I Just Tried On Tons of New-In Zara Pieces—These Were the 7 That Stood Out

Welcome to The Great Try-On. With spring well and truly in the air, we seized the opportunity to try on some of the best new-in pieces from some of your favourite brands, documenting the process along the way. We believe that the best way to shop online is to see an item IRL and to read candid reviews, so we hope that this leads you to your most successful purchases of the year.

Zara has been a high-street go-to for me for many, many years, especially when it comes to searching for those wardrobe essentials that transcend trends but come in at affordable prices. Great tailoring, beautiful dresses and cool footwear are just a few of the categories I’ve gone to Zara for in the past, and these pieces still serve me well now, years later.

Compared to other high-street retailers, Zara is definitely a brand I can rely on—whether I’m looking for something to update a simple look, such as a fun accessory, or something a little more understated and classic, like a blazer. Right now, I’m updating my capsule wardrobe ahead of spring, and you can probably guess where I was keen to head to first for a dose of inspiration. It’s been a while since I’ve thoroughly combed through all that Zara has to offer, so I was excited at the prospect of heading in-store to try on the new pieces that stood out to me, all as part of our Great Try-On series. And while I could include a myriad of pieces in this story, The Great Try-On is all about cutting through the noise and only delivering to you the best of the best. In light of this, expect a carefully curated edit of the Zara items that are actually a cut above the rest. 

So what caught my eye? I’ve recently been on the lookout for cool tailoring, everyday trousers and lightweight outerwear pieces that I’ll reach for throughout spring. Of course, there were inevitably some pieces I wasn’t blown away by, but no one walks into a store and loves everything they see, do they? Still, there were several pieces that impressed me and that I feel are well worth considering investing in. I’ve narrowed it down to the seven key Zara finds I’d add to my wardrobe in a flash. Check out my review of the chosen items below.

1. DENIM SHACKET

My Review: It goes without saying that denim is having its moment in all forms this season. I personally use different denim as the foundation for many outfits all year round. Besides denim jeans, I’m always drawn to denim shirts and shackets (shirt-jackets). I find that I can get good wear out of them throughout the year, whether I’m using them as a layer under a coat during the colder months or wearing them more like outerwear in the warmer months. 

This piece stuck out to me because of its very casual and relaxed fit, which I prefer. It’s not too sturdy but also not flimsy in the way it hangs on the body. The wash of the denim shacket definitely makes it easy to pair with a lot of other staples, and I can see myself wearing this over midi/maxi dresses and wide-leg trousers and even going full-on Canadian tux with denim jeans in a similar wash. I do also love the number of pockets on it… I’m big on pockets. 

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2. THREE-PIECE SUIT

My Review: As someone who loves tailored clothing items, I still don’t own a matching suit that I can rely on and throw on whenever for wherever occasion. I came across this gorgeous taupe-coloured set as soon as I entered the store and had to grab it to try on. As you can probably tell, the blazer isn’t an exact match to the waistcoat and trousers, but Zara does have a matching blazer. I just preferred the style and fit of this particular one and don’t think it looks bad paired with the other pieces! Once buttoned up, it has this cool asymmetric design which I think elevates the whole look.

I’m a little late to the party when it comes to waistcoats (they were a hot topic and microtrend last spring), but I have to admit that I do get the hype. I think this will be a key light-layering piece that will help add a point of interest to my casual spring outfits. 

I’ve especially been on the hunt for tailored high-waisted trousers with a wide leg, and this pair almost fit the bill perfectly. The only downside is that they were way too long for me, but that’s nothing a trip to the tailor can’t fix. I usually find that Zara’s trousers are on the longer side, so it wasn’t that much of a surprise. I’m 5’4”, but I do find that I often struggle to find trousers that truly fit me without having to get them altered! The material of all three pieces is definitely the icing on the cake, giving them a very premium feel to the touch. I would also say they are true to size, which is a rarity when it comes to Zara.

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3. CARGO TROUSERS

My Review: I’ve always loved utilitarian wear, and cargo trousers fit this bill perfectly. This style is also having a big moment as far as trends go, and I’m here for it. I quite like how understated and simple this straight-leg iteration is compared to a lot of cargo trousers I see on the high street, making them incredibly easy to wear every day. I barely own anything in navy but was drawn to this pair out of all the neutral colours the style comes in. In terms of what footwear to wear with them, I’d always go with a pair of cool trainers or sleek black boots. I went up two sizes with these trousers, and they just about fit. So that’s something to keep in mind. 

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4. CROPPED PUFFER JACKET

My Review: To update my wardrobe for spring, I’ve been on the lookout for a very stylish lightweight jacket that I can wear with pretty much anything. I’ve noticed Zara tends to do light quilted jackets very well… so well I managed to find two I couldn’t resist testing out for you.

First up is this khaki number. It’s short but not too cropped, and I felt that it fell at the perfect place on my body. I was impressed by the amount of extra detail on this jacket, too, boasting double pockets, drawstrings, and double fastenings with zips and buttons. One downside of this jacket is that it was a little too short for me on the sleeves. So if, like me, you have slightly longer-than-average arms, these may sit higher on the wrist for you. I’m someone who loves really long sleeves, so the arms felt quite awkward. It could have been made intentionally like that—who knows!

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5. QUILTED GREY-WASH JACKET

My Review: The second quilted-style jacket was definitely my favourite outerwear piece in the store. This is a piece I know I can get a lot of wear out of. It was surprisingly cosy and warm for something so light, making it perfect for those chilly days we often experience during spring. I can see myself wearing this with denim jeans, tailored trousers, and midi skirts—the whole lot. It even has adjustable ties so you’re able to play around with how it fits on the body, which is a great bonus in my eyes. 

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Up Next: Spring/Summer 2023 Fashion Trends: 21 Expert-Approved Looks You Need to See