If there's one thing you should know about me, I'm a bit of a pro-Zara shopper. In my years as an editor (all 13 of them), Zara has always been a place I can turn to for affordable, current-feeling pieces that help my wardrobe adapt to a new season or set of trends. However, that doesn't mean that I shop there blindly. Actually, I probably scrutinise my Zara purchases more than any others I make—even designer ones. In truth, this is because I know that some of the pieces the brand creates can feel a little cheap, either in their design or their construction. Of course, these aren't pieces I'd ever recommend, but you can find some absolute gems from the high-street retailer—you simply need to know what to look for. And I certainly do.
I have a developed bit of a knack for being able to find the most expensive-looking, well-made pieces on the Zara site: An intuition that only comes from first-hand experience coupled with how seriously I take my job. Between locating ZW Collection pieces—the brand's more directional collection which features more premium fabrications and designer-adjacent pieces—to knowing the categories the brand does best, I'm able to pinpoint Zara's next hero items and bestsellers at a glance.
So, now that we find ourselves on the cusp of a new season, I thought it was high time I took proper stock of Zara's pre-autumn collection and identified the best shopping picks for you. In my opinion, Zara collections peak in chicness when autumn hits, and this theory is being proven right for autumn 2024.
With a slew of sleek knitwear, elevated tailoring and refined dresses and skirts, for pre-autumn, Zara is continuing to embrace elegance in a big way. In terms of colours, there is a lot of green—an offshoot from brat summer—but done so in a way that feels more everlasting than the neon shades we've seen so much of. There's also a honed focus on details—a well-chosen gold button here and a tie-neck added to a blouse there, and the entire pre-autumn collection suddenly feels much more considered than perhaps the summer edit did.
So, which Zara pre-autumn shopping do I have on my wish list? I am glad you asked! Below are the 11 items currently sitting in my basket, followed by some additional pieces that I also think are worth seeing. Scroll on to get your next-season Zara fill.
SHOP MY ZARA PRE-AUTUMN EDIT
This will elevate anything you pair with it, even leggings.
The perfect transseasonal jacket.
These are circling in our Slack group—all of my colleagues want a pair.
You heard it here first—double-layer skirts are going to be huge this autumn.
The cutest cardigan I've seen this season. It also comes in cream.
The capri pant trend is still going strong for autumn, progressing into denim.
Turns out, peplums can look incredibly chic.
A flat I know I'll get so much wear of.
This looks so high end.
Speaking of satin, how perfect is this sky-blue dress?
Zara always delivers when it comes to statement earrings—this will be the next sell-out pair.
MORE CHIC ZARA PRE-AUTUMN SHOPPING
I can't resist a striped shirt, especially when it comes in a colour I don't already own.
A leather skirt is considered an autumn staple—I like this patent iteration.
Zara's leather is going to be off-the-charts this autumn.
Cashmere is always a good idea.
I saw this bag in store and it genuinely looked designer.
Brown satin is one of the most luxurious-looking fabrics out there.
This will work just as well with a T-shirt or long-sleeve jersey top underneath.
So cute—just add sheer tights and mary janes when temperatures dip.
A chic addition to any top collection.
Pair this with the burgundy heels in my edit.
A set you can wear in so many ways.
Bouclé textures always look so elegant.
This bag makes me think of Loewe.
I am obsessed with this neckline.
And this one!
