I Went Hard at Zara Last Week—11 Items I'm Keeping and 6 I'm Returning

I have a love-hate relationship with Zara. What I love are the clothes and the prices of the clothes. Duh, that's a given. What I hate is how I end up buying nearly every damn cute and affordable item the brand makes. (Tell me something more relatable?)

I usually do a big Zara haul at the start of each season to upgrade my wardrobe with on-trend items and then sporadically buy individual pieces in between. Last week, my major summer Zara shopping spree occurred (from the comfort of my own couch no less), and since I purchased everything online without ever seeing the pieces IRL, I knew that I'd end up returning at least a few things. Of my 22 new summer Zara finds, here is what I'm keeping and what I'm returning, along with a full review of each item from my shopping shenanigans. Enjoy!

KEEPING: BLACK SATIN TOP

RETURNING: WIDE-LEG DENIM

I love this top so much that I also bought it in white. It's a little difficult to see in this photo, but there's a ruched detail on the sides that feels so chic. The jeans, however, didn't work for me. There's just a bit too baggy, and I honestly didn't want to deal with getting them tailored.

KEEPING: LIME KNIT TOP

I bought this for the happy lime color, but I kept it for the quality ribbed fabric.

KEEPING: MINT BUTTON-DOWN

KEEPING: TWISTED MIDI SKIRT

Regardless of the fact that I won't be going back to the office anytime soon, I'm still stocking up on button-down shirts. I love the way this one looks knotted at the front, but I'll also throw it over a bikini as a cover-up. I'm equally as into this twisted-front skirt. I have a feeling I'll be wearing this one a lot this summer.

RETURNING: PINK CROP TOP

I like the idea of this top in theory; however, the length on me felt a bit awkward. It was too long to be considered a crop top and too short to tuck into trousers or jeans. Alas, I decided to return this one.

However, I would like to acknowledge that the back detail is very cute. Tall friends should try this one out!

KEEPING: RIBBED-KNIT MIDI DRESS

This easy basic was an immediate favorite. I love this periwinkle shade but will probably end up buying the dress in one of the other four colors, too. This will be my go-to for those days when I go straight from the beach to an outdoor dinner.

KEEPING: FLORAL-PRINTED DRESS

This is the perfect weekend dress. I'll be wearing it to brunches, bridal showers, and so much more.

KEEPING: LINEN MIDI DRESS

I love wearing linen dresses in the summertime, and this one just shot straight up to the top of my list. I have no idea where I'll wear it since it's not quite casual enough for every day, but I'm excited for it to make its debut, ideally styled with a pair of colorful strappy sandals.

Not yet convinced? I took a shot of the gorgeous strappy back just in case.

RETURNING: BLACK MAXI DRESS

This dress landed in the return pile because it lacked any shape, and I was drowning in the fabric a bit too much. The size pictured here is an XS for reference.

RETURNING: WHITE COLLARED TOP

RETURNING: SLITTED JEANS

I'm sorry, but I couldn't figure out how to tie this top, so I simply had no choice but to say goodbye. The jeans sadly also didn't work out due to my height yet again. I'm still on the hunt for a pair of slit jeans meant for us short girls (I'm just under 5'4''.)

KEEPING: CROPPED T-SHIRT

This white crop top worked out much better. It's a cotton material but much more interesting than your average tee thanks to those fun side ties.

KEEPING: CROCHETED DRESS

Hello, my new favorite vacation dress. Now all I need to do is plan one. Please note: I will be getting the straps shorted slightly to avoid my current side boob situation.

KEEPING: FLORAL MINIDRESS

I'm a big fan of dresses with scrunched fabric like this (see blue dress above), so yes I did choose to keep another one. Not to quote The Devil Wears Prada, but, "They're just so different."

KEEPING: STRIPED KNIT SHORTS

RETURNING: ORANGE BRA TOP

This top was a bit more of a sports bra look than I anticipated. I didn't feel like I needed it, so out it goes. The shorts, however, I Needed with a capital N. They're even cuter in real life, if you can imagine.

Up next, the only denim outfits that matter for summer.