I tested five-star fashion from the high street, from M&S leggings to an H&M T-shirt
Have you ever wondered which store to go to for the best shapewear?
Or where do you buy the perfect jeans?
Look no further than our five-star fashion guide.
Clemmie Fieldsend has selected six hero items from in store and online, based on customer reviews and ratings.
She then gives HER judgment and star rating.
SHAPEWEAR
High Waist Shaping Shorts, £14.99 (on sale), Conturve
7
SHAPEWEAR is no longer about making our curves disappear, but about creating them with a flowing silhouette.
And most importantly: be comfortable.
The high-waisted long shorts are the most popular style in Britain and the most praised brand is Conturve.
The high-waisted shapewear shorts receive more positive comments on average than other industry leaders, with more than 3,200 five-star reviews.
The online retailer’s underwear costs €44.99, but is almost always on sale, currently only €14.99.
The shorts are available in sizes 8-26 and promise freedom of movement while offering support.
Satisfied shoppers say these are “by far the best shapewear I have ever purchased” and “simply amazing results.”
CLEMMIE’S VERDICT: “There is a video online of a woman who puts her stomach in shorts and then disappears, I did not have that experience.
“Yes, they contour, the silicone strip at the top works great, but it didn’t give me a flat stomach.
“I’m all for accentuating curves, but I don’t want to accentuate my stomach, I’d rather hide it.”
Number of *****reviews: 3,200
Clemmie’s rating: ***
LEGGINGS
High Waist Leggings, £17.50 for a set of two, Marks & Spencer
7
WHEN it comes to leggings, M&S is the winner in terms of customer reviews.
A whopping 2,750 customers gave the store’s high-waisted two-pack an average rating of four stars.
With two pairs for only €17.50, this is a bargain.
One shopper gave the trousers five stars for quality, value for money, fit and style, saying: “I love that you can get different leg lengths, great price for two pairs, have already ordered another pair.”
The leggings range from size 6-26, are available in extra short, short/petite, regular, long and extra long, and are available in black or blue to suit all requirements.
M&S also makes fleece liners and maternity leggings.
says Clemmie: “The reviewers are enthusiastic about them: the leggings are very comfortable and feel soft.
“The waistband feels thick and like it never slips down, and also gives definition around my waist.
“Plus, it’s always useful to have two of the same items, it feels like you’re getting a free gift.
“But when they are stretched, they are not completely opaque, so they are certainly not suitable for any form of exercise.”
Number of *****reviews: 2,750
Clemmie’s rating: ****
BRA
Mollie bra, £28, Boux Avenue
7
OUR underwear is the foundation of every outfit, so it’s crucial that it fits properly.
When it comes to bras, there are so many available that it can be difficult to decide which design, shape, color and cup suits you best.
But if you have a bra that has more than 2,350 five-star reviews, it’s safe to say it’s a good one.
Boux Avenue’s Mollie bra is so popular that it is sold on average every seven minutes.
The brand says it is “the deep everyday bra with intricate lace floral details that give you all the support and comfort you need from a bra.”
The bra has removable padding and adjustable straps and is available in sizes 28A-44G and ten different colors for €28.
And shoppers were in an uproar, with some claiming it was “absolutely fantastic” and that it was “favourite bra”.
One customer wrote a rave review saying, “I love it! It gives me so much confidence and it is so comfortable.
“SOOO beautiful, I love the way it fits, so comfortable and I feel so much more confident, the material is so beautiful and I love the lace.”
SAYS CLEMMIE: “When I first picked it up, the bra felt very heavy, so I immediately removed the padding.
“The fit and comfort were all well and good, but it’s personally not what I expect from a bra.
“The overall shape of my bust seemed almost conical and I prefer a rounder bust.
“However, the lace is nice, the cut is good and the lift is strong if that’s what you’re looking for, but it’s just not for me.”
Number of *****reviews: 2,350
Clemmie’s rating: ***
T-SHIRT
Cotton T-shirt, £5.99, H&M
7
A CLASSIC white T-shirt is a wardrobe staple that most of us have at least one of.
Finding a good one isn’t that easy, but almost 9,000 people have reviewed H&M’s cotton T-shirt, which also comes in five other colorways – and the majority have given it five stars.
One die-hard fan said that after she bought white, she also bought two other shades because she “couldn’t get enough of it.”
She wrote: “So light and breathable, they are great in warmer weather but can be worn at work, at home or anywhere else.”
The size 14-16 woman claims that “the large fits perfectly.
“There’s still some room, so it’s not too tight on the chest or hips.”
While another said she couldn’t believe how good the quality was for the price.
SAYS CLEMMIE: “The length is right, I’m tired of trying on T-shirts and feeling like Winnie the Pooh.
“And I like the sleeve length, but I’m not sure this is the best T-shirt in the world.
“It’s quite thin. I tried it on with a nude bra and you can see it.
“I’m afraid it will thin out after several washes in worn areas like the armpits and neckline – but at $5.99 it’s a bargain.”
Number of ***** reviews: 9,000
Clemmie’s rating: ***
JEANS
Levi’s 711 Skinny Jeans, £65 – £95
7
WHEN it comes to jeans, specialist denim brand Levis is a firm favourite.
The brand has an estimated 2.1 million fans in the UK and many more worldwide.
Scouring data, stars and reviews show that the most popular shape and style is the 711 Skinny Jeans.
The shapely drainpipe style is available in five colors in waist sizes from 23 to 34 inches (UK size 4 to 16).
You can buy the must-have jeans from Levis for €95, or shop around to find them for an average of €65.
They’re quite pricey, but some of the 3,360 five-star reviews say they “last forever” and are “amazing.”
A 6ft tall shopper said on Amazon: “Nice material with just the right amount of stretch.
“I recommend buying these jeans, you won’t regret it.”
Another said on Google Reviews that they had had theirs for three years and “still love the fit and shape.”
SAYS CLEMMIE: “I’m a fan of Levi’s and have had a pair for four years. I know they are expensive, but they have a long lifespan.
“Skinnies are not my favorite style, but other than that I thought they were a good pair of jeans.
“Personally, I prefer my denims to have no give, but if you do, these have a light stretch that feels like it will bounce back instantly.
“I’m 1.80 meters and the ‘normal’ height falls just around my ankle.”
Number of *****ratings: 3,360
Clemmie’s rating: ****
MARBLES
Wirapa High Waist Cotton Briefs, £18.69 for 4, Amazon
7
We all have our favorite brand of underwear, but 114,357 people left reviews for Wirapa’s high-waisted cotton briefs – making them Amazon’s most popular brand – and 76 percent rated them five stars.
Prices range from €18.69 for four to €24.64 for five, depending on color scheme and size.
The makers claim that the 95 percent cotton panties have a waistband that won’t slip down or pinch, and provide slight abdominal support, but reduce the muffin top appearance.
Shoppers agree.
One wrote: “They don’t roll or crawl under your clothes no matter what you wear.
“I’m a size 18/20 and the ‘L’ is perfect for me.”
Another, who bought the 4XL (size 28/30), said: “These are great!!
“The elastic is super soft and you don’t feel uncomfortable with it.
“The material is great, thicker than most panties, but very stretchy and soft.”
SAYS CLEMMIE: “Of the 24 different multi-packs you can buy these in, I went for a sensible black and nude four-pack, which costs £18.69.
“Their shape is not something I would be caught dead in because they look like post-op underwear.
“The cotton is soft, but no softer than Primark or M&S trousers and they don’t hold your stomach.”
Number of ***** reviews: 88,313
Clemmie’s rating: *