Wow—32 Zara Items That Look Designer Without the Price Tag

affordable-zara-clothing-305801-1677540970744-main

(Image credit: Zara; PICTURED: Slim Poplin Blue Shirt ($50))

I don't know about you, but my shopping price point is nowhere near the ready-to-wear range. As a fashion editor, I dream about burying myself in Bottega Veneta coats and Khaite tops. But when it comes to actually buying the brands I love, my dollar only stretches so far. Instead, I often look to snag items from luxury fashion houses via their lower-priced offerings, like small leather goods and accessories. Sometimes, however, I find myself salivating for a runway-ready look straight from the rack. Surprisingly, that's where Zara comes in. 

The Spanish retailer has a bevy of trend-forward styles reflecting what major design houses are putting out every season, often in more wearable styles with much less expensive price tags. While the feel of the fabrics may not be exactly the same, Zara's affordable price point means it's much easier to curate a thoughtful aesthetic based on your style. Naturally, the most conscious thing to do is to be mindful of your spending habits, so it's essential that you use each piece of clothing you buy as often as possible, whether it be from Zara or another affordable retailer. But given how elevated and timeless these picks feel, that shouldn't be a problem. Besides, who doesn't want to look like the epitome of luxury?

Ahead are 32 items from Zara I instantly bookmarked because they look expensive but keep my wallet happy. Honestly, I'm shocked they're not sold out yet. Shop them all below. 

Next, 30 Cool Items From Shopbop, Reformation, and Mango I'd Like to Wear on Vacation

Assistant Shopping Editor
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 uninitated). 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.)