How a Celebrity Stylist Spends $200 at Zara

When she’s not working with big names like Lupita Nyong’o, Jennifer Hudson, and Hilary Swank, celebrity stylist Micaela Erlanger also divulges her fashion expertise in our Ask a Stylist column. Erlanger is also the official Armi Captain at the luxury rental and styling platform Armarium. From the best places to source vintage to the secret to finding your most flattering jeans, come back each week for a professional’s perspective.

As a big part of my job, I am always asked for recommendations on what to purchase at different stores and how to get the best value. Recently I’ve been asked about my opinions on fast-fashion retailers and the best items to buy.

Since many friends and clients consult me on what they should buy at fast-fashion retailers and how they can get the most value out of their purchases, I’ve decided to focus on Zara and how I would spend $200 at everyone’s favorite mall store. When shopping in-store or online at Zara, it can be overwhelming due to the abundance of options present in store and online. Personally, I find that some of the best pieces to buy at Zara are blazers, easy dresses, and statement blouses. Zara tends to have a lot of good items when it comes to those categories that can be perfect for the office or the weekend. I find that buying these pieces at Zara gives the best return on investment and helps to curate a refined wardrobe.

However, there are a few things I would avoid as a stylist when it comes to shopping at Zara. One thing that’s important to look out for when it comes to the retailer is anything that looks like an obvious knockoff. Avoiding these pieces and sticking to simple wardrobe essentials is sure to help you spend your money well while shopping at Zara. Scroll down to shop the piece I would buy from Zara.