I Went to Zara, and These 10 Fall Pieces Really Stood Out

As much as I love shopping online, there's nothing like going into a store IRL to try, touch, and see the clothes for myself. Zara happens to be one of my favorite brands to shop for trend-forward yet affordable pieces, and while I'm not a fan of standing in line at Zara, I am a fan of seeing and trying the brand's of-the-moment pieces in person. After all, I know that what looks good on a model online doesn't always translate when I try it on myself.

Fortunately, I live less than a mile from a Zara store, so on a quiet morning (if there's such a thing as quiet at Zara), I headed into the store to check out the new-season pieces for myself. Below, I'm sharing the 10 items that caught my eye and are worth standing in line for, from leather coats to miniskirts. 

1. The Cute Fall Knit

During fall and winter, aside from my everyday basic sweaters, I like to have a small arsenal of "special" knits on hand—tops with elevated details that give them a certain wow factor. As you can see, I certainly found what I was looking for in this Zara top! It's an easy-to-wear neutral, but the faux-fur collar really takes it to the next level. It's perfect when you want to put together a chic no-think outfit. All you need to do is throw it on with your jeans and boots and you're done.

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2. The Velvet Miniskirt

I'm really into miniskirts this season (I also really love maxi skirts—there's plenty of love to go around here!), but it's this plush velvet miniskirt that caught my attention at Zara. It's perfect for the cold-weather season and will look gorgeous styled with sheer black tights, knee-high boots, and a turtleneck sweater. Moreover, it's fantastic for party season. I can't wait to wear this one.

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3. The Not-So-Boring Basic Turtleneck

Zara excels when it comes to basic knits, and while I own my fair share of neutral knits, this beautiful and bold sky-blue turtleneck really stood out. This would make for a great layering piece under a V-neck sweater, a beige blazer, or a camel coat, and obviously, it looks chic worn alone too. It's also very soft and comfortable. I'm obsessed.

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4. The Plush Leather Moto Jacket

I've been searching for a fall jacket that's casual, cozy, and cool, and I had a hunch I'd find the perfect one at Zara. This faux fur lined leather moto jacket is altogether on-trend and honestly looks like it could have come straight off the fall/winter 2022 runways. It's crazy cozy, and it's the ideal slightly oversize fit. I also love the fact that you can wear it as a funnel neck—a silhouette that's having a major moment this season.

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5. The Silky Slip Dress

Long, silky slip dresses are super popular this season, and there are so many chic ways to style and layer them in the colder months. Zara has its fair share of sleek options, but I'm particularly enamored with this luxe-looking sage and the way the dress drapes so beautifully. The cherry on top? Its subtle rhinestone-embellished strap.

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6. The Fuzzy Cropped Top

If you haven't already noticed, I'm a sucker for plush and cozy textures, which is why I'm over the moon that fuzzy, brushed knits, a style we saw all over the runways, are trending hard this season. I'll admit I don't wear too many very short cropped tops, but this one is too darn cute not to try. Moreover, the sumptuous dark brown looks luxe.

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7. The Camel Coat

Is it even fall without a chic camel coat? This open-front topper may not shield you from the elements in freezing conditions, but it is absolutely perfect for autumnal temps and will look chic layered over a sweater, button-down, or blazer.

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8. The Classic Vest

I can't believe I still haven't purchased a classic black vest yet, so I had my eyes peeled when perusing the racks at Zara. I found this looser straight silhouette that is perfect for layering over sweaters and will make every outfit look more polished. I recommend sizing down.

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9. The Trendy Cargo Pants

I'll be honest. I never thought I'd wear cargo pants again, but when I saw this black straight-leg pair, I was sold. They're perfect if you're looking for a subtler take on the trend that you could even wear to work.

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10. The Basic Comfy Sweater

Damn, this sweater is soft… and cozy and comfy and basically everything you could possibly want in a basic sweater. All I can say is you won't regret this versatile purchase.

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Next, 37 Cool Under-$50 Zara Finds I'm Obsessing Over Right Now