Why these are the five best pieces from the new luxury design-led Uniqlo: C collection

As we get deeper into the new fashion season, the new collection I’m most excited about, is one delivering brilliantly designed and affordable clothes that look like they were made by a high-end fashion house, yet won’t empty your pocket.

That collection is the Uniqlo: C range. You’re thinking Uniqlo - aren’t they just about good quality basics? Well, yes they are, but the Uniqlo: C is that concept with a few dozen bells on!

The “C” in Uniqlo: C stands for Clare Waight Keller, a designer whose work I have admired for years. Clare is a designer with a capital D. Not only because her last two jobs were at Givenchy, where she designed Meghan Markle’s wedding dress among many other beautiful collections for the house, and before that Chloe. No. Clare knows how to design precisely cut, thought through, high-quality modern fashion that will serve you for many years. She chose to work at Uniqlo as global creative director because she wants to bring good design to as many people as possible.

For me, a person who adores designer fashion, but can rarely afford it, this is a cause for celebration in itself! If this is you, too, then today is your day.

So, to my personal recommendations for what to buy from the new Uniqlo C range which arrived in stores and online over the weekend. This collection excels with its outerwear. I’ve chosen the precision cut houndstooth coat, with its lining and internal pocket, which can be worn both casually and smart, and the relaxed yet stealthy – and warm! - Puffertech jacket with its fluffy collar, and snug cuffs. Both cost £109.90, though there are also plain coloured long coats for £99.90.

For everyday wear you could do no better than the flowy striped skirt in variegated striped in either blues and tan or burgundy and navy stripes. Another winning piece is the relaxed V-neck cashmere jumper which comes in six colours, and with – my favourite detail – a detachable scarf.

With the popularity of silk squares this summer, it’s good to see the shape and style flipped into cashmere for winter, making for a sweet and quite jaunty accessory and one update we can all get behind.

Finally, to the piece that is already getting a lot of attention – the double breasted long line tailored jacket, which comes in navy, black and grey. I have bought the grey, which I love – and this has already been worn by Cate Blanchett who has become an ambassador for Uniqlo – but the black and navy (which is already selling fast) are worth the investment.

Buy any one of these five items in any, or more than one, of the colours, and you'll have a lasting fashion piece by a great designer at a price that will not hurt your bottom line.

I honestly don’t think properly great, democratic high style gets better than this.

Shop five instant modern wardrobe classics by Clare Waight Keller for Uniqlo: C