How to shop Zara like French women is something we ask more often than you might imagine. Why? Well, the French are notoriously a little bit more discerning when it comes to the high street, but, of the chic Parisian women we know, they are all still partial to un petit peu of Zara. Ergo, if they deem it of a quality good enough for their concise capsule wardrobes, then there must be a very French way to sift the wheat from chaff and zone in on the most sophisticated things our favourite shop has to over—without getting distracted by impulsive buy-buy-buy urges on the way.
Parisian women always look for items with longevity and seek out classics, so we grilled our favourite French blogger, Aria Di Bari, because she not only specialises in uncovering the most deluxe pieces on the high street, but she's a Zara advocate on her site—often cherry-picking the must-haves before they've become so.
Read on to get her top tips for how to shop at Zara like a French girl, and you can pick up a few of our key buys, too.
1. Always Trust The Shoes
"The one thing I always buy from Zara is shoes. Zara shoes are always the prettiest! I mostly buy leather boots and heels, and sometimes I borrow sandals from my mum."
Our top Zara pick:
A pair we'd also borrow from our mum.
2. Wear In Your Shoes At Home
"The only thing I don't like about their shoes is that they can be really uncomfortable when they are brand-new. The leather is usually quite stiff despite the good quality of it, so I usually break in the shoes at home before I wear them outside."
Our top Zara pick:
Fisherman sandals just got a fresh new look.
3. Be open to eye-catching styles
"There are things I wouldn't order online and would rather try on in-store. But when I go to my local Zara, I'm there to buy anything that really catches my eye."
Our top Zara pick:
Truly timeless.
4. Blazers Are Always a Safe Bet
"As well as shoes, I would always buy the blazers as they are very well tailored."
Our top Zara pick:
5. Choose Zara Woman, Not TRF
"I would recommend to buy at Zara Woman and not Trafaluc. It's a little bit more expensive, but the fabric is usually nicer and the clothes are well-fitted and last longer in my opinion."
Our top Zara pick:
Treat yourself to this chic 100% linen skirt.
6. Shop Online For Specific Pieces
"When I shop online, I usually want to buy a very specific piece. It's usually one of these on-trend items that would fit my style or a basic I don't have yet (like blazer or a pair of tailored trousers, for example). Sometimes, it's just a piece I saw a friend or another blogger wearing that I would want to try myself!"
Our top Zara pick:
Give the striped trouser trend longevity by opting for a tailored version.
7. Focus On In-Store Mannequins
"When I shop, I'm usually very picky about the fabric first, but I studied fashion so it's easier for me to spot clothes made of quality material. I also look at the mannequins, as Zara usually puts all of its nicest clothes on them."
Our top Zara pick:
This set is perfection.
8. Get To Know The Sizing
"I've never sent anything I bought online back; I know how the sizing works at Zara and I've never had bad surprises so far—so keep trying items on to work it out if you haven't already."
Our top Zara pick:
Square necklines always look expensive.
9. Look Out For Intricate Fabric Detailing
"I do own one piece from Zara from a long time ago that I just can't get rid of: a beautiful black waistcoat with silver embroidery and beads that I bought at least eight years ago. At the moment, they have some great embroidered and printed pieces."
Our top Zara pick:
Take a moment to appreciate the intricate details.
10. Use Belts When Styling
"Sometimes I will belt a dress or a long blazer to mark my waist, but this just depends on my mood or the design itself."
Our top Zara pick:
This dress is extra special with a belt.
11. Opt For Trousers Over Jeans
"I think the jeans don't fit very well and the denim gets really lose after a few hours of wearing them—but the trousers are usually well fitted. Also, I won't buy their linen T-shirts anymore [because] they don't last very long."
Our top Zara pick:
The cut of these looks so expensive.
12. Choose Pieces That Fit Well And Make You Feel Good
"I usually don't tailor anything I buy from Zara. If I have to tailor anything, it usually means that it doesn't fit to my body shape and so I don't buy it."
Our top Zara pick:
You'll rely on this denim dress for years.
Up next, I Lived in Paris For Years—This Is the Dress French Women Always Wear