I tested the high street’s 5-star rated fashion – M&S’ leggings won but H&M’s T-shirt made me feel like Winnie the Pooh
EVER wondered which store to go to for the best shapewear?
Or where to buy the perfect pair of jeans?
Look no further than our five-star fashion guide.
Clemmie Fieldsend has hand-picked six hero items from the high street and online, based on customer reviews and ratings.
She then gives HER verdict and star rating.
SHAPEWEAR
High-waisted shaping shorts, £14.99 (in sale), Conturve
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SHAPEWEAR is no longer about making our curves disappear, but creating them with a smooth silhouette.
And more importantly being comfortable.
The high-waisted, long short is the UK’s most popular style and the brand with the most praise is Conturve.
Its high-waisted shaping shorts have, on average, more positive comments than other market leaders with more than 3,200 five-star reviews.
The online retailer’s underwear is priced at £44.99, but it’s nearly always on sale, as at the moment for just £14.99.
The shorts come in sizes 8-26 and promise free movement while providing support.
Happy shoppers say they are “easily the best shaping underwear I’ve ever bought” and “simply amazing results.”
CLEMMIE’S VERDICT: “Online there is a video of a woman tucking her tummy into the shorts which then disappears, I didn’t have that experience.
“Yes, they do contour, the silicone strip around the top works a treat but they didn’t give me a flat stomach.
"I’m all for enhancing curves but I don’t want to enhance my stomach, I’d rather hide it.”
Number of ***** reviews: 3,200
Clemmie's rating: ***
LEGGINGS
High-waisted leggings, £17.50 for two-pack, Marks & Spencer
WHEN it comes to leggings, M&S is the winner for customer reviews.
A huge 2,750 customers gave the store’s high-waisted two-pack an average rating of four stars.
With two pairs for just £17.50, this is a bargain.
One shopper gave the bottoms five stars for quality, value for money, fit and style and said: “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, come in extra short, short/petite, regular, long and extra long, and are available in black or blue, so they have all bases covered.
M&S also does fleece-lined and maternity leggings.
Clemmie says: “The reviewers are bang on – the leggings are very, very comfortable and soft to touch.
"The waistband feels thick and like it will never slip down and also gives definition around my middle.
“Plus it’s always helpful to have two of the same item, feels like you’re getting a freebie.
"But when stretched they are not quite opaque so they’re definitely not for any form of exercise.”
Number of ***** reviews: 2,750
Clemmie's rating: ****
BRA
Mollie bra, £28, Boux Avenue
OUR underwear is the foundation of every outfit so it’s vital to get it right.
When it comes to bras, there’s so much available that it can be hard to decide what design, shape, colour and cup is right for you.
But when you have a bra that’s had more than 2,350 five-star reviews, it’s safe to say it will be a good ’un.
Boux Avenue’s Mollie bra is so popular it sells on average every seven minutes.
The brand says it is “the everyday plunge bra with intricate lace floral details that give you all the support and comfort you need from a bra”.
The bra has removable padding, adjustable straps and is available in sizes 28A-44G and ten different colours for £28.
And it’s had shoppers in a frenzy with some insisting it’s “absolutely fantastic” and they’re “favourite bra”.
One customer wrote a rave review saying: “Love it! Makes me feel so confident and is so comfy.
“SOOO pretty, love the way it fits, so comfortable and it makes me feel so much more confident in myself, the material is so pretty and I love the lace.”
CLEMMIE SAYS: “When I first picked it up, the bra felt very weighty, so I instantly whipped the padding out.
“The fit and comfort was all well and good but it’s personally not what I want from a bra.
"The overall shape of my bust looked verging on cone-like and I prefer a rounder shape bust.
“However the lace is nice, the plunge is good and the lift is strong if that’s what you’re after, but it’s just not for me.”
Number of ***** reviews: 2,350
Clemmie's rating: ***
T-SHIRT
Cotton T-shirt, £5.99, H&M
A CLASSIC white T-shirt is a wardrobe staple that most of us own one or more of.
Finding a good one isn’t that easy, but nearly 9,000 people have reviewed H&M’s cotton T-shirt, which also comes in five other colourways – and the majority have given it five stars.
One die-hard fan said, after buying in white, she went back for two other shades, too, because she “can’t get enough”.
She wrote: “So light and breathable, they’re great for warmer weather but can be worn at work, home or anywhere really.”
The size 14 -16 woman claims “the large fits perfectly.
"Still got some room so it’s not too tight across the chest or hips.”
While another said she couldn’t believe how good the quality was for the price.
CLEMMIE SAYS: “The length is spot on, I’m sick of trying on T-shirts and feeling like Winnie the Pooh.
"And the sleeve length is where I like it, but I’m not sure this is the best T-shirt in the world.
“It’s quite thin. I’ve tried it on with a nude bra and you can see it.
“I worry that after several washes it will become thinner in worn-out 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
WHEN it comes to jeans, specialist denim brand Levis is a firm favourite.
The brand has an estimated 2.1million fans in Britain and plenty more worldwide, too.
From scouring data, stars and reviews, its most popular shape and style is its 711 Skinny Jeans.
The shapely drainpipe style comes in five colours in waist sizes 23in to 34in (UK size 4 to 16.)
You can buy the must-have jeans from Levis for £95, or shop around to find them for on average £65.
They are pretty pricey, but some of the 3,360 five-star reviews say they “last forever” and are “amazing”.
A 5ft 2in shopper said on Amazon: “Lovely 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’d had theirs for three years and “still love the fit and shape”.
CLEMMIE SAYS: “I am a Levi’s fan and have had a pair for four years. I know they are pricey but they have longevity.
“Skinnies aren’t my go-to shape, but aside from that I found they’re decent jean.
"Personally, I prefer no give in my denims but if you do these have slight stretch that feels as though it will bounce back immediately.
“I’m 5ft 6in and the ‘regular’ length sits just on my ankle.”
Number of ***** reviews: 3,360
Clemmie's rating: ****
KNICKERS
Wirapa high-waisted cotton full briefs, £18.69 for 4, Amazon
WE all have our favourite brand of knickers, but 114,357 people left reviews for Wirapa’s high-waisted cotton full briefs – making them Amazon’s most popular – with 76 per cent rating them five stars.
Prices vary from £18.69 for four to £24.64 for five, depending on colourway and size.
Its makers claim the 95 per cent cotton knickers have a waistband that doesn’t slip down or pinch, and offers light tummy support but reduces the appearance of muffin tops.
Shoppers agree.
One wrote: “They don’t roll or ride up underneath your clothing no matter what you’re wearing.
"I am a size 18/20 and the ‘L’ is perfect for me.”
Another, who bought the 4XL (size 28/30) said: “These are amazing!!
“The elastic is super-soft and there is no uncomfortable digging in.
"The material is amazing, thicker than most knickers, but very stretchy and soft.”
CLEMMIE SAYS: “Out of the 24 different multi-packs you can buy these in, I went for a sensible black and nude four-pack, which is £18.69.
“Their shape isn’t something I’d want to be caught dead in, as they look like post-surgery underwear.
“The cotton is soft but no softer than a Primark or M&S pant and they don’t hold your stomach in.”
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Number of ***** reviews: 88,313
Clemmie's rating: *