Very few Zara items get the kind of press its Asymmetric Lace Dress has. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, then A) where have you been, and B) I'm going to apologise in advance for the damage it's about to do to your bank balance – if it's in stock, that is, which is currently not the case. If you've been eyeing up said dress, but you've gone disappointed to see the 'coming soon' or 'view similar' signs, then I might've just found the best alternative there is. Enter, Zara's Satin Lace Dress.
With a very similar asymmetric hem that only those with a microscope would be able to differentiate from Zara's original viral dress, this satin lace dress, which is part of the ZW Collection, features a flattering lace-trimmed halter neck. Currently, the dress is only available in black, which is perfect and incredibly versatile (whether you're keen on dressing like Wednesday Addams or not). Black dresses have been hailed as one of the most popular colours of the summer, even coming in above butter yellow, which is somewhat unsurprising when you think of the practicality of an LBD (it's sure to hide any grass, red wine, or coffee stains).
Zarawww.zara.com
This satin lace dress features a halter neckline that's great for those who prefer their evening gowns to be a little more modest, as well as lace appliqué on the asymmetric hem. Finish the outfit with a pair of kitten heels and a statement bag.
If your calendar is looking a lot like mine this summer, and you need to invest in one dress that's suitable to wear to everything, including weddings, festivals, garden parties, and birthday parties, Zara's satin lace dress should be at the top of your list. Style for a more formal event with kitten heels, a colourful clutch bag and chunky bangles. Alternatively, wear to a festival paired with flat knee-high boots (that are very much wet-weather-tested too) and a crossbody bag. For the cooler weather, style with ballet flats and a long trench coat or over trousers for those evenings that start in the pub and finish much, much later.
So, if you missed out on the other Zara lace dress that had the entirety of the Grazia desk rushing to buy it, this is your second chance, and honestly, it's just as good (if not better). The satin is flattering, the lace is flirty, and the dress basically looks like something that would be packed into Kate Moss' suitcase from the 90s. With all the hallmarks of a future sell-out, shop the style now, before it's inevitably gone too.
Main image credit: Instagram/@kare.julia
Gemma Lavers is a fashion commerce writer at Grazia, where she tracks down viral pieces and is as comfortable navigating the M&S new-in page as she is dissecting the latest celebrity look. When not writing, shopping or at Reformer Pilates (a cliché but she's hooked), Gemma will likely be planning her next holiday (and what she's going to wear). For a glimpse into said travels, outfit inspo and life as a journalist, follow her on Instagram or TikTok.