Seen on the Red Carpet in London: The Budget-Friendly Essential Available at M&S, Zara, and H&M.
It's time to play Lily Allen’s “West End Girl” as stylish Londoners gather in South Kensington this evening for the annual Fashion Awards. Taking place at the magnificent Royal Albert Hall, this yearly event honors the top talents in British fashion, featuring emerging names like the talent incubator and collective Fashion East, as well as established designers like Simone Rocha and Sarah Burton. While the red carpet provides a chance to highlight the artistry and creativity of the industry's best, this year it also demonstrates that simplicity and accessibility hold lasting value. Industry star Marisa Abela stepped onto the pink carpet tonight in a notably understated outfit, consisting of a crisp white shirt, a drop-diamond choker, textured fur trousers, and cream pumps. Her commitment to winter whites—especially as she is a newlywed—is impressive, particularly given the chilly temperatures. However, it's her choice to sidestep the extravagant styles typically seen at these events that truly captured my attention.
Her white shirt could easily resemble something her character, Yasmin Kara-Hanani, might wear to the Pierpoint offices, illustrating that the best red carpet looks are often the most effortless. This notion is frequently echoed in Hollywood, with Abela joining a host of film stars and fashion icons who have chosen this wardrobe staple for high-profile occasions.
At the 2022 Academy Awards, Zendaya paid homage to Sharon Stone's iconic 1998 Oscars outfit by mirroring the star’s satin lavender Vera Wang skirt with her own version from Valentino.
Earlier, in 1995, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy made an impression at a gala at the Whitney Museum of American Art in a tuxedo-style shirt paired with a mermaid-cut black pencil skirt by Yohji Yamamoto, thus beginning a trend of chic, aspirational ensembles.
Each of these looks is certainly desirable, but what stands out is that achieving them can be as simple as picking up a piece from stores like M&S, Zara, or H&M. A stroll down the King's Road or a quick browse through these brands’ online shops reveals numerous well-crafted, Savile Row-inspired shirts that are pricier than an average dinner in London. Fashion often acts as a great equalizer, with many prominent figures proudly attending these events in high-street pieces instead of couture. In a celebration of the best this city has to offer, it feels particularly appropriate. Below are some of the best high-street white shirts available for purchase.
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
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Seen on the Red Carpet in London: The Budget-Friendly Essential Available at M&S, Zara, and H&M.
For more than three decades, the most stylish women have turned to this £30 essential for their red carpet appearances. Now, we’ve finally caught on...
