I Just Popped Into Zara and Came Away With These 5 Items

It's really rare that I walk into an actual shop but something took over me this morning and I found myself aimlessly wandering into Zara—at almost 36 weeks pregnant. Just who the heck do I think I am right now? Some sort of fashion superhero? It's difficult enough getting dressed and putting my shoes on by myself right now, let alone perusing the rails of a shop that is always heaving and forever full of things I can't fit into, even when I'm not in my third trimester! 

But there I was picking up lots of lovely new-in autumn outfits, selecting a size or two up and discovering in the changing room that right now Zara actually has some real gems for girls who like their clothes stretchy and their high street pieces to be classic enough to last each and every autumn. I tried on as much as the shop assistants would allow (and as much as I had the energy to actually plough through) and found that a couple of key items were worth snapping up. I had originally been looking for the black knitted midi dress my colleague Emma Spedding recently unearthed from the Spanish behemoth, but it looks like I'll have to hit the online rails to secure that beauty as it wasn't to be found. Keep scrolling to see what I liked in Zara this morning…

PS. please excuse my puffy feet and ankles—nothing I can do about that! 

I'd usually be a medium in Zara skirts that are full around the hips but I went up to a large to accomodate the bump—and would just need to add a little popper stud inbetween the top two buttons (as I do with many buttoned items anyway) to keep it sitting smooth.

Technicalities aside this skirt just feels like such great quality—the tweed is weighty, the cut is still slinky and I know it's the kind of autumn trend that comes around time and time again.

Couldn't help myself! We're nowhere near party season but I think when you find a fun sparkly dress you should probably snap it up…

This lurex knitted style will work just as well post-bump and the colour is a really unusual option for a high street find—it makes it look far more expensive. FYI the lining was a bit of a pain to get in the right position but that could be because of my current status. I'd recommend unfastening/cutting it out of the shoulder attachments so you can put the slip on first then the dress over the top. It's a shame this doesn't go up to an XL or XXL as the fit is quite snug and many women will struggle to find it in their correct size.

How chic is this? I've been looking for some cool co-ords to wear during this time but they can often be quite jazzy or OTT. This black button-fronted skirt and crop top is grown-up and elegant instead.

I'm particularly into the square neckline and the fact that the skirt has pockets. I went for a medium in the skirt (but a large would work too) and a large in the crop top as it comes up really small.

I know it's hard to tell from my old iPhone snaps but this is actually a navy dress, not blac. It's loose-fitting and therefore friendly around my belly but non-pregnant ladies will really appreciate the roomy, sophisticated fit too—the batwing sleeves are particularly great.

I love the neck-tie: It elevates a simple item like this midi into higher fashion territory. Would be very cool with suede knee boots come winter.