The looks worth saving

Street style has changed. A decade ago it was all about peacocking outside shows, with photographers chasing the loudest outfit on the pavement. Now the looks that stick are quieter and far more useful. They're the ones you see and immediately think you could wear on a Tuesday. Here are the outfits our editors keep coming back to, and why they work.

The long coat and jeans

A floor-skimming wool coat over straight jeans, a simple knit and a flat shoe. It's the most copied outfit of the last few seasons, and for good reason. It works for almost every body, every budget and every occasion short of a wedding. The trick is the length of the coat. The longer it is, the more polished the whole look becomes.

The white shirt, done properly

A crisp, oversized white shirt half-tucked into wide trousers, sleeves rolled, collar open. Add gold hoops and a slick of red lip. It's simple, but every element is considered. The shirt is slightly too big, the trousers pool at the shoe, and the jewellery is bold enough to be seen. COS and Arket shirts get you there for under £100.

The unexpected shoe

Some of the best looks come down to footwear. A slip dress with chunky trainers. A suit with ballet flats. A floral midi with cowboy boots. Swapping the obvious shoe for something that contrasts with the outfit is the quickest way to make it look like yours rather than a mannequin's.

Head-to-toe tonal

Wearing one colour from top to toe, in slightly different shades, always looks expensive. A chocolate knit with caramel trousers. Grey marl with charcoal. Cream with oatmeal. Mixing textures within the colour keeps it interesting. It's also a clever way to make high street pieces look like they came from the same designer collection.

The vintage find

Many of the most memorable street style looks include one piece that's clearly vintage. A battered leather jacket, an old silk scarf, a beaded bag from a charity shop. It adds character new clothes can't. Vestiaire Collective, Vinted and local vintage shops are the places to hunt. Give yourself time, because the best finds rarely turn up on the first visit.

The perfect blazer

Oversized, slightly boyish and worn with everything. Over a T-shirt and jeans, over a slip dress, over a hoodie at the weekend. A great blazer is the most versatile piece most women own. Look for a single-breasted cut in navy, grey or black wool. Reiss and Massimo Dutti do strong versions, and the men's section is often better still.

The bag that makes the outfit

A plain outfit with a striking bag is a street style staple. A bright red top-handle, an oversized slouchy leather, a woven basket in winter. It shows you can be playful without the rest of the outfit trying too hard. Polène and DeMellier are great mid-price options with a designer feel.

How to save the look

Screenshotting is easy. Turning it into an outfit is harder. When you find a look you love, break it down. What's the main shape? What's the colour story? What's the one surprising detail? Then look in your own wardrobe first. You'll often have most of it already and only need one piece to finish it.

Make it yours

The point of street style isn't to copy it exactly. It's to borrow an idea and make it work with your own life, budget and body. The people who look best in these photos are the ones who look comfortable, because they're wearing clothes that suit them, not a costume.

Our edit below picks out the key pieces behind each look, so you can build your own version without starting from scratch.

Start with your own wardrobe

Before buying anything to copy a look, check what you already have. Most of these outfits are built on a coat, jeans, a shirt and a good shoe. Chances are you own three of the four. Buy the missing piece only.