Welcome to The Great Try-On. With fall on the horizon, we seized the opportunity to try on some of the best fall pieces from some of your favorite brands, documenting the process along the way. We believe that the most foolproof way to shop online is to see an item IRL and to read candid reviews, so we hope that this leads you to some successful fall purchases.
I am a Zara fan through and through. Yes, I am a fashion editor, and stalking Zara's site is technically a part of my job, but do I also browse Zara in my free time? Yes, of course I do. Beyond the approachable price point, which typically results in an obnoxiously full online shopping cart at any given time, Zara always manages to have exactly what I am looking for. Whether it's the latest grouping of trends, inspiring styling techniques, or quality basics, Zara has proven time and again to be my go-to for almost everything. That being said, you know I was ecstatic at the chance to be a part of The Great Try-On so I could test out some of the new fall Zara products before I decided on what I wanted to add to my wardrobe for the season ahead.
For context, I tried on more than the 10 items I ended up reviewing below, so what you're about to read through (and hopefully shop) were the items that I ended up favoring the most. I tried to choose pieces that I had been seeing everywhere on the internet, like those hot-pink high-rise jeans and the matching poplin top and Zara's newest It blazer, but naturally, I threw in some timeless basics as well, like my new favorite LBD and trousers I plan on wearing at least three times a week. Along with all my mirror selfies and my honest reviews of each piece, get ready to see the 10 fall items Zara so generously let me try before I buy.
My review: One of my favorite fall 2021 trends is, hands down, highly saturated shades. So when I saw this bold pink look, I had to try it for myself. The poplin shirt is so breezy and roomy, and so far, it has made for the perfect shirt to throw on for a quick Zoom meeting. The jeans have an incredible fit, cinching in at the waist and flaring out just enough at the bottom. If a full hot-pink look isn't your vibe, I promise these items look just as good when worn individually.
My review: I loved this vest-and-trouser set so much I even wore it to New York Fashion Week. When I tell you almost all of my friends messaged me after seeing my pictures in it saying they were going to buy it, I am not playing. It's one of those classic sets that looks basic at first but pulls in tons of compliments. The vest is just the right amount of cropped, and the trousers are super comfortable. They are a linen blend (as proven by my embarrassing wrinkles), so just be careful if you plan on sitting for long periods of time.
My review: This blazer is everything. My colleague Nicole actually pointed it out to me, and I instantly fell in love. It's hard to find a blazer that is perfectly oversize, and this Zara one is exactly that. If you've been in the market for a blazer you can wear with legitimately anything, look no further.
My review: I am typically not a fan of body-con dresses in my personal life, but this minidress had me feeling some type of way. Oddly, the material is a sort of stretchy denim, but as you can see in the photos, it doesn't read that way at all. The neckline is so striking and flattering, and just like with any LBD, this piece can be dressed up or down with ease. While I styled it here in a more elevated way, I would also wear this with Converse and a big blazer.
My review: If you know me, you know I die for crazy-printed pants, so these are pretty much my dream come true. Zara also sent me the checkered pair, which fits exactly the same as these, but in the end, these swirly jeans won my heart.
My review: Oh, let's not forget about the Zara shoes I styled them with. These lace-up sandals come in multiple colors, but I was really drawn to this burnt-orange hue. I love the color story they create here with the pants, but I could just as easily pair them with a neutral dress or regular jeans.
My review: This blouse is just sheer enough to feel forward yet still approachable. The easy way to style this would be to pair it with black jeans, but I wanted to have a little fun, so the red jeans it was. The subtle ruching up the front is very on-trend, as is the bold retro print, making this top a definite winner.
My review: This dress was a bold choice, and truthfully, it was my least favorite of the bunch. Clearly, you can't wear any underwear with this dress, which made me a tad uncomfy. However, if that's something you're down with, then this dress is obviously very exciting. It's a lovely ribbed knit and fits well. I can guarantee it will be a showstopper no matter where you wear it.
Next up, I Got to Try On Whatever I Wanted From Reformation—These 7 Pieces Won Me Over
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