It used to be that only designer brands produced 'lookbooks' - a physical run-down of their key looks that fashion industry people could reference endlessly. Now everyone's into it - including Zara. And when it lands it's a bit like a bell alerting you to the fact that you need to get into store right, right now.
The Spring version has just arrived and it’s been made to look like it might have been shot on the world’s most casually stylish street, as the inhabitants nipped out for milk having haphazardly thrown on the nearest pile of items they could find which are obviously just the things which we really want, nay, need.
We nipped down to our local Zara and had a scout around online and have decided there are several ways to approach to shopping this lookbook (don’t ever accuse us of not getting technical when it comes to getting shopping strategy).
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Some of the easiest-to-wear now pieces have arrived in store already. There are sheer paneled white tops, little pastel dresses and overblown, wallpaper-like floral prints. There are quite a few versions of this pattern which makes sense because it was big on the catwalks at the likes of Marc Jacobs and Ostwald Helgason. We’d suggest heading into the store to pick your version of these as they vary from being beautifully made to a bit rough around the edges. Equally, the numerous crop tops are not to be seen online or in-store just yet but they’re a definite try-on rather than online purchase.
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You’ll notice every look is styled with a pair of sliders or Birkenstock-like sandals. If there’s a pair you love, then you should grab these online because they’re few and far between in our Zara store. We’re sure that there will be plenty more of these being drip-fed to us throughout the coming months but it’s likely none will be quite as good as what you see now.
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Our resident Zara expert tells us that now is the best time to shop because the freshest, best quality and most-likely quite limited edition versions of what’s set to be big are in store. Our expedition tells us that you shouldn’t be put off by the fact half the shop is still in sale mode. We discovered one of the best mini-collections right at the back, almost hidden away. This stuff is what you’ll want to get your hands on if you’re into that Celine arty abstract paint splash look but the materials were stiff and the seams neatly finished, almost as if they were actually designer. They’re not in the lookbook either.
Finally, Zara might be known for doing a good designer “tribute” and that they still do. But we reckon they might also be trying to set a few of their trends. Take the at-first-questionable shot of a brown suede jacket with mustard trousers. Bleurgh. But a visit to the store shows a big section of items in the colours merchandised together almost like the Zara powers-that-be are trying to subliminally convince us this is a good thing. We admit, it sort of started to work and now have a new appreciation of a palette we were previously unsure of.
Follow Bethan on Twitter @fashedatlarge
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.