Seen on the London Red Carpet: The Budget-friendly Basic Available at M&S, Zara, and H&M

Seen on the London Red Carpet: The Budget-friendly Basic Available at M&S, Zara, and H&M

      It's time to play Lily Allen’s “West End Girl” as all the fashionable Londoners gather in South Kensington for the annual Fashion Awards tonight. Taking place at the magnificent Royal Albert Hall, this event honors the best in British fashion, featuring emerging talents like the collective Fashion East, alongside established designers like Simone Rocha and Sarah Burton. While the red carpet allows for a showcase of exquisite craftsmanship and the creativity of top designers, it also serves as a reminder that simplicity and accessibility can truly shine, particularly evident at the 2025 event.

      Indeed, actress Marisa Abela arrived on the pink carpet in a remarkably understated outfit compared to her peers, consisting of a crisp white shirt, a drop-diamond choker, textured fur trousers, and cream-colored pumps. Her commitment to winter whites—especially considering she is newly married—amidst the chilly weather is admirable, but it was her choice to avoid the opulent looks typically expected at such events that really caught my attention.

      Her white shirt could easily be something her character, Yasmin Kara-Hanani, would wear at Pierpoint offices, demonstrating that the most striking red carpet appearances are often the most effortless. This notion is frequently echoed in Hollywood, with Abela joining numerous film actresses and fashion influencers who have embraced this wardrobe classic for significant occasions.

      At the 2022 Academy Awards, Zendaya paid homage to Sharon Stone’s 1998 Oscars look by donning a satin lavender Vera Wang skirt mimicking Stone’s, albeit with a Valentino twist.

      Earlier, in 1995, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy made an impression in a tuxedo-style shirt paired with a mermaid-cut black pencil skirt by Yohji Yamamoto at a gala at the Whitney Museum of American Art, establishing a trend of chic and aspirational outfits.

      All of these looks are certainly desirable, but what’s most remarkable is that you can replicate them with items easily found at stores like M&S, Zara, or H&M. A quick stroll down King's Road or browsing these brands’ online offerings reveals many well-crafted, Savile Row-inspired shirts priced lower than an average dinner in London. Fashion often acts as an equalizer, with many notable personalities proudly attending these events in high-street pieces instead of couture. In a celebration of the best that this city has to offer, there’s nothing more fitting. Below are the top high-street white shirts to consider.

      Shop the White Shirt Trend from the 2025 Fashion Awards:

      - M&S Cotton Rich Fitted Collared Shirt

      - With Nothing Underneath The Boyfriend

      - COS Rounded Pima Cotton Shirt

      - & Other Stories Tapered Tie-Belt Shirt

      - ZARA Limited Edition Tuxedo Shirt

      - With Nothing Underneath The Dress Shirt Curved Bib: Poplin, White

      - Arket Relaxed-Fit Poplin Shirt

Seen on the London Red Carpet: The Budget-friendly Basic Available at M&S, Zara, and H&M Seen on the London Red Carpet: The Budget-friendly Basic Available at M&S, Zara, and H&M Seen on the London Red Carpet: The Budget-friendly Basic Available at M&S, Zara, and H&M Seen on the London Red Carpet: The Budget-friendly Basic Available at M&S, Zara, and H&M Seen on the London Red Carpet: The Budget-friendly Basic Available at M&S, Zara, and H&M Seen on the London Red Carpet: The Budget-friendly Basic Available at M&S, Zara, and H&M Seen on the London Red Carpet: The Budget-friendly Basic Available at M&S, Zara, and H&M Seen on the London Red Carpet: The Budget-friendly Basic Available at M&S, Zara, and H&M Seen on the London Red Carpet: The Budget-friendly Basic Available at M&S, Zara, and H&M Seen on the London Red Carpet: The Budget-friendly Basic Available at M&S, Zara, and H&M Seen on the London Red Carpet: The Budget-friendly Basic Available at M&S, Zara, and H&M Seen on the London Red Carpet: The Budget-friendly Basic Available at M&S, Zara, and H&M

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Seen on the London Red Carpet: The Budget-friendly Basic Available at M&S, Zara, and H&M

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