The pheasant effect and the power of Bargain

I do love a Bargain. I even like to be called La Reine de la Bargain (excuse the French pun).  But firstly, please let me clarify my definition of the word Bargain (it's got more impact with a capital B, don't you think?). By Bargain I don't mean saving a mere £20 off a 200-quid winter coat from Reiss using that women's magazine voucher (no finger pointing Elle magazine, not at all).

No, I am talking real Bargains here. Cheap high street items that catapult you into the fashion designer sphere in an instant.

Those purchases you would perfectly comfortable parading around the Vogue house or meeting a fashion editor. The cheap-as-chips items that turn heads, generate blissful smiles and enquiries from total strangers on the street and save any monochrome outfit no matter how boring.

And this year has so far been a Bargain bonanza. At number one spot is the Accessorize bib necklace (around £12.95 bought from Heathrow airport tax free!) that gets me an average of two to six compliments everytime I wear it (Yes I do count, ok, sue me). I could so totally lie and say it's Marni, it could so easily be Miu Miu. Although yours truly never lies and loves a good Bargain too much to keep it for herself.

There was the £25 cocktail ring bought randomly at Debenhams on the way out from a bathroom shopping session – this item won its true Bargain status when a fashion editor actually asked if it was Stephen Webster… 

Oh and the £39.99 gorgeous dress from H&M that looks more likely from the latest Isabelle Marant collection than the cheap rails of the Swedish high street giant.

But this weekend, the crown of the top best high street Bargainissimo goes to the pheasant effect faux fur coat I just bought from… wait for this… Warehouse - retail price £80, minus 20% discount = £64! It's already done a successful round around the office on 'casual' Friday (I could actually see the stares when I got in) and the peak was its second outing for our friends' wedding on Saturday, where even men liked it. 

But the season is not over yet. I still have a ribbon-based embellished River Island belt covered in stones and spider brooches waiting in my wardrobe (at the bargain price of £19.99 if I remember correctly). I have great expectations for this one too but it will have to wait. This week is the pheasant effect and next one will be goth-themed… God I love the high street in this country.