What to Wear Now to Lift Your Spirits
Grey days call for good clothes.
It has been relentlessly cold, stubbornly grey, and there is not a holiday in the diary to look forward to. So we shop. Not recklessly, not wildly, but with intent. And it turns out this is collective behaviour.
In meetings since the turn of the year, before the agenda even starts, there has been a quiet roll call of outfits. Someone new. Something smart. A knowing nod. The same names keep coming up. High street, yes. But the good end of it. The places that still understand cut, fabric, and value.
When the urge to buy strikes, the danger is impulse. Choose the wrong shop and you end up with something that looks tired by March. Choose well and you add a piece that earns its place, now and next winter. These are the five worth going to when the shopping itch needs scratching.
1. COS
For structure, restraint, and clothes that quietly elevate everything else you own. COS excels at modern tailoring, sharp knits, and outerwear that makes sense for real weather. The palette is calm, the silhouettes are considered, and nothing feels throwaway. If you want to look pulled together without looking try-hard, start here.
2. Marks & Spencer
M&S has found its footing again, and it shows. The design team understands proportion, fabrics have improved, and the edit feels confident rather than confused. Think excellent knitwear, trousers that fit properly, and coats that look far more expensive than they are. It is dependable in the best possible way.
3. Uniqlo
The backbone brand. Uniqlo is not about statement pieces, it is about making everything else work harder. Heattech layers, merino knits, fine gauge jumpers, simple dresses. These are the items you reach for again and again. When shopping feels compulsive, Uniqlo brings it back to sense.
4. John Lewis
One of the smartest places to shop when you do not want to gamble. John Lewis offers choice, quality control, and a genuinely useful curation of brands. Own-label pieces are strong, especially knitwear and tailoring, and the wider edit means you can compare, consider, and buy with confidence rather than impulse.
5. WYSE
WYSE sits at the premium end of the high street and earns it. Known for flattering jeans, excellent shirts, and knitwear that feels indulgent without being precious. These are clothes designed to be worn, not babied. If you want something that feels like a treat but works hard in your wardrobe, WYSE delivers.
