I Went Hard at Zara Last Week—11 Items I'm Keeping and 6 I'm Returning

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I have a love-hate relationship with Zara. What I love are the clothes and the prices of the clothes. Duh, that's a given. What I hate is how I end up buying nearly every damn cute and affordable item the brand makes. (Tell me something more relatable?)

I usually do a big Zara haul at the start of each season to upgrade my wardrobe with on-trend items and then sporadically buy individual pieces in between. Last week, my major summer Zara shopping spree occurred (from the comfort of my own couch no less), and since I purchased everything online without ever seeing the pieces IRL, I knew that I'd end up returning at least a few things. Of my 22 new summer Zara finds, here is what I'm keeping and what I'm returning, along with a full review of each item from my shopping shenanigans. Enjoy!

KEEPING: BLACK SATIN TOP

RETURNING: WIDE-LEG DENIM

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(Image credit: @michaela_bee)

I love this top so much that I also bought it in white. It's a little difficult to see in this photo, but there's a ruched detail on the sides that feels so chic. The jeans, however, didn't work for me. There's just a bit too baggy, and I honestly didn't want to deal with getting them tailored.

KEEPING: LIME KNIT TOP

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(Image credit: @michaela_bee)

I bought this for the happy lime color, but I kept it for the quality ribbed fabric.

KEEPING: MINT BUTTON-DOWN

KEEPING: TWISTED MIDI SKIRT

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(Image credit: @michaela_bee)

Regardless of the fact that I won't be going back to the office anytime soon, I'm still stocking up on button-down shirts. I love the way this one looks knotted at the front, but I'll also throw it over a bikini as a cover-up. I'm equally as into this twisted-front skirt. I have a feeling I'll be wearing this one a lot this summer.

RETURNING: PINK CROP TOP

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(Image credit: @michaela_bee)

I like the idea of this top in theory; however, the length on me felt a bit awkward. It was too long to be considered a crop top and too short to tuck into trousers or jeans. Alas, I decided to return this one.

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(Image credit: @michaela_bee)

However, I would like to acknowledge that the back detail is very cute. Tall friends should try this one out!

KEEPING: RIBBED-KNIT MIDI DRESS

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(Image credit: @michaela_bee)

This easy basic was an immediate favorite. I love this periwinkle shade but will probably end up buying the dress in one of the other four colors, too. This will be my go-to for those days when I go straight from the beach to an outdoor dinner.

KEEPING: FLORAL-PRINTED DRESS

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(Image credit: @michaela_bee)

This is the perfect weekend dress. I'll be wearing it to brunches, bridal showers, and so much more.

KEEPING: LINEN MIDI DRESS

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(Image credit: @michaela_bee)

I love wearing linen dresses in the summertime, and this one just shot straight up to the top of my list. I have no idea where I'll wear it since it's not quite casual enough for every day, but I'm excited for it to make its debut, ideally styled with a pair of colorful strappy sandals.

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(Image credit: @michaela_bee)

Not yet convinced? I took a shot of the gorgeous strappy back just in case.

RETURNING: BLACK MAXI DRESS

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(Image credit: @michaela_bee)

This dress landed in the return pile because it lacked any shape, and I was drowning in the fabric a bit too much. The size pictured here is an XS for reference.

RETURNING: WHITE COLLARED TOP

RETURNING: SLITTED JEANS

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(Image credit: @michaela_bee)

I'm sorry, but I couldn't figure out how to tie this top, so I simply had no choice but to say goodbye. The jeans sadly also didn't work out due to my height yet again. I'm still on the hunt for a pair of slit jeans meant for us short girls (I'm just under 5'4''.)

KEEPING: CROPPED T-SHIRT

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(Image credit: @michaela_bee)

This white crop top worked out much better. It's a cotton material but much more interesting than your average tee thanks to those fun side ties.

KEEPING: CROCHETED DRESS

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(Image credit: @michaela_bee)

Hello, my new favorite vacation dress. Now all I need to do is plan one. Please note: I will be getting the straps shorted slightly to avoid my current side boob situation.

KEEPING: FLORAL MINIDRESS

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(Image credit: @michaela_bee)

I'm a big fan of dresses with scrunched fabric like this (see blue dress above), so yes I did choose to keep another one. Not to quote The Devil Wears Prada, but, "They're just so different."

KEEPING: STRIPED KNIT SHORTS

RETURNING: ORANGE BRA TOP

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(Image credit: @michaela_bee)

This top was a bit more of a sports bra look than I anticipated. I didn't feel like I needed it, so out it goes. The shorts, however, I Needed with a capital N. They're even cuter in real life, if you can imagine.

Up next, the only denim outfits that matter for summer.

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Fashion Director, Branded Content

Michaela Bushkin is the fashion director on the branded content team, leading the strategy for our fashion and luxury partners. She specializes in content creation and styling for photo and video shoots, specifically acrossBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing and Marie Claire. She spends her free time online shopping (or "researching" as she likes to call it), reading at the beach, and trying as many new restaurants in L.A. as possible.