This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Our daily workwear reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.

This shirtdress from Mango caught my eye when I was looking for some machine-washable dresses for summer. The medium blue color is almost a neutral, but not quite.

I would wear this to the office with a navy sweater over my shoulders and a pair of comfy flats. 

The dress is on sale for $69.99 (marked down from $99.99) at Macy’s and comes in sizes XS-XL. 

Sales of note for 4/24:

• Ann Taylor – Friends of Ann Event, 30% off your purchase PLUS $50 off $100! Readers love this popover blouse, and their suiting is also in the sale.
• Boden – 15% off new styles
• Brooklinen – 25% off sitewide — we have and love these sateen sheets
• Evereve – Now through Sunday: up to 70% off! Markdowns include Alex Mill, Michael Stars, Sanctuary, Rails, Xirena, and Z-Supply
• Express – $39+ Summer Styles
• J.Crew – Friends & Family Event, 30% off your purchase! Good deals on blazers and boots
• J.Crew Factory – 40% off everything, extra 50% off clearance, and extra 20% off $125+
• Lands’ End – 50% off full price styles and 60% off all clearance and sale – lots of ponte dresses come down under $25, and this packable raincoat in gingham is too cute
• Loft – Friends & Family event, 40% off entire purchase + extra 15% off + free shipping
• M.M.LaFleur – This weekend only, save 25% on dresses. Try code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off.
• Nordstrom – 1500+ new women’s markdowns
• Sephora – Up to 50% off hair deals today only – includes Shark Beauty tools! (See our recent discussion on how to upgrade the Revlon brush.)
• Talbots – Friends & Family event, 30% off entire purchase – today only, free shipping, no minimum
• TOCCIN – Use code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off!
• Vivrelle – Looking to own less stuff but still try trends? Use code CORPORETTE for a free month, and borrow high-end designer clothes and bags!

H&M is reuniting with Stella McCartney for a 2026 designer collection to hit the racks in May. The fast-fashion retailer first teamed with McCartney in 2005 — for the second installment of H&M’s groundbreaking series of high-low fashion collections. Those drops have brought budget shoppers a range of interesting (and labelled) pieces that go beyond your standard H&M tanks and tees.

Read next: How to shop H&M

A 2026 reboot of Stella McCartney x H&M gives us the perfect excuse to revisit the history of H&M designer collabs. It’s a look-back back that shows off H&M’s depth and signals why this fast-fashion retailer has survived changing times when so many others have failed.

Early collab years: 2004-2008

H&M launched its first designer collection in 2004. In those early years, the high-low strategy was still new. Budget shoppers warmed to it quickly, enjoying access to some of the best-known names in fashion:

• 2004: Karl Lagerfeld. Lagerfeld’s H&M collection featured sleek tailoring and sharp silhouettes in a monochrome palette. He was Chanel’s creative director at the time, and H&M’s first designer collaboration definitely featured that Chanel energy. Shop Karl Lagerfeld x H&M on Poshmark.
• 2005: Stella McCartney. McCartney’s contribution included feminine, wearable pieces with soft tailoring and modern simplicity. Shop Stella McCartney x H&M on Poshmark.
• 2006: Viktor & Rolf. These pieces were playful and conceptual. In that high-design spirit, the collection had an artistic edge, but remained wearable enough for the H&M masses. Shop Viktor & Rolf x H&M on Poshmark.
• 2007: Robert Cavalli. The Robert Cavalli x H&M collection was all about nightlife energy by way of bold prints, metallics, and glam party pieces. Shop Robert Cavalli x H&M on Poshmark.
• 2008: Comme des Garçons. Avant-garde tailoring with unexpected shapes and polka dots that pushed H&M shoppers outside their comfort zone. Shop Comme de Garçons x H&M on Poshmark.

Collab momentum: 2009 to 2014

Momentum behind H&M’s collabs began to ramp in 2009. Increasingly, the annual drops inspired frenzy from shoppers who stood at the ready to snap up affordable Jimmy Choos and more.

• Spring 2009: Matthew Williamson. A colorful, boho-luxe collection with bold prints and breezy silhouettes that felt like vacation dressing you could actually afford.
• Autumn 2009: Jimmy Choo. A statement-driven accessories drop featuring party-ready heels and bags that brought designer footwear within reach.
• Spring 2010: Sonia Rykiel. Playful knits, stripes, and Parisian charm defined this cozy-meets-chic collection with a distinctly feminine edge. See it here.
• Autumn 2010: Lanvin. Romantic dresses, luxe-looking fabrics, and polished tailoring that made high fashion feel surprisingly wearable.
• 2011: Versace. Bold patterns, body-conscious silhouettes, and high-glam energy that delivered unmistakable Versace drama at H&M prices.
• Spring 2012: Marni. Quirky prints, layered styling, and slightly offbeat proportions that appealed to shoppers who wanted something different.
• Autumn 2012: Maison Martin Margiela. Conceptual, archival-inspired pieces with oversized shapes and deconstructed details that felt more collectible than everyday.
• 2013: Isabel Marant. Effortless, slightly undone Parisian style with relaxed fits, boho touches, and easy, wearable separates.
• 2014: Alexander Wang. Sporty, minimalist designs with an athletic edge that blurred the line between streetwear and performance wear.

Read next: Target designer collaborations: Decades of budget fashion perfection

The social media era: 2015 onward

Beginning in the mid-2010s, social media began propelling H&M’s designer collections to new heights. While H&M increasingly drew criticism for its quick-turn collections

• 2015: Balmain. Ultra-glam, heavily embellished pieces with strong shoulders and celebrity-driven hype that defined the collab era.
• 2016: KENZO. Loud and bold, statement silhouettes that felt energetic, youthful, and unapologetically fun.
• 2017: Erdem. Romantic florals and vintage-inspired silhouettes that leaned softer, more delicate, and occasion-ready.
• 2018: Moschino. Playful, logo-heavy pieces with pop culture references and a distinctly tongue-in-cheek attitude.
• 2019: Giambattista Valli. Dramatic tulle dresses and elevated evening wear that brought red-carpet energy to H&M pricing. See it here.
• 2021: Simone Rocha. Intricate, feminine designs with pearls, volume, and craftsmanship that felt special and collectible.
• 2021: Toga Archives. Eclectic, layered pieces with hardware details and a cool, offbeat styling perspective.
• Spring 2023: Mugler. Body-contouring silhouettes, sheer panels, and bold tailoring that emphasized confidence and structure.
• Autumn 2023: Rabanne. Metallics, chainmail, and party-ready pieces that leaned into futuristic glamour and statement dressing.

In 2024, H&M celebrated 20 years of designer collabs by re-releasing used pieces from prior collections.

Read next: The ins and outs of the H&M return policy

Why high-low collaborations matter

You can rely on H&M designer launches to bring you high-style statement pieces on a budget. They’re also an affordable way to experiment with a designer aesthetic. There are trade-offs, of course. Relative to true designer pieces, your high-low garments will have lower-end materials and less exclusivity. And, while these collections can sell out quickly, the pieces won’t have the enduring value of, say, a Chanel bag.

Read next: P.E. Nation x H&M Collection

Smart shopping rules apply

The high-low collections that launch with tons of buzz can tempt you into breaking your own smart shopping rules. Don’t do it. If you want to buy a Stella McCartney x H&M piece this spring, demand something you’ll wear multiple ways. Gift yourself a fashion workhorse — one that happens to have Stella McCartney’s name on it.

Johanna Ortiz Top & Pants, Chanel Bag, Silvia Furmanovich Necklace (similar here and here), Kashura Flats (last seen here, more colors here)

It’s that time of year when tropical pieces start to make sense again, something you want in rotation for the shift in season and setting.

I always come back to a few designers who consistently approach it well—Johanna Ortiz, Etro, Pucci, Cala de la Cruz. Each has a distinct point of view, but there’s a shared precision in how the prints are handled.

What stands out is placement and scale. Motifs follow the line of the body across draped skirts, halter necklines, and relaxed tailoring. Prints feel integrated into the shape rather than sitting on top of it.

The palette leans deeper than expected in black, rust, olive, saturated blues with sharper notes of orange and yellow woven through. It gives the pieces more range and makes them easy to wear well beyond just a beach setting.

This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

For busy working women, the suit is often the easiest outfit to throw on in the morning. In general, this feature is not about interview suits for women, which should be as classic and basic as you get — instead, this feature is about the slightly different suit that is fashionable, yet professional. Also: we just updated our big roundup for the best women’s suits of 2026!

This suit looks great. The wool check gets more interesting the closer you look — there are a number of small white nubs that almost look like polka dots. The double breasted blazer looks sleek, and the pants are a classic cut.

The blazer is $3300 at NET-A-PORTER, and the matching pants are $1400.

Sales of note for 4/24:

• Ann Taylor – Friends of Ann Event, 30% off your purchase PLUS $50 off $100! Readers love this popover blouse, and their suiting is also in the sale.
• Boden – 15% off new styles
• Brooklinen – 25% off sitewide — we have and love these sateen sheets
• Evereve – Now through Sunday: up to 70% off! Markdowns include Alex Mill, Michael Stars, Sanctuary, Rails, Xirena, and Z-Supply
• Express – $39+ Summer Styles
• J.Crew – Friends & Family Event, 30% off your purchase! Good deals on blazers and boots
• J.Crew Factory – 40% off everything, extra 50% off clearance, and extra 20% off $125+
• Lands’ End – 50% off full price styles and 60% off all clearance and sale – lots of ponte dresses come down under $25, and this packable raincoat in gingham is too cute
• Loft – Friends & Family event, 40% off entire purchase + extra 15% off + free shipping
• M.M.LaFleur – This weekend only, save 25% on dresses. Try code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off.
• Nordstrom – 1500+ new women’s markdowns
• Sephora – Up to 50% off hair deals today only – includes Shark Beauty tools! (See our recent discussion on how to upgrade the Revlon brush.)
• Talbots – Friends & Family event, 30% off entire purchase – today only, free shipping, no minimum
• TOCCIN – Use code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off!
• Vivrelle – Looking to own less stuff but still try trends? Use code CORPORETTE for a free month, and borrow high-end designer clothes and bags!

This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

I’m curious: how many colors do you have in your wardrobe, either for work or play? Do you tend to stick to a few colors either for minimalism, vanity, or preference – or do you strive to have every color represented?

I was just thinking about our old discussion on “shopping moratoriums” — I had been telling myself I needed to stop buying fuschia tops for work because I already had four, and that seemed like a lot. But fast forward a few years (cough) and now I generally only buy a handful of colors, period.

I wear black, all shades of blue, and jewel tones of purple, red, and occasionally fuschia and dark green or teal. I also will wear gray pants or white pants, but I generally don’t like to wear gray close to my face. (And yes, I buy duplicates of items I like, although mostly in black.)

This enables me to generally keep a minimal wardrobe, though not quite a capsule wardrobe — but in general I know that things will match. It also helps me with layering — I recently bought a few lighter colored sweaters on sale and trying to find something lighter colored to layer beneath them has been a pain.

This also allows me to narrow search results — when I’m shopping online I frequently will limit by size and then “my” colors.

I’m not saying this is a good thing, per se — but it just works for me.

I started wondering how many women do this. The whole idea of “color seasons” has become popular lately (here is Elizabeth’s review when she and her mom tried a few online color analysis services), and I know far more women who shop online than in store.

(Stock photo aside, I don’t know many women who only wear one color — it’s rare enough that I still remember an old New York magazine article on New Yorkers who only wear one color (by Jo from Cup of Jo, by the by).

Readers, what are your thoughts? Do you have minimal colors in your wardrobe that make it easy to repeat? Are you even stricter about it than I am? Or do you just tend to buy whatever strikes your fancy when you see it?