I Spent 3 Hours in the World's Biggest Zara—Here's What Came Home With Me
There are few things in life as glorious as the Zara new-arrivals section, especially when it's on sale. The Spanish retailer is known for its trend-forward pieces (particularly those inspired by high-fashion runways) and a slew of elevated basics that almost always fit with anything in your closet.
When I headed to Madrid to spend the holidays with my family, there was only one thing I had in mind: heading to the world's biggest Zara, which recently opened next to the Plaza de España. Opened in late 2022, the shopping mecca boasts four floors of the best Zara has to offer, including dedicated sections for women, men, children, and cosmetics. The first week of the new year is one of the busiest times of year for retail sales, so naturally, I used the occasion to stock up on 2023 trends at incredible prices. If you know me, you know I can't resist a bargain.
Below are all of the eye-catching new arrivals I tried on, picked up, and took home with me—including the ones I had to buy a carry-on suitcase for.
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This puffer may give all the other jackets in my closet a run for their money.
This punchy jacket's color is predicted to dominate 2023, according to experts.
Tube tops in the winter? More likely than you'd think thanks to this ultra-chic pick.
This was so comfy in the dressing room I almost bought all three colors.
These cutouts are giving "Julia Fox opening the LaQuan Smith fashion show in 2022."
These mid-rise trousers fit perfectly on me as a plus-size fashion editor—a testament to how much I love them.
This half-moon silhouette instantly reminded me of The Row, so naturally, it was an instant buy.
It was love at first sight between these cowboy boots and me.
The sheer trend may be for the out-there dresser, but I'm all for it.
Next, Fashion People in London and Paris Will Wear These Trendy Basics Most in 2023
Ana Escalante is an award-winning journalist and Gen Z editor whose work ranges from dissecting size inclusivity at fashion week to discussing how American Girl Doll meme accounts are the the answer to society's collective spiral. She's covered it all: Queen Elizabeth II's corgis, Roe v. Wade frontline protests, and the emergence of jorts (or jean shorts for the uninitiated). At Who What Wear, Ana is responsible for delivering smart, insightful, personality-driven shopping guides and trend features for a digital-first generation.Before joining Who What Wear, Ana was Glamour magazine's editorial assistant, where she focused on daily news and special packages, including leading the brand's 2022 Met Gala coverage. For more than half a decade, she has covered style, beauty, and digital culture for publications such as Paper magazine, Harper's Bazaar, Vogue Japan, and Allure, among others. Ana has been called a rising star in media by publications such as Nylon and Teen Vogue. (Her mother, meanwhile, calls her "the coolest person" she knows.)
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