I Just Popped Into Zara—These 5 Fall Trends Caught My Eye Immediately

Our We Try Before You Buy series aims to take the stress out of shopping and eliminate the number of post office visits you make each month to return failed online orders. We test new-season buys and styling ideas so you don't have to. Here, we're letting you know what is actually worth investing in.

For the latest installment, I headed to the mall for a fashionable Supermarket Sweep at Zara, where I tried on as many new fall pieces as possible without being late for work. And I wasn't disappointed, as there are so many new season trends on the racks already.

As soon as I walked in, I saw sequins everywhere: twinkling lace, slip dresses, bold two-pieces, and the most amazing green frock you can imagine. As I walked around the store, it was clear that Zara got the Valentino pink memo—it's all about color-block pieces, including luxe suits, dresses, and a pop of color in the form of shoes.

As with any of these editor-tested shopping stories, this mission sent me straight to the checkout counter. Honestly, this franchise really should be renamed "We Try Before We Buy." Keep scrolling to see and shop the six fall trends I tried on in-store that you can shop online already. Note: Apologies to your credit card in advance.

1. HOT PINK

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Pink Satin Blazer and Trousers
(Image credit: @harriet.davey)

I'm not usually that into pink, but this year, I've been well and truly swayed. The Valentino F/W 22 show won me over, and I'm ready to embrace the punchy shade in all its glory. This satin suit feels so premium with its covered buttons and sleek tie detail. I would wear it on a night out with a beaded bag and strappy, matchy-matchy heeled sandals.

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2. SEQUINS

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Sequin Embellished Dress
(Image credit: @harriet.davey)

Zara is reminding us all that sequins aren't just reserved for party season. The new limited-edition drop has so many gorgeous sequin-adorned pieces—like this dress, for example. The floaty sleeves with split cuffs make it feel so expensive, and I love how the tie-front makes it feel a bit '70s-inspired. 

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3. PUFFY DRESSES

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Puffy Midi Dress
(Image credit: @harriet.davey)

A midi dress will never let you down no matter the season. This puff-sleeved, tiered style is backless, so it's 360-degree perfection. For summer, I would wear it with chunky sandals. For fall, this dress would look so gorgeous with a pair of glossy, knee-high boots and an oversize wool blazer. 

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4. ALL BLACK

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Black Slip Dress and Feather Heels
(Image credit: @harriet.davey)

When in doubt, stick to black. I'm all for relying on an LBD or MBD (that's midi black dress), for most occasions. This slinky slip dress could also be styled as a skirt during the day simply by adding a chunky knit over the top. And don't get me started on these feathery shoes. How amazing are they?! Of course, these are cab-only shoes to keep the feathers in tact with this unpredictable summer-to-fall weather. 

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5. STRIPED KNITS

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Striped Knit Dress
(Image credit: @harriet.davey)

Striped sweaters were a thing last year, but this year, stripes are taking over in all forms. A knit dress, top, or sweater is an easy way to tick off the trend. I would wear this knit dress with a shirt over the top and sneakers or ankle boots. 

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Next Up: 14 Outfits We're Bookmarking for Cooler Summer Days

This post originally appeared on Who What Wear UK.

Freelance Fashion Editor

Harriet Davey is a freelance fashion editor who has been part of Who What Wear's extended team since 2017. She previously worked in print at Look magazine and has since worked across print, digital and social for many other titles, including British Vogue, Stylist, Grazia, Refinery29 and Marie Claire. Also a stylist, Harriet has had the pleasure of producing cover shoots and editorials along with commercial shoots for brands including Boux Avenue, Watches of Switzerland, Benefit Cosmetics and Revolution. To add to this, Harriet also works in live TV styling for ITV’s This Morning. Back to Who What Wear. With hundreds of published stories on site, Harriet knows what the WWW reader wants. Keeping up to date with the latest It buys and runway trends, she can guarantee to keep you one step ahead of the most stylish people. When not writing or styling, Harriet loves to go shopping (yes, more fashion). If she’s not in a local Hackney bar or restaurant, you can find her forever searching for her next holiday destination.