The best fashion happens when you mix it up - high-end and high street, vintage and new, minimal and out-there. It's these contrasts which create the tensions that make style interesting.
So even though there is a part of me that’s focused on buying quality classics that will go the distance, I also like to add interest to my outfits with pieces which are a little more current. Primark remains a great place to experiment - the price points mean you can flirt with a trend without committing to it.
Equally, I always find it a great place for staple basics - plain vest tops, tights and socks - that you need to restock on every so often.
I haven’t been in there since last summer, when I picked up some holiday clothes for me and my daughter, but I was drawn in on a recent lunch break on a hunt for thermal tights to combat the sub-zero snow flurries of Storm Ciara - and I found some great pieces for my work wardrobe and homewares for our renovated master suite as well.
You can’t really go wrong with a Primark haul - it's the ultimate in affordable style. Plus, we all know science has proven it's physically impossible to emerge with just one item...
Laser-cut invisible shoe liner socks | £2.50
‘Supercosy tights’ | £3.50
Ok, let’s get the boring basics out of the way first. They may not be exciting, but these staple pieces are a big part of the reason I love Primark.
Quality seems to have come a long way since I first set foot in there as a teenager - as has the trend-led ethos - and I do rely on it for basics. I generally go a couple of times a year specifically to stock up on plain vests, tights and socks.
After a fairly mild winter, the temperature has suddenly dropped here during February, and my thermal tights are life on the chilly walk into the office or waiting around on a draughty train platform. I don’t think I could convince myself to get out of bed without them.
With a brushed fleece lining, they really do live up to their ‘Supercosy’ name and I grabbed another pair to add to my drawer, because I pretty much live in these until the late spring.
I also picked up a three pack of foot socks. These days, I only really wear this type of sock , I find them comfortable and they don’t show with trainers and even some flats. These ones have a laser-cut edge so they sit perfectly flat to your foot.
Oyster satin body | £12.00
The colour and the styling are so delicate - I loved the mesh panels and satin banding gently defining the waist. It’s definitely a vintage inspired look and I have to say the underwear was a lot more appealing back then.
The attention to detail is beautiful and I honestly think this looks so much more expensive than it was - and that’s exactly what keeps me coming back. In among everything else, there are always pieces on offer at Primark that don’t ‘look like’ they belong there, and that’s where you get the best bargains.
There were lots of people browsing the lingerie section clearly gearing up for Valentine’s Day when I went in!
Burgundy dalmatian print shirt | £10.00
Sometimes you’ll see a piece on social media from Primark that is really well done - and lately, it's seemed like everywhere I look I see a green dalmatian print midi dress styled up to look a million dollars.
Well, I had half an eye out for it on my trip in to store, but it must have flown off the shelves.
They did have this shirt in a similar print, which I snapped up. Burgundy is a colour I love, because it goes well with all the neutrals - especially camel and navy - which I tend to wear a lot at this time of year. Adding a splash of print creates interest.
This would go really well with a black leather pencil skirt or the navy silk trousers I got in my last style haul.
Faux leather joggers | £15.00
I’ve been on the fence about the idea of leather joggers for a while. I absolutely love leather skirts and trousers, and they’re a staple part of my wardrobe, so the idea of a new take on them was always going to appeal. But I wasn’t sure whether it was an athleisure step too far for me.
Then I saw one of my real-life style icons - Elisabeth Rillat - rocking a Zara pair and the deal was done. I wanted some. I decided I preferred a tan pair so when these caught my eye it was straight in the basket!
I liked the broad woven drawstring and cuffed ankles on these. They will style up really well with a sporty bodysuit or a loose blouse, and I’m excited to wear them.
Twisted fabric headband | £2.50
My love affair with headbands shows no sign of slowing down. I think it's become the new statement necklace in my eyes - a go-to way of adding a little something extra to a basic outfit.
I couldn’t resist this one, with animal print fabric twisted around a black band. The neutral colour means it will go with most things. I can imagine styling this with leather trousers, a plain white tee, a long camel coat and trainers as a classic weekend look, or it would work with a black sweater dress and boots.
Draped satin shirt - nude and black | £10.00 each
You know what they say - when you see something you really like, buy it in every colour! One niche category that Primark seems to excel in is draped blouses in chiffon or satin. I love them because they are so easy to wear - they pair beautifully with jeans at the weekend or tailored trousers and skirts in the office.
In the winter I layer a very thin long-sleeved thermal t-shirt under to make them warmer, or they look great as a going out for dinner outfit with a hint of lace bralette peeking out.
I find them very versatile and quite elegant, so I snapped up this soft nude colour and also one in black - which would look amazing with a mini and biker boots or with a midi skirt and mules.
Organic cotton t shirt dress with puffball skirt | £15.00
Sometimes you find a piece that is so unique that it really looks more expensive and design-led than you might expect from this store - although it does get nicknamed Primarni for that reason! I couldn’t resist this dress.
For a start, it's black, which is always my go-to colour. And I loved the contrast of the swishy, taffeta puffball skirt with the black jersey t-shirt upper half. I just bought a very similar oversized black taffeta dress from Zara, for a lot more money and I think I prefer this version!
It’s very glam grunge, and will look amazing styled with a leather jacket and my failsafe collection of ankle boots - or with flat sandals in the summer. Such a great find - it's things like this which always draw me back.
Trio Lash Extensions | £1.00 each
Since having kids, I've had much less time for salon visits, and I've taught myself to do a few things at home, like lash extensions. I can't be without my flutter power, and lash extensions make a huge difference to how polished I feel and how quickly I can get ready in the morning.
Having started off doing individual ones, I moved onto to trio lashes, which are so fast and easy to use. They give a much more natural appearance than strip lashes and are actually easier to apply. With these, I can do my lash extensions in under five minutes and they last for a couple of weeks.
I was using sets of trio extensions from Ardell which are usually around £6.00 a box, until I discovered these. The're soft and fluffy but just £1.00, and each pack does me a couple of sets of lashes plus some spares (I use five of the trio lashes on each eye every time).
When Primark launched these a while ago I was over the moon, but they stopped doing them for a while. Now they're back I've made sure to stock up! They come in Short, Medium and Long length options so you can choose what you like or mix and match for a gradient effect, but I just use Medium to save time.
I use them with a professional semi-permanent lash glue rather than what's included in the pack, but I'm sure that would be fine if you just wanted to use them for a night out.
Mirrored brass trays | £10.00
As we are currently knee-deep in renovations at No.80, I’m always on the lookout for stylish homewares, so of course I had to have a look at the current Primark offering while I was there, and I found a couple of absolute gems.
I adore these brass edged mirrored trinket trays, and I paid £20.00 for one a couple of months ago at Oliver Bonas. I couldn’t believe Primark were selling a set of two for £10! My plan is to use these in our new master suite to organise products in the bathroom.
They just add such a great finishing touch to a room and they really tie in with the mix of contemporary and heritage style that we’re going for in the house.
Pale pink plant pot on stand | £6.00
The last item I picked up was this cute little plant pot. I’m looking to add some greenery to our new bedroom, and I love the style of these planters that come with a little stand.
The walls in our room are deep navy blue, and we’ve paired it with blush pink accents, so when I saw this pale pink pot it was too perfect to leave. I love the contrast of the two shades and this will look amazing with a sculptural plant in it to add some life to the bedroom.
So those were my latest finds in Primark - have you been in lately? What have you found?
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