I Test-Drove Every Chic Minimalist's Holy-Grail Brand and Lost It Over These 16 Pieces

Welcome to Let's Get a Room, a series where editor Eliza Huber heads to the dressing room to try on pieces from your favorite retailers, buzzy items, and new collections. Think of this column as a detailed guide to the pieces that are actually worth buying and the ones that, unfortunately, looked better online—no returns necessary.

No matter how good the photos are, how detailed the descriptions are, or how visually appealing the website interface is, shopping online will never quite compare to the simple act of trying something on in person. Why do you think the pandemic led to so many outlandish purchases? No one could try anything on first, and everyone was too exhausted to return anything. Unfortunately, depending on where you're shopping from, you might not have the privilege of living near every store you're eyeing something from. That's where I come in.

Exhibit number one is Massimo Dutti, Zara's elevated older-sister brand that specializes in clothing, shoes, and accessories for people who want their clothes to do the work for them by making them look chic and minimal without any effort. Basically, the Spanish fashion brand designs dresses, outerwear, skirts, shoes, and accessories that look like the $800 to $3000 options on your aspirational wish list, but with a price range closer to $150 to $800. Ask any fashion editor and they'll tell you that it's one of their secret weapons for looking expensive without having to shell out on designer items.

Before November, if you wanted to visit a Massimo Dutti store, you'd have to travel across the border to Canada or hop on a flight to one of its many European venues across Paris, London, or its home country of Spain. Now, though, U.S. shoppers have been handed their first brick-and-mortar location in years with a permanent store in Aventura Mall in Miami.

Given my longtime affinity for the brand and the fact that it's always my first stop when I touch down in Europe, I had to see the space immediately. Fortunately, Massimo Dutti was kind enough to grant my wish, flying me to the Florida coast for three days to check out the store and try on the best new arrivals for fall and winter, including bags, shoes, dresses, and lots of suede.

Scroll down to see my entire try-on haul, which I hope will ease some of your online shopping related stress. Trust me, when it comes to Massimo Dutti, you'll be satisfied with what arrives on your doorstep.

I've been eyeing this burgundy crinkled-leather pencil skirt online for weeks, so when I found out that I'd be visiting Massimo Dutti's new store and trying on its contents, I crossed my fingers that it'd be hanging somewhere in the expansive space. Fortunately, it was, so I quickly grabbed it and a champagne-colored blouse to try on with it. I love the growing trend of cape or scarf details on blouses and tops, so this style was another must for me. I love the way these two pieces looked together—the softness of the top with the more rigged aspects of the pencil skirt. I styled them with pumps and an oversize leather bomber jacket, but the duo would look just as chic with knee-high boots and a long wrap coat. Both could also be worn separately—the top with high-rise jeans or tailored trousers and the skirt with a simple boat-neck tee or tank.

SHOP THE LOOK

I only came home to New York with one item from Massimo Dutti, and it was this dress. Made of the softest suede you could ever imagine, it's easily one of the most luxurious items in my fall and winter wardrobe. The dress has a beautiful shape to it, which I decided to accentuate with a black belt, but it was still just as gorgeous without one. Massimo Dutti recently had a runway show in Barcelona to show off its Limited Edition collection, which this dress was a part of.

I also threw on a pair of round-toe slingback pumps for good measure and loved them as well. I'm a longtime fan of Massimo Dutti's footwear and own three pairs already. They're shockingly comfortable and remind me aesthetically of pairs I own from The Row.

SHOP THE LOOK

This is what I like to call an easy, everyday outfit that will be worn at least once a week. It's all centered around this chocolate-brown suede blazer that I spotted immediately and knew I had to test out. The color is so rich and luxurious while still being casual. I paired it with a striped button-down shirt and some fantastic, super simple straight-leg, non-stretch jeans that felt very high quality. Lastly, I grabbed a top-handle shopper bag in brown that's definitely going on my holiday wishlist.

SHOP THE LOOK

The only material I love more than suede is velvet, so when I spotted this cream-colored velvet blazer on one of the racks, I knew I had to create an outfit out of it. Luckily, it was hung right next to this champagne-colored satin slip dress from Massimo Dutti's Studio collection, making my job of outfit ideating shockingly simple. I love how effortless a monochromatic outfit is and how rich it almost always looks, especially when you pick a color like this. I finished off the ensemble with the same round-toe slingbacks I mentioned before and loved the result. I'd wear this to work, brunch, or a day of shopping. The dress is also great for traveling as it folds up very tightly and won't wrinkle like silk.

SHOP THE LOOK

When I saw this brown suede jacket and pencil skirt duo on the first rack when I walked into the store, I was amazed. The suede is butter-soft and nowhere near as pricey as I expected it would be. This is the kind of jacket and skirt that you could own and style differently for decades because of the quality of the leather and the way the material can hold up over time. I styled it with a black ribbed camisole and pumps, but the mannequin had it on with two layered tees—one gray and one cream—that I'm equally interested in trying out.

SHOP THE LOOK

For me, there's nothing easier to throw on and feel confident and chic in than a suit, especially if you say screw it to layering and forego a top underneath. Throw on a pair of heels or boots and you're set—no effort required. Such is exactly what I did with this chocolate-brown wool-blend suit that's surprisingly lightweight and comfortable despite how tailored and structured it looks. I especially loved the low cut of the front—it only has one set of double-breasted buttons—making it a perfect pick for a night out. If you do want to wear it to work or during the day, just follow the model's lead by throwing on a loose-fitting button-down shirt.

SHOP THE LOOK

To coincide with the opening of Massimo Dutti's new Miami store, the brand released a special collection for the location, which was full of lightweight, flowy fabrics and silhouettes that are perfect for Miami's hot, humid weather. Though it's chilly in New York where I live, it was lovely to pretend I could wear something like this creased linen set in all white. It's so airy and made me excited for summer weather to return—even if it won't be for at least six months. The linen is great quality and the creased effect on it makes this set feel unique and different from traditional linen. For the bottoms, I'd recommend sizing up if you're tall and want to wear these loose around your waist like I did.

SHOP THE LOOK