The high-end of the high-street market (we’re talking Whistles prices here, around £150 for a dress) has been variously dominated by the French (Maje, Zadig & Voltaire, Sandro and The Kooples) and the Scandis (Filippa K, Baum and Pferdgarten), providing women with clothes that were more exclusive than Topshop but less expensive than designer labels.

Spanish brand Bimba & Lola has been lurking under the radar. If you live (or shop) in a chichi part of London, you’ll have come across one of the label’s boutiques, on South Moulton Street, the Kings Road, Westbourne Grove or at Westfield. Or perhaps you asked that well-dressed person where they got their eye-catching patterned coat or discreetly stylish handbag, and they said Bimba & Lola. But there's been no ad or PR drive. In fact, lots of people (including some fashion people) haven’t even heard of Bimba & Lola. Which has to change because it is, for my money, one of the best high-end high-street stores in the world.

The clothes – colourful, playful, fashion-y yet smart – are completely original, fun in a way that cool-girl French clothes aren’t and very, very wearable. Quality is top-notch and the pieces have that weight and finish you'd expect of a much higher price point. 

The Never Underdressed Guide to Bimba & Lola

The palette at Bimba & Lola is generally bold. The knitwear, especially, is brightly coloured and there are lots of Lurex metallic finishes.

Pattern also features quite heavily, like with this slinky dress. Imagine for a moment it isn’t being shot via a selfie and you have, I think, the perfect wedding guest dress. For £155.

Separates are the mainstay of Bimba & Lola, which means the pieces are very versatile. You could pair this skirt (currently on sale in the mid-season sale at £77) with a T-shirt, sweatshirt  or jumper and the top (£84) features a cut-out panel in the back, which means that when you team it with jeans, it still looks quite interesting and ‘fashion’.     

Bimba & Lola also does a nice line in the type of clothes you could wear to a smart office. I imagine an architect or the type of barrister George Clooney would become engaged to might wear this jumpsuit (£170) and blazer (£200) combination. 

This blouse (£105), skirt (£125) and jumper (£90) look is also fun-office-appropriate.

Their accessories and footwear are completely brilliant.  Jewellery is fun and bold and the bags, which are quite understated and inconspicuous, are made from super-soft Italian leather. 

The shoes are a perfect mix of classic and on-trend and generally the emphasis is on comfort and quirkiness rather than cripplingly high glamour. (The pink court shoes are £175 and the wedge sandals are £80.)

Notes 
If you don't live near a Bimba & Lola store, you can shop online as the brand delivers within the EU. Sizing is quite generous: a 36 is a big size eight. Their small, medium and large seem standard. I take a size seven and a half in shoes and at Bimba & Lola I’m size 40.

Their South Molton Street store is currently undergoing renovations but will re-open later in May.

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