New season = brand new Zara new-in section. Who’s excited? You all know that Zara is first on the Eliza high street shopping hit list, and when there’s pages and pages of newness, it can only mean one thing for us: a haul.
The change in weather has meant a change of shopping tack: we’re after jackets, transseasonal dresses and new workwear separates to update our looks, and Zara, with it’s focus on affordable price points and trend-led buys, should be your first port of call.
It’s the reason we’re offering one lucky winner a chance to bag a £1,000 Zara gift card! I know, we’re lovely, right? See it as the perfect way to kickstart your new season wardrobe. Check out our post below for details on how to enter.
In the meantime, you could see these picks here as the Eliza team’s fantasy shopping list if we were allowed to keep the prize all to ourselves, or as a helpful guide to what should be first on your own Zara shopping list for autumn, since we’ve already tried and tested them and given them our seal of approval.
So, these are the new-in Zara pieces our team picked, from leather jackets to party dresses:
The autumnal printed dress
Picked by: Joanna Bridger, editor
Being eight months pregnant, Zara has been off my fashion radar for a while now. Baby bumps and Zara denim sadly don’t mix. However, on a recent window-shopping trip I spied this 70s-inspired midi dress. On a whim I tried it on in a large and it fit.
It’s slightly oversized (everywhere except my waist), but the billowy sleeves actually lend itself to the boho style. And the wrists have elasticated trims which stops it looking too ill-fitting.
As autumn draws in, the dress will work brilliantly with high leg black boots, just to complete the 70s look. But it’ll work for a multitude of scenarios – add heels and you’ve got an occasion dress, or white trainers for the weekend. It’s the ultimate all-rounder midi.
And post-birth I expect it’ll still feature in my winter wardrobe. I’ll cinch the waist with a belt and the button up front fastening will be ideal for breastfeeding. Zara may well have cracked the perfect maternity dress – without even trying!
The faux leather trench coat
Picked by: Krissy Turner, fashion editor
I love a statement jacket. I tend to wear quite pared-back separates which means I’m in neutrals a lot of the time, so when the opportunity arises to make a statement that chimes with my aesthetic, I’m all over it. Case in point: this sleek black faux leather trench.
It’s the perfect cover-up for right now: it’s long, so allows me to stretch out my shorts and mini skirts that bit longer as it offers coverage, and in black, it adds an edge to the summer dresses and shirts I’m not ready to pack away. It gives my grey T-shirt, trainers and utility skirt combo a fashion-forward spin for the new season, too. Overall, it’s giving Keanu Reeves and I’m not mad at it at all.
The tailored wide leg trousers
Picked by: Lottie Franklin, fashion content creator
These high waisted trousers strike that perfect balance between smart and comfortable for transitional autumn workwear, thanks to the soft viscose fabric, flattering darts and slouchy fit on the leg.
Simply pair with your favourite white t-shirt or a smart tank top now, with lightweight layers over the top, and when it gets colder, switch for shirts, warmer knits and a longline winter coat. If relaxed tailoring is what you’re looking for, then these trousers are a great foundation and will bring together lots of autumn workwear outfits.
The cosy shacket
Picked by: Laren Tayyip, editorial assistant
You can never go wrong with a neutral shacket, so when I saw that Zara included the perfect one in its new collection, I had to have it.
It comes in three different colours: sky blue, camel and ecru. I opted for the camel colour as it goes with everything during the colder seasons. It’s also perfect for this time of year when it’s still too hot for coats but not quite warm enough to leave the house without some sort of jacket. I would style it with a sleeveless top or body suit for evening wear or a turtle neck jumper for during the day, loose trousers, either beige or black and with some chunky boots.
The party-ready maxi
Picked by: Lucy Robson, audience development lead
When I got an invite through for a ‘peacock-themed party’ last week, I knew it would have to take a really great coloured dress to sway me from my go-to all-black-every-day signature look.
Zara’s new-in section is packed with bright colour, so I knew I’d find something great and I wasn’t disappointed. This halter neck maxi is perfect: the classic shape and minimal cut ground the bright colour, making it instantly more wearable for me.
The silky material is a dream: it nicely skims the body, which means it’s just as good as a flattering party dress as it is a floaty evening dress on holiday. I’ll wear it with block-heeled mules for my party, then with strappy gold sandals and tons of jewellery on my hols.
The khaki blazer
Picked by: Rebecca Fearn, beauty editor
Ever since borrowing fashion editor Krissy’s olive Zara blazer for a trip to Amsterdam in July, I’ve been waiting for a similar style to hit the shelves at the retailer. And finally, this beautiful jacket appeared much to my delight.
Of course, I snapped it up immediately, and have already worn it with everything from my favourite floral skirt (vintage, from my mum) to a simple pair of straight-leg jeans. That’s where the blazer’s genius lies – in its versatility. The colour goes with everything while the cut and fit are a dream (opt for your usual size). In short, a perfect buy for the Autumn season.
The silky blouse
Picked by: Tivina Elliott-James, picture editor
My personal style doesn’t lean into the changing fashion trends too much, and a classic silky shirt has been on my list of things I need to add to my capsule wardrobe for a while now.
When I tried this on, I knew it was a winner. It has an open neckline with no buttons, which means the collar stays neat and flat and compliments my dainty necklace beautifully. This shirt has a great loose fit and a dipped hem back so suits my go-to styling trick of tucking into jeans at the front (a chic French tuck, since you’re asking). Or you could size up to wear over leggings and this season’s must-have Gianvito Rossi style chunky boots flat boots and an oversized trench for an elevated walk-in-the-park-with-basic-pumpkin-spiced-latte-Autumn vibe.