1 week Ago By Joy Montgomery
Sponsored by H&M With so much fashion existing online, there’s something refreshing about trying pieces on in-store. Enter Just Browsing: We’re taking you into the changing room as we preview the newest collections from some of our favourite high-street brands and contemporary labels. We’ll get into fabric and quality, fit and feel, and so much more as we make our way through the shop floor.
Happy scrolling! Clean-lined staples are the glue that hold our wardrobes together – no matter how maximalist or minimalist our style, we all have those “if it ain’t broke” basics that we return to again and again, whether it’s tailored trousers, straight-leg jeans or boxy blazers. But then again, speak to any fashion editor and you will hear them extol the virtues of the personality piece – the sartorial party-starters that might not, at first glance, be considered “versatile” in the traditional sense, yet we find ourselves reaching for again and again. It was a universal truth that was confirmed to me as I stepped into H&M’s white-washed showroom last week to preview the brand’s spring collection.
From its Studio lines to its designer collaborations , the high-street stalwart has been going from strength to strength, and certainly knows how to generate conversation within the fashion sphere. Yet, it’s important not to forget the brand’s mainline collection, which, from experience (trust me, I trawl through its new-in section every week) is full of lust-worthy ready-to-wear pieces that are budget-friendly and, when chosen correctly, are sure to stand the test of time. The spring 2025 offering is the perfect case in point: from corseted T-shirts and sculptural blazers, to sheer embellished skirts and oversized clutch bags, it’s packed full of the sort of elevated separates you can rely on to add interest to any springtime outfit.
But the question is: which pieces made the final cut? While I wouldn’t usually consider myself a dress person, I loved how many of the collection’s feminine skirts and dresses looked great layered over more masculine tailoring and structured accessories. Take the embellished grey shift dress, which took on a very Gwyneth-in-the-’90s spin when layered over black bootcut trousers. Elsewhere, there was a blush-coloured embellished skirt (beading is a recurring theme in the collection), which works for daytime when paired with a white T-shirt and tassel loafers.
Just add a shirt, kitten heels and costume jewellery for evening. But, if I had to pick one thing to take home, it would have to be the collection’s cream-coloured sculptural blazer, which came with a scooped waistline, collarless neckline and balloon-shaped sleeves. Polished, statement-making and easy to wear – it really delivered on all fronts.
Styling-wise, it looks great worn with nothing underneath (take note for formal spring events), but I can confirm that it also works just as well layered over a tank top and jeans for easy smart-casual dressing. It’s all about optimising that cost-per-wear, and it’s fair to say that this collection is not lacking in this regard. Ready? Scroll down to see and shop our full edit of H&M’s spring collection.
The corset top Previously the reserve of lingerie drawers, big nights out and Noughties music videos, the corset top has experienced a polished revamp in recent years, with brands offering up their own grown-up spin on the underwear icon. For spring, H&M has created its own iteration in the form of a beautiful grey wool-blend style, which features structured and lightly-padded cups (great for those who need support in that area), and a panelled waist section intersected by diagonal seams. The overall effect recalls the internal construction of a Savile Row suit.
I’ve styled the corset with H&M’s low-slung jeans and matching shirt (proof that corsets can be casual), but I also love the idea of layering it over white shirts or pairing it with more fitted bootcut trousers for more formal occasions. The sheer skirt Thanks to Prada, we’ve seen mesh and sheer skirts flood the market over the last year, both on the red carpet and the city streets. And if H&M’s latest drop is anything to go by, the trend shows no sign of slowing down for 2025.
Featuring a corset-style seamed waistline, calf-grazing length and subtle embellishment, this blush-coloured style caught my eye the moment I saw it on the rail. The bottom half is only slightly sheer, offering just a subtle outline of what’s underneath, so it’s perfect for anyone who feels ambivalent about fully see-through skirts. When it comes to styling, meanwhile, I recommend balancing out the skirt’s feminine undertones with a pair of polished tassel loafers and adding a tank top or oversized tee – although note that the above style is a corseted bodysuit from the same collection.
The sculptural blazer I am happy to admit that jackets are my personal kryptonite, with the total number of styles hanging in my wardrobe right now probably creeping into the high 40s. But then again, as anyone who lives in the UK will know, it’s one of those transeasonal essentials that will get plenty of airtime all year round. This H&M cream blazer is the perfect example of how a well-designed outerwear piece can elevate even the most basic of basics.
Featuring a collarless neckline, curved-seam sleeves and subtle scooped-in waistline, this jacket makes for a satisfying respite from the super-oversized styles that have proliferated over the last few years. The neckline is high enough that you can wear it with nothing underneath (useful for evening events), but also I tried it on with a tank top and jeans, which looked equally as stylish. The versatile dress The dress-over-trousers look is fast becoming one of the key styling hacks of the season, but as someone who has experimented with the look extensively, I can confirm that it’s not always the easiest to execute.
That was until I came across this H&M embellished shift dress, which instantly took on a minimalist, Gwyneth Paltrow-worthy vibe when I slipped it over a pair of bootcut trousers and finished with simple square-toe heels. I think the secret lies in the dress’s tailored but not tight fit and its neutral colourway, which complements the streamlined black trousers. Can I also make a pitch for the return of the subtle bootcut? It offers a more tailored alternative to the classic wide-leg, plus it’s a better shape for layering under longer hemlines.
Finish the look with ’90s-inspired oval sunnies and a leather blazer. Shop more H&M springtime buys.
