I tried on everything from H&M's latest designer collaboration - and these are the 11 pieces worth buying
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Way back when I was a newbie fashion assistant in London, working for some of the top celebrity fashion stylists in the luxury space, we would pull rail upon rail of clothes for New York premieres, award ceremonies, press junkets and interviews.
I would fawn over the clothing hanging in the studios, in awe of the beautiful fabrics and carefully crafted pieces where every detail had been considered. I longed to own similar pieces myself.
These are the kinds of clothes that make women look instantly put together – strong, sexy and polished. It felt so simple: the right-fitting denim paired with the perfect silk cami and a structured wool blazer. Nonchalant, yet perfect.
One of the labels I would always look out for when hunting for the best staples for a press tour wardrobe was cult brand Wardrobe.NYC. Think the perfect white T-shirt, a sharply structured blazer, the most effortlessly draped silk cami, well-cut jeans and a beautiful long-sleeved white bodysuit to wear under everything. However, the price tag always put the brand out of my reach – until H&M announced its latest designer collaboration. I audibly gasped with excitement when the PR told me over coffee one morning.
I have been so excited to try this collection myself. However, as launch day approached, I wondered if the pieces could possibly live up to my expectations. After all, they're a fraction of the price, so what would that mean for the quality?
Wardrobe.NYC x H&M
But my anxiety actually centred on something bigger. Minimal tailoring has long been the unofficial uniform of the magazine world and, when it hangs on the bodies of waif-like women, it looks effortlessly chic. But what about those of us with a fuller bust, hips and thighs? Fabrics designed to drape become pulled in all the wrong places, straight silhouettes are reshaped by curves, and suddenly you're spilling over seams you wish you weren't. It's a combination that can leave you feeling deflated as you try to recreate a look that seems so flawless on your peers.
As I walked into the H&M showroom – a beautifully curated space with swathes of draped fabric – I needn't have worried. Christine Centenera and Josh Goot, the designers behind Wardrobe.NYC, have approached this collaboration with the same precision and passion as their own label. Every detail is designed to celebrate women.
This is a capsule wardrobe that champions power dressing without compromising on comfort or style. From a white bodysuit with brilliant shoulder pads to a longline structured blazer that cinches the waist without overwhelming your frame, every piece feels thoughtfully considered.
My hero pieces have to be the blue shoulder-padded shirt, the incredible black glossy stretch trousers (which I was convinced I'd hate until I tried them on – the fit is outstanding), the white bodysuit and the blazer. But from the shoes to the vests and coats, this is a collection built to last.
With prices ranging from just £22.99 to £379.99, there's an entry point for almost every budget, whether you're investing in impeccable tailoring or simply adding one elevated staple to your wardrobe. The Wardrobe.NYC x H&M collection launches on 6 August 2026 at hm.com – and if previous H&M designer collaborations are anything to go by, you'll want to move fast.