I’m a Shopping Expert—I’m Convinced This High-Street Brand Will Even Win Over 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? (It’s now £55 on sale!). 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 Knit Drop-Waist Maxi Dress (£55) is currently on sale in the pink and black colourways.

This dream dress that sparked my interest is 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 available 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 best sellers), “trends” (reactive seasonal pieces) and evening (the dressier occasionwear category that the drop-waist dress would fit into). It’s also worth noting that Abercrombie works off American sizing, so whilst most pieces will have S, M, L, etc. on the label, they also have US sizes, which happen to come up a little larger than you might expect (no Zara fitting-room issues here).

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

1. Plunge Cowl Back Maxi Dress

Style Notes: Starting strong (as we mean to go on), the dress 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 in finding a piece that combines both. I’m generally bottom-heavy and tend to look for thicker fabrics that will smooth and sculpt my lower half, but this slinky material skims my body instead, so there’s none of the dreaded clinging.

Airy, sleek and feather-light, this is the kind of dress I’d style up with strappy sandals for a wedding 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.

2. The A&F Mara Button-Up Sweater Vest and Sloane Pants

Style Notes: The second item on my list to try on (after the dresses) was the famous Sloane trousers. Everyone is talking about these wide-leg, tailored pants on TikTok, and as a woman who is serious about tracking down the perfect trousers, 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 the regular length left, the pair I tried on were just long enough to get away with a flat shoe (I’m 5’6″), but petite shoppers will find these a dream.

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

3. 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 late-summer holidays. 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 whilst you can.

4. Off-The-Shoulder Ruched Wrap Top

Style Notes: I couldn’t leave the store 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 thick, stretchy fabric is the hero here, and it pulls in like a bodysuit when tucked into a waistband. There’s a myriad of ways to style such a versatile number, but I think a pair of tailored trousers and some kitten-heel slingbacks is my favourite for a smarter work day.

5. Collared Workwear Zip Up Denim Jacket and Curve Love Baggy Jeans

Style Notes: Sound the jacket-trend klaxon! After two 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), and I think there’s still potential to go even roomier. It’s worth mentioning just how good A&F’s menswear offering looks right now too, including this great option for those looking for a supersized fit.

Even the uninitiated will have heard of Abercrombie’s Curve Love denim range. Designed with curves in mind, the pieces come in sizes 23–37 (inches) with a considered waist-to-hip ratio that eliminates the dreaded “gap”, so you can find denim that fits you properly. Don’t be put off by the “baggy” here, as these are much more of a loose straight-leg than an ultra-wide cut.

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

Style Notes: It just wouldn’t 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 how this affordable linen manages to tick all the boxes for fit, fabric and function and still come in at under £60.

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