I Tried Zara's Most Expensive-Looking Spring Items and These 9 Are Game Changers

Welcome to The Great Try-On. With spring officially in full swing, it's time to ready your wardrobe, and we're here to provide a little shopping inspiration. We got to try on some of the best spring pieces from some of your favorite brands and documented it all from our at-home dressing rooms so that you can see how they actually look IRL. We hope that our photos and candid reviews will help you shop for spring wardrobe builders that you'll wear over and over this season and beyond.

If you live near a Zara store, consider yourself lucky. The closest brick-and-mortar location to where I live (Raleigh, North Carolina) is hours away. On the plus side, I'm not a fan of trying things on in dressing rooms. I'd much rather do that in the comfort of my own home. Speaking of, I've been dying to try some pieces from Zara's spring collection after seeing how luxe they look, so I did. Below are my reviews and IRL photos of seven trend-forward and expensive-looking items (or sets) as well as two pairs of shoes that I doubt will stay in stock for long. Get my candid thoughts, and shop them all below.

Zara Fitted Blazer and Mini Skirt With Pockets

My review: This skirt suit hits on many trends (cobalt, miniskirts, suiting) but not in a way that makes it look like you're trying too hard. The fabric doesn't wrinkle, which is a big plus for me, and the pieces seem very well-made. The fit was true to size, and I liked that the skirt was short but not too short (for reference, I'm 5'4").

Shop the Fitted Blazer and Mini Skirt With Pockets:

Zara Printed Puffer Jacket

My review: This patchwork jacket was right up my alley. (I tend to wear mostly simple pieces and have more fun with my outerwear, shoes, and accessories.) It's lightweight but still cozy, so it's perfect for spring weather or a breezy summer night. I would definitely buy this if I were doing a Zara haul.

Shop the Zara Printed Puffer Jacket:

Zara Oversized Knit Vest and Zippered Knit Skirt

My review: I was clearly feeling colorful when I selected which items to try on. Orange is the color of the season, so I was instantly drawn to this set. The fabric is a nice thick knit, and it's super comfortable. I think it would look great with anything from sneakers to loafers to heels. Plus, you can mix and match the pieces, which always adds more value.

Shop the Oversized Knit Vest and Zippered Knit Skirt:

Zara Gold Button Cargo Pants

My review: In case you haven't heard, cargo pants are very much a thing again, and Zara has several cool pairs to choose from. I went with this one because it felt a bit safe (in a good way—not too low and not too pocket-y). The gold buttons also make them feel more elevated than your average cargo pants. At just $60, these are undoubtedly worth it.

Shop the Gold Button Cargo Pants:

Zara Tied Mini Dress

My review: Short dresses and skirts with platforms is the look of the season, and I'm on board. This dress had a bit of a '60s feel to it, and the tied collar makes it look like you're wearing a matching neck scarf, which I enjoyed. The material is a bit thick, so it would make a great spring dress as opposed to summer. But I'd wear it in the fall too.

Shop the Tied Mini Dress:

Zara Striped Knit Top and Knit Skirt

My review: All of my fellow editors are obsessed with this set, so I had to do my due diligence and try it, obviously. It's not the most "me" thing that I tried (I'm not big on maxi skirts; although, they're a trend this season), but I could see myself wearing it on vacation. I also really like how it looked with the chunky fisherman sandals. The skirt can be worn low-rise as well to make it even more relevant for the season, but I'm not brave enough for that.

Shop the Striped Knit Top and Knit Skirt:

Zara Bustier Midi Dress

My review: I have to say that my favorite feature of this dress was the pockets. I love a dress with pockets. I also liked how pretty and flattering the neckline was. This is a dress that could easily be dressed up for a wedding or other special occasion, and the color is especially trendy this season. This shade of pink looks good on everyone.

Shop the Bustier Midi Dress:

Zara Leather Fisherman Sandals and Heeled Platform Shoes

My review: I'm obsessed with shoes, so I couldn't do a Zara haul try-on without a couple of pairs. These fisherman sandals are pricier than most Zara shoes, but I can honestly say that they're worth it. They're extremely comfortable, and the quality was as good as a pair that cost $200 more.

My review: I should preface by saying that I was not initially on board with the ultra-high platform trend, but these shoes changed my mind. I wouldn't attempt to walk for miles or stand for hours in them, but they look so cool with mini-length pieces. And they were more comfortable and walkable than I thought they would be. Plus, they clearly look like they cost more than $119. Fingers crossed that they'll restock sizes soon.

Shop the Leather Fisherman Sandals:

Shop the Heeled Platform Shoes:

Next up, check out the elevated basics our market director, Bobby, tried from Alex Mill.