I’m on the mailing list for a ridiculous amount of – I’m not quite sure what to call them – catalogues sounds a bit too downmarket, maybe magalogues, as many of them combine mini features alongside tempting fashion, or possibly shopalogues, whatever, you know what I mean (see the picture above if you don’t).

Every week several drop through my letterbox, a mixture of brands I’ve bought from and love and brands I’ve never even heard of, tempting me to buy things from their pretty pages. Still more come bagged along with the weekend newspaper supplements and others are piled high to pick up in store.

Most get chucked in the recycling within 24 hours but some I keep, not only because they contain one (or more) pieces that I want to buy but also because they’re packed with images that are just as inspiring as those you’d find on the pages of glossy magazines. These are five of my favourites…

Anthropologie

Flipping through the Anthropologie catalogue makes me yearn to live an outdoorsy life. In this life I’d spend my days hiking and horseriding, before heading home to my huge rustic-luxe house to knock up a meal for ten, which I would serve on beautifully mismatched crockery, finally falling asleep in my enormous four-poster bed under layers of beautiful bedlinen. Then I remember I panic if I’m more than five minutes away from somewhere I can buy a decent cappuccino. Sigh.

Hush

Right now if you told me I had to buy my clothes from just one shop for the rest of my life I would probably pick Hush, that’s how much I love their laid-back luxe aesthetic. The casual-chic pieces and pared-back colour palette nail that haven’t-tried-too-hard comfortable-but-cool look that lets you just get on with your life. Every time I look through it I spot another item to add to my wish list.

J.Crew

I’ve only ever bought a few pieces from J.Crew but their cataglogue/magalogue/shopalogue/whatever is my favourite. It’s beautifully designed and shot, the styling is a masterclass in the smart casual mix but it’s the beauty that really inspires. The models always look effortlessly gorgeous from their artfully undone hair (this season it’s either tied in a messy low ponytail or causally tucked into a high-necked jumper) to their natural-but-definitely-there make-up and perfectly glowing skin. The skin is apparently down to Living Luminiser by organic beauty brand RMS make-up fans.

Sweaty Betty

I totally blame the catalogue/magalogue/shopalogue for the amount of Sweaty Betty stuff I’ve bought of late. The sporty but stylish outfits, shot on models who are actually athletes, yogis and dancers, make me think why yes, I do need that cute yellow tee, it’s just the thing to layer over the grey vest and under that hooded jacket, which clearly I need too. I also like discovering the inspiration behind the designs, and reading about the locations in the shoots (Morzine in the French Alps for the highly covetable ski collection and that’s from someone – me – who doesn’t even like skiing very much).

Topshop

Ever since I was old enough to make my own purchasing decisions I’ve shopped at Topshop. How much do I wish their magazine had been around when I was a teenager packed as it is with sassy features, interviews with inspiring women climbing to the top of the ladder in their respective careers, and too cool fashion and beauty shoots. Today’s teenagers might not have Sugar/Just 17/Bliss/ELLEgirl/CosmoGIRL! but Topshop’s got their fashion and beauty needs covered. It might not be aimed at me, but I still love it.

What are your favourite catalogues/magalogues/shopalogues/whatever? Do share below.