Okay so last week I had one of those panic moments where I realized I had a brand meeting in literally twenty minutes and I looked… not great. You know that feeling when you’re supposed to look like you have your life together but you’re actually wearing yesterday’s jeans and a hoodie with a questionable stain? Yeah, that was me.
I was rushing down the street trying to figure out where I could grab something decent that fast, and I ended up ducking into John Lewis because it was right there. And I know what you’re thinking – John Lewis? For fashion? That’s where your mum buys towels and wedding gifts, not where you go for actual style inspiration.
But here’s the thing… I walked out twenty minutes later looking completely different. I grabbed this black blazer from their AND/OR range that fit like it was made for me, paired it with these amazing wide-leg trousers, and suddenly I looked like someone who actually knows what they’re doing. The whole outfit came to around £200, which isn’t nothing but also isn’t crazy expensive for pieces that looked way more premium than their price tags.
The meeting went great, by the way. The brand rep even asked where my blazer was from, and when I said John Lewis she looked genuinely surprised. “Really? Their own brand?” Like she couldn’t quite believe it. Which got me thinking… when did John Lewis become this overlooked fashion destination that everyone sleeps on?
I started paying more attention after that, and honestly? Their fashion game has gotten so much better over the past few years. While everyone’s obsessing over Zara drops and ASOS hauls, John Lewis has been quietly building these really solid in-house collections that actually compete with brands we pay way more for.
Their AND/OR line is probably my favorite discovery. It’s got this laid-back but polished vibe that reminds me of AllSaints or & Other Stories, but without the price shock. I picked up this oversized denim shirt for £55 that has the perfect weight and wash – you know how hard it is to find good denim shirts? Usually you’re looking at £100+ from the trendy brands, but this one’s better quality than most I’ve tried.
I wore it to a coffee meeting last month and my friend immediately asked if it was Ganni. When I told her it was John Lewis she literally made me show her the label because she didn’t believe me. That’s when you know you’ve found something good – when people assume it’s from a much more expensive brand.
Then there’s their Modern Rarity collection, which is basically what would happen if COS and Jigsaw had a baby. Really clean, minimal pieces in gorgeous fabrics that don’t scream “high street” at all. I have this cashmere jumper from them with these subtle balloon sleeves that gets compliments every single time I wear it. Cost me £99, but I’ve seen almost identical styles at Net-a-Porter for three times that.
The crazy thing is how under the radar all this is. Like, John Lewis doesn’t do buzzy collaborations or have influencers posting hauls. They just… quietly make really good clothes? It’s almost refreshing in a world where everything has to be the next big thing or viral moment.
I’ve been building my work wardrobe around their pieces lately, and it’s working so well. Those wide-leg wool trousers I mentioned? They’ve become my go-to for any important meeting because they just make you look put-together without trying too hard. Paired with a simple white tee or silk blouse, they hit that sweet spot of professional but not stuffy.
What really sold me on their fashion credentials though was their newest range – ANYDAY. I was skeptical because it’s their budget line, but the design quality is actually impressive. The cotton basics have proper weight to them, not that flimsy stuff you get from fast fashion brands. And their simple dresses around £35-40 have details like actual pockets and flattering seaming that you rarely see at that price point.
I posted a TikTok wearing one of their ANYDAY dresses recently and got so many comments asking where it was from. When I revealed it was John Lewis for under £40, the response was wild. People genuinely couldn’t believe it looked that good for that price. The video got way more engagement than my usual fashion content, which tells you something about how many people are sleeping on this.
Beyond their own brands, they’re also really smart about the external labels they stock. Instead of cramming every possible brand into chaotic displays, they curate things thoughtfully. You’ll find Whistles, Toast, and Jigsaw alongside their own pieces, often in these mini shop-in-shop setups that actually make sense.
Their denim section deserves special mention because finding good jeans is literally the worst part of shopping, right? But they stock proper ranges from Levi’s, Lee, and some premium brands, with staff who actually understand fit differences. After years of ordering jeans online and sending half of them back, it’s amazing to try things on with someone who can suggest different styles based on what you’re looking for.
The service aspect is honestly refreshing. The staff actually seem to know about the products instead of just pushing whatever has the highest margin. When I was buying a wool coat last winter, the woman helping me gave genuine advice about care and durability rather than just trying to upsell me accessories.
And can we talk about their return policy? Thirty-five days, no questions asked. After getting used to easy online returns, it’s nice to have that same flexibility when shopping in person. Makes you more willing to try things you might not be completely sure about.
What really gets me though is how they’re approaching sustainability without making it this huge marketing thing. Their own-brand pieces come with clear info about materials and manufacturing, they’re using more sustainable fabrics across ranges, and the whole partnership model where employees actually share in profits feels pretty progressive for retail.
Look, I’m not saying everything they make is perfect. Some of their older collections still feel a bit dated, and the menswear can be hit or miss. The online shopping experience isn’t as inspiring as some competitors – the clothes often look better in person than they do on the website, which is kind of the opposite problem most brands have.
But that’s almost part of the charm? In a retail world obsessed with perfect Instagram aesthetics and viral moments, there’s something refreshing about a store that’s focused on just making good clothes at fair prices. They’re not trying to be the coolest brand in your feed, they’re trying to be the reliable one in your wardrobe.
My closet now has way more John Lewis pieces than I ever expected. That emergency blazer from the meeting has become a staple I reach for constantly. The cashmere jumper gets regular rotation. I just bought a linen blazer from ANYDAY for £45 that looks significantly more expensive and will probably become my summer uniform.
These aren’t the pieces I get excited about when they arrive – they’re not going to give you that dopamine hit of a trendy purchase. But they’re the ones I actually wear constantly, the reliable foundations that make everything else in my wardrobe work better.
I think that’s John Lewis’s real strength right now. They occupy this middle ground between disposable fast fashion and unaffordable luxury that’s becoming really rare on the high street. Their clothes are designed to last beyond one season, both in terms of construction and style, at prices that don’t require serious financial planning.
In my content, I’m always talking about finding that balance between trendy and timeless, affordable and ethical. John Lewis kind of nails that combination without making a big deal about it. They’re not perfect, but they’re genuinely trying to do better while making clothes that work for real life.
So next time you’re walking past John Lewis on your way to Zara or wherever, maybe duck inside for a minute. Actually look at their own-brand stuff instead of just heading straight to homewares. Try things on. Check the fabric quality and finishing.
You might be surprised to discover that one of the best-kept secrets in British fashion has been hiding in plain sight this whole time. Sometimes the most overlooked option turns out to be the smartest choice – and in a world of fast fashion and overpriced trends, that feels pretty revolutionary.
