As the workweek winds down there’s a certain buzz in the air in knowing that Friday marks not only the start of a weekend of recharging, but also the opportunity to indulge in a little retail therapy. Naturally, the thought of battling the bustling aisles and navigating the snaking Saturday queues of shoppers is not our idea of a relaxing weekend. But that doesn’t mean you can’t snap up the latest viral midi dress or skincare dupe.
Enter Weekend Wishlist - a carefully curated edit of The Mirror fashion and beauty team’s top picks from the high street this week. At the end of every week, we’ll be seeking out the viral sensations, soon to be sell outs, and uncovering the gems that deserve a spot in your shopping bag (and ours), from the likes of River Island, M&S, New Look and more.
Online shopping can often feel overwhelming when time is precious and choices are endless. As such we understand the need to make every *add to basket* moment count. Amidst the chaos of TikTok beauty trends and ever-turning wheel of fast fashion, we're bringing you pieces that aren't just fleeting fads, curating a finely tuned selection of fashion, beauty and home must-haves that you’ll love for seasons to come.
Whether you're seeking a wardrobe refresh, eye-catching accessories, or simply a touch of inspiration, we've got you covered. And in a nod to the evolving conversation around sustainable choices and overconsumption, we won’t be recommending any old rubbish - these are pieces and products we either genuinely rate, have bought ourselves, or simply have a hunch you will love as much as we do.
If you’re a seasoned trendsetter, beauty buff or simply need a helping hand when it comes to finding what’s hot and worth your hard earned cash, consider Weekend Wishlist your guide to navigating the high street’s never ending scroll of shopping picks.
Holly Willoughby's BBC show put on ice with no plans for second seriesHere's what we're loving this week:
Okay we love everything about Holly's latest Marks and Spencer outfit, but in particular these leather look trousers that come in under £40. Looking ready for autumn, the trousers fall to a cropped length with a straight leg for an effortlessly chic look.. Holly styled her leather-look trousers with a £69 tailored camel coat and textured cream jumper (£39.50), finishing her laidback 'fit with a pair of £89 cowboy boots that are a hit on the M&S website.
I feel like a pair of leather look trousers are an absolute must in the autumn winter season, so if you haven't already got a pair in your wardrobe, this affordable number is a great choice. If they're good enough for Holly, they're certainly good enough for us!
Finally listening to what the fans want, hit beauty brand Glossier has now created a larger version of best-selling fragrance, You. The addictive scent from the global beauty brand has been described as a ‘personal skin-scent enhancer’, and the fragrance itself is mostly made up of soft, base notes - allowing your own ‘scent’ to shine through, so it smells totally different on everyone.
The top notes consist of peppercorns, white florals, with a warm, slightly-sweet centre. This fragrance just melts into your skin, for a scent impact that is ‘uniquely you’. Imagine soft, warm and familiar - slightly snuggly too, if we can call a fragrance that…
Over 10,200 shoppers worldwide have been raving about Glossier You, which is also available as in a solid perfume form, rollerball and even candle. You can shop the bigger XL size for £98 here.
Loose Women star Frankie Bridge looked incredible in a fitted River Island dress as she showed off her latest picks from the high street this week. Costing £55, her blue bodycon is from River Island and comes in sizes six to 18. Available online, the dark-blue midi is still in stock in most sizes - but it’s selling fast. It has a sleeveless design with a bandeau neckline, split hem and zip fastening, which she styled with a pair of £28 silver court heels from ASOS.
Sharing the piece to her 1.5 million Instagram followers, Frankie said: "Dark denim for the win this season! Love the panelled look to this dress, really flattering! Also has a bit of stretch too which is great for a denim style."
As we move into the autumn season, her River Island denim dress could also be worn with ankle boots or even a pair of trainers. Throw over a longline coat or an oversized leather jacket depending on the occasion.
Boots’ has been reduced from £90 to just £44, making it but what’s more is that when we did the maths, the actual value of the products inside are over £175,
Holly Willoughby’s This Morning outfit is in the sale with 50% offThe calendar has been reduced as part of the retailer’s weekly which change regularly in the run up to Christmas. It’s likely that this is the cheapest price we’ll see the calendar at. When it goes back up to full price, it will still be on but to buy three at this price would make them £60, so on this occasion, it’s better to shop early and scoop those savings.
Inside the calendar are including Soap and Glory, No7, Liz Earle, Sleek, Botanics, Boots, Champneys and Ted Baker. Filled with pamper night essentials and beauty besties, the calendar features everything you need to get glammed up this Christmas and beyond, from eyeshadow palettes and £18 primers, to skincare saviours and sheet masks. Every product works out under £2 each at the current price, which is insane value *adds to basket*.
Nobody's Child is known for its array of pretty midi dresses and pops of colour throughout the seasons, but it's their Cotton Blend Funnel Neck Longline Jumper that shoppers want to cosy up with this autumn. Priced at £59, it comes in shades 'biscuit', 'grey' and 'pink' (though the pink is currently sold out).
Designed in an easy longline fit, it's accented with ribbed sections that add a touch of stylish texture. This comfy piece is finished with a warming funnel neck and loose long sleeves. Though it's important to note that Nobody’s Child designs are cut to a form-fitting shape, so if you're looking for a more relaxed fit, we recommend choosing the next size up.
I saw a TikTok of someone styling a bouquet in this gorgeous vase earlier this week and was a little surprised to hear that it was from high street retailer H&M. Ikebana is the centuries-old Japanese art of arranging flowers, and this style of vase and this design allows you to place flowers in the various holes to create a beautiful arrangement that's far more interesting than throwing them in an old jug.
The £19.99 vase is designed in a glazed stoneware and has different-sized holes in the lid allow various flower types to be displayed. One shopper described it as: "A great decor piece, that works well, and looks much more expensive than the cost." You can shop the vase online here.
Ugg boots have always prompted a strong reaction - from those who swear the casual furry boots are ideal for keeping your feet warm in the winter to critics who say they're just plan Ugg-ly. Whatever you think of them, the design isn't going away.
However getting the look for autumn and winter doesn't come cheap - with the Ugg Classic Ultra Mini Boot in chestnut, mustard or black priced at £145. On the high street, New Look's take on the trend has a price tag of just £25.99 and they could easily be mistaken for the real thing.
The retailer's ankle-length Tan Suedette Faux Fur Lined Chunky Boots have a faux fur lining, tab back, chunky sole and a slip-on design and come in sizes 3 to 9. New Look describes them as "super-soft and cosy". Could 2023 be the year I finally cave and buy a pair?
Shoppers are loving a £50 bag from Mango that is very similar to a designer version - without the hefty price tag. The Mango bag looks similar to the discontinued Louis Vuitton flower tote leather handbag, which is currently priced at £1,693 on Vestaire Collective, a pre-owned luxury fashion website. This means shoppers could save around £1,643 by opting for the dupe.
The Mango version is a large, shopper style bag, with an adjustable and detachable long strap. an integrated short handle, magnetic metallic fastening. The bag's features are similar to a number on the Louis Vuitton website, including the shape, handles and pattern. But at £49..99, it's a snip of the price you'd pay for high end, meaning you can get the look for less. A lot less.