Marks and Spencer £24 top looks so much like trendy brand but is over half the price

Marks and Spencer has quickly become one of my favourite places on the high street to shop for, well, just about everything. From food and furniture to fashion, the retailer has seriously raised its game over the past year. As a Shopping Editor, it's somewhere I find myself returning to time and time again to browse the latest new-in arrivals and hunt down the best deals.

One thing Marks and Spencer is doing particularly well right now is creating fashion that looks far more expensive than its high-street price tag suggests. Time and again, its collections rival premium brands, delivering the same feel and aesthetic for a fraction of the cost.

Most recently, it was a polka-dot peplum top that stopped me from scrolling. The design bears a striking resemblance to a much pricier style from one of my favourite fashion labels.

Damson Madder has been firmly on my radar for years. Launched in 2020, the London-based brand has built a loyal following thanks to its playful prints, vintage-inspired silhouettes and colourful designs. It also positions itself as a more considered alternative to fast fashion, producing in small batches and prioritising lower-impact materials, with more than 92% of the cotton it uses now being organic or recycled. That commitment, combined with its distinctive designs, means its pieces tend to sit at a higher price point than brands like Marks and Spencer or Zara, but they're often worth the investment if you're after something a little different.

One piece that immediately caught my eye a few months ago was Damson Madder's white and red polka dot cami: the 'Raphi'. With a flattering square neckline, a shirred bodice and a peplum hem, it's exactly the kind of top that can elevate a simple pair of jeans without feeling overdressed (there's a matching polka dot skirt available, too). The sleeveless design also makes it ideal for warm summer days.

So you can imagine my surprise when I spotted an incredibly similar version at Marks and Spencer, this time in a classic black and white colourway.