I’m a Shopping Expert—I’m Convinced This High-Street Brand Will Win Over Even Designer Devotees

It was on one of my weekly scrolls through the new-in sections that I stumbled across a dress so beautiful I had to share it straight away. Elegant, drop-waisted, in the perfect shade of blush pink and under £80? I was immediately on board, but the only thing that could guarantee a sale would be a successful try-on. Reader, you may be surprised to learn that the dress wasn’t a premium find; it was, in fact, a hidden gem from high-street brand Abercrombie & Fitch.

If, like me, the first thing that comes to mind when you hear “Abercrombie and Fitch” is sporty-prep, you’ve got some catching up to do. Not only has Abercrombie undergone a particularly fashionable transition as of late, but the quality has significantly improved too. With only the logo tee I bought as a teenager to act as a point of reference, I didn’t know what to expect from “new” Abercrombie, but the results were so good that I immediately pitched a story to share with you about just how impressed I am.

The dress in question is currently on sale in the pink and black colourways on Abercrombie.com.

This dream dress that had sparked my interest was not only stretchy, but double-lined too (read: figure-skimming), and once I felt the weight of it on the hanger, I knew it was coming home with me. So, on my second trip to Abercrombie in under a week, I decided to road test a few more pieces to see if the dress was a one-off, or an introduction to an affordable brand that I’d been missing out on for too long. A few notes before we begin: I noticed that the drop-waist wasn’t in all stores, so be sure to check stock before you head in; however, most stores do carry an edit of core collection (year-round bestsellers), “trends” (reactive seasonal pieces), and evening (the dressier occasionwear that the drop-waist dress would fit into). It’s also worth noting that Abercrombie works off American sizing, so while most pieces will have S, M, L etc on the label, and they also have US sizes too (which happen to come up a little larger than you might expect, so no Zara fitting room issues here).

Interested to see which pieces made the cut? Keeping scrolling to read an honest review of Abercombie’s latest drop, you might just be surprised.

Plunge Cowl Back Maxi Dress

Style Notes: Starting strong (as we mean to go on), the dress that I’m informally referring to as the “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” dress—you know the one. This buttery shade of yellow immediately scores highly for me this summer, and I’m sold on slip dresses as the shortcut to looking expensive, so imagine my delight finding a piece that combines two of my current favourites. I’m generally bottom heavy and tend to look for thicker fabric that will smooth and sculpt my lower half, but this slinky fabric skims my body instead. so none of the dreaded clinging. Airy, sleek and feather-light, this is the kind of dress I’d style up with strappy sandals for weddings or keep casual with flip flops and a slouchy tote. No notes of critique on this particular dress (it even comes in petite, regular and tall, so need to worry about length!), but if the yellow isn’t your thing, there’s also black, white, green, navy and a floral option too.

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The Button Up Sweater Vest and Sloane Pants

Style Notes: The second thing on my list to try on IRL (after the dresses), was the infamous Sloane trousers. Everyone is talking about these wide-leg, tailored pants on TikTok, and as someone who is serious about finding the perfect trouser, it made sense to find out what all the fuss is about. The quality of the fabric and the pleat positioning make for a good silhouette, but I tend to opt for longer “puddle pants” that gather around the ankle. As the store I was in only had regular length left, the pair I tried on were just long enough to get away with a flat shoe, and I’m 5ft6, but petite shoppers will find these a dream.

One thing I do love about this outfit though, is this button up vest. On the days you want something a little bit dressier than a plain white tee or a tank top, this cute knit will do the trick as it will go with everything already in your wardrobe. It’s a true to size fit but I find comes up slightly cropped on me, ideal for pairing with high-waisted trousers, jeans and skirts.

One-Shoulder Cutout Maxi Dress

Style Notes: Once again, Abercrombie dresses are leagues ahead, and this fiery red, one shouldered number is a flattering find that I’m convinced everyone will love. Not a fan of bold shades? Don’t worry, it comes in crisp white too—perfect for holiday season. I sized down from my usual choice as this is again quite generously cut, and the slit in the skirt allows for even more movement without showing excessive amounts of leg. Stock of this dress sells out quickly online, so it’s worth acting fast to get it while you can.

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Off-The-Shoulder Ruched Wrap Top

Style Notes: I coudn’t go without trying on this designer-coded, off-the-shoulder top. it just speaks to the over-dresser in me. Pull a shoulder up! Wear both down! Roll it! This is a top to play with—no matter how you wear it, it looks like elegant draping. Once again the fabric is the hero here, and the thick, stretchy fabric pulls in like a body suit when tucked into a waistband. There’s a myriad of ways to style such a versatile number, but I think a tailored trouser is kitten-heel slingback is my favourite for a smarter work day.

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Collared Workwear Zip Up Denim Jacket and Curve Love Baggy Jeans

Style Notes: Sound the jacket trend klaxon! After 2 years of trench coat mania we’re moving towards the car coat and the work jacket, and the thing they both have in common? Minimalist, boxy design and contrast collars. Bravo Abercrombie for jumping on the trend well ahead of autumn (and trust me, you’re about to see these everywhere). My only note here is to consider the kind of fit you’re aiming for. This fits true to size like any other denim jacket, but in order to go for a cooler, “borrowed from the boys” look, I went for the biggest size (an XL), but I think there’s still potential to go even roomier. It is worth mentioning just how good the menswear offering looks right now too, and they do have this great number for those looking for a supersized fit.

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The A&F Mara Squareneck Linen-Blend Vest Mini Dress

Style Notes: It just wouldnt be summer without a great linen dress, and I’m pleased to report that this isn’t the kind of paper-thin, easily-creased linen that isn’t worth the investment. Thick, structured and a good length for those who don’t fancy a micro mini, this was enough to tempt me away from maxi dresses (for the moment), and give short dresses another try. It also comes in yellow, grey and black, but if you’re looking for a wardrobe staple that you’ll wear for years to come, I’m impressed by just how this affordable linen manages to tick of all boxes for fit, fabric and function, and still come in at under £60.

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Shop More of My Favourite Pieces From Abercrombie and Fitch New-In

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