I Tried On 15 Items at Zara—This Is Hands Down the Best Buy

Welcome to The Fast-Fashion Sweep, where our editors will make the rounds at three of our favorite affordable stores and share the hero picks that look as good IRL as they do online. We’re kicking things off with everyone’s go-to fast-fashion store, Zara, but stay tuned for our download on the best picks from Mango and H&M, too.

What type of Zara shopper are you? The type who runs in with a list of items and is out the door in less than five minutes? Or, like the majority of us, the type who is hopelessly overwhelmed upon stepping through the door and ends up leaving with 50 items when all you came in for was a top for the weekend?

If you fall in the latter camp, then this one is for you, my friends. On a mission to find Zara’s best new-season pieces and alleviate some of the searching for you, I took a trip to my local Zara this week and tried on a plethora of chic pieces so you don’t have to. Today, I’m sharing some of my favorites in the hope it saves you the time and effort of looking around the store (or shopping online) for the hero pieces worth adding to your closet this season.

For me, there’s nothing like the thrill of finding a great affordable Zara buy that is chic and fashion-forward, fits well, and looks way more expensive than it actually is. Below, I’m sharing some of my latest finds that check all these boxes. Some are trendy, some are for daytime, some for night, others are perfect to take you into fall, but you may be surprised that my absolute best Zara buy is a simple basic. Scroll to the end to see what it is!

This is not your average shirtdress, but it is my new favorite frock. The maxi-length dress feels easy and effortless. Plus, who doesn't love pockets on a dress? It's soft, comfortable, and perfect for wearing to work and vacation alike. 

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If you're looking for a refreshingly modern top to wear with your jeans this summer and fall, then your search is over. One-shoulder tops are a huge trend this season, and this asymmetric beauty feels fresh, contemporary, and downright cool. The chic hammered gold button on the sleeve is a nice finishing touch.

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Looking for a day-to-night dress that will take you into fall with the simple addition of a cardigan and boots? This effortless floral frock is your answer. I'll be wearing it through summer with black strappy sandals.

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I've been looking for a short-sleeved sweater like this that I can wear to work and everywhere in between. This one feels super luxurious. It's made from a super-soft knit fabric and comes in several versatile colors.

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I'm not much a crop-top person, but I couldn't resist these pretty polka-dot, sheer balloon sleeves. If you want a party top that is guaranteed to garner compliments, this is it.

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This will undoubtedly be one of the hardest-working items in your closet. Give your black blazer an update for the season ahead. Wear to work, over jeans, with dresses… The list goes on.

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A black slip dress will last you a lifetime. Zara's latest iteration is stunning—featuring trending thin spaghetti straps in a luxurious-feeling, silky-satin fabric.

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I absolutely love this simple and comfortable outfit. The beige jeans are a refreshing change of pace from my black and blue denim. They are super comfortable and stretchy and have a flattering high-waisted fit. (They'd be a perfect option for traveling.) They look great when paired with this white knit top (the same I tried on earlier) and these effortless slide sandals—which are on sale right now. 

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Aside from a good steam, all this dress needs is some chic tan slides. I adore the sumptuous sage green—a big trend for fall. The cinched waist, button details, and fluttery sleeves make this dress super charming and flattering. 

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Just one look at this top puts me in the mood to party! You'll get a ton of use out of this once the holiday-and-party season starts. It's guaranteed to turn heads.

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Zara's bag game is really strong right now. The quilted trend is huge this fall—everything from quilted trousers to bags was seen all over the runways. This cozy bag nails the trend perfectly. (Bonus: It can double as a cozy pillow when you travel!)

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It may seem basic, but this is hands down the best Zara purchase I made. Not only are beige blazers everywhere on Instagram right now, but this one has a lovely, not-too-tight, not-too-loose fit; it looks way more expensive than its $119 price tag; it feels really comfortable; it's super versatile (throw over jeans and dresses alike); and it will take you into fall with ease.

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Up next: I tried on 21 dresses from Reformation, Topshop, and Zara, and these 10 made the cut.