit like old ASOS; it looks like it cost a lot more than it did.
Before you say anything: yes, satin track pants. And yes, I am obsessed. The wide leg silhouette isn’t going anywhere this summer, seeing as it looks good on absolutely everyone, and this light-brown snake print satin fabric is exactly the kind of thing that thrills me. Pair these with a simple white vest and trainers and you’ll look so chic. Pair them with heels and a fitted top and you're going out-out.
Topshop’s revival has been fun to watch, and pieces like this are exactly why. The knitted racer vest is a silhouette that comes back every single summer, and the multicolour trim on this one makes an otherwise boring staple (soz, I said it) look a bit more cutesy and fun. It's got that vintage sportswear energy that feels very in right now, and it looks good layered under a linen shirt or worn on its own tucked into high-waisted trousers.
The boxer short trend is not going anywhere, and I for one am relieved because they are the best for holidays; lightweight and easy to throw into a suitcase even when you’re tight on space. Even if you aren’t off on your holibobs, nobody wants to wear a heavy, sweaty fabric when enduring a great British summer – we don’t have AC! Anyway, the pink and purple stripes here are cute. They remind me of a humbug.
If you haven't discovered Archies yet, today is a very good day for you. Cue the M&S advert voice: these aren’t just any flip flops… These are flip flops with actual arch support built in. You can wear them all day, walk properly, and not end up with that dreaded flat-sandal-induced back ache. These are podiatrist-designed and unsurprisingly therefore very comfortable, and they come in a hot pink shade! Screeeeam.
We all know that M&S has shed its once-dowdy reputation, and this embellished lace top is just further proof. It is SO versatile; you could literally wear it to a wedding if you wanted to, but I love that they’ve styled it for a trip to the beach?! How chic! What could be better than a beach AND sparkles? Maybe a pink version, I suppose… (I hope M&S’s designers and buyers are reading this.)
A pure linen shirt is the cool-girl summer essential. I will be buried in mine. The relaxed cut is key imo so that you can simply throw it on and look instantly put-together. You can scrunch up the sleeves and open the front to look a bit more casual, or you can button it up, pair it with smart trousers, and add some chunky gold jewellery to look like you mean business. Linen also breathes, softens with every wash, and goes with literally every bottom half you own. I mean it: jeans, wide leg trousers, over a swimsuit, belted as a dress…
Never Fully Dressed is described as a “feel-good fashion brand” and I feel like they do deliver on their promise. Their prints, fits and general energy all bring me joy. The Morocco Mini Wrap Skirt in particular is everything I want for summer: it’s got a beautiful print, a flattering wrap silhouette and a sense of effortlessness that looks so good in holiday snaps (even if you’re just popping to the shops to grab some Lays).
Two Never Fully Dressed picks in one list? Ohhh maybe I’m obsessed, as the cool girls say. This beaded skirt is really very special though; the beading catches the light in the most beautiful way, and the star motif is so retro and fun. It reminds me of Groovy Chick – do you remember her?!
As someone who loves to experiment with fashion, Free People has a frankly magical ability to design activewear that I genuinely want to wear all day long and not just to yoga. These are soft, comfortable and flattering all in one. They're the kind of thing you put on for a morning class and somehow still have on at 4pm because they just go with everything.
I know, I know, a jumper in a summer roundup. Buuuuut cold evenings exist, and they are windy, and you will thank me. This is the perfect lightweight knit to keep you company from May through to October. It’s fluffy and soft and it looks summery, even though it’s a jumper.
Oh, Rat & Boa. If you know, you know. If you don't know yet, welcome, and I'm sorry for the damage that this is about to do to your bank account. The Rosela Dress is everything the brand does brilliantly: a gorgeous print, a silhouette that flatters, and that certain something that makes it feel like a proper investment piece even when you're not entirely sure you can justify it. (You can justify it. Trust me.)
I obviously wax lyrical about SPF, but hats are important too if you want to stay safe in the sun. Plus, they look cute! I like this one because it's not trying too hard, it's not covered in logos, and it's just a beautifully made cap in a colour that goes with everything. Oh, and me and Lia made it-haaa! Velvet Smoke 4eva. (Totally bias obvs).
Last but absolutely not least: the skort. The garment that solves the eternal summer dilemma of wanting to wear a skirt but also wanting to, you know, move. Wear this for all your summer shenanigans: you can cycle, run for the bus, sit on the grass, and generally live your life without worrying about a wardrobe malfunction freeing a cheek to the people (see what I did there?).
So there we have it! Every single one of these pieces is available right now, just in time for hols. Go forth. Shop well. And maybe buy two of those H&M vest tops while you're at it.
Love,
Lisa xx
As always, I only ever recommend things I genuinely rate. This post may contain affiliate links at no extra cost to you, I may earn a small commission. It mostly goes on things the dog has chewed.