From frog-fastening details to keep-forever little black jackets, Zara’s new-in pieces are full of standout autumn staples. Here, The Handbook‘s Contributing Fashion & Lifestyle Editor, Astrid Carter, shares the in-store picks that caught her eye.

It’s not hard to find something you like in Zara, but for me to actually make a purchase, I have to really love it. Even as a fashion editor, I try to shop the high street as if I’m making key investment buys to fill genuine gaps in my wardrobe, or pieces that will bring me genuine joy long before the season is out. I popped into a store this week and was genuinely very impressed.

Woman with long brown hair wears a vibrant blue, short-sleeved top with knot details and light blue jeans—an effortlessly stylish look that’s new in at Zara. She takes a mirror selfie with a red and white chequered phone case, while a grey stool stands to her right.
A person with red nail varnish takes a mirror selfie, wearing a black blazer over a striped shirt—both pieces looking new in at Zara. Their phone has a red and white chequered case, and gold rings are visible on their fingers.

If I were to buy one piece, it would have been this little black jacket – the cut was so flattering & I loved the striped cuff lining.

Shirt With Frog Fastening, £39.99 – High-Waist barrel jeans, £29.99 – Straight buttoned blazer, £89.99

Woman with long brown hair wearing a loose, bright green shirt—new in at Zara—takes a mirror selfie with a red and white chequered phone case in a minimal room.

Poplin Shirt, £39.99

First, the colour palettes really stood out – from a vivid Klein Blue blouse to a Kermit green oversized shirt (not for everyone, but it felt very Frankie Shop-coded), alongside an array of striped trousers in both fun and more sober hues that I’m always a sucker for.

Secondly, I felt like Zara is being a little more generous with their sizing. They have historically been criticised – and rightly so – for their sizing being way off, but while I would usually size up, I found everything fitted well in my regular size, and pieces cut to be oversized were genuinely oversized. There is still a lot more they could do with their size offering, but it was a welcome observation.

This Kermit green oversized shirt is not for everyone, but it felt very Frankie Shop-coded.

And lastly, denim. I tried on four different pairs of jeans, and they have seriously upped their game. If, like me, you prefer your denim rigid with little-to-no stretch (I’m a firm believer that if a pair of jeans are too comfy, they probably don’t look as good as they feel), Zara is killing it right now at a high-street price point – from white jeans in barrel shapes to a pair of workwear-blue jeans that I predict will be everywhere next season.

A woman with wavy hair takes a mirror selfie wearing a checked shirt, blue trousers, and holding a red and white chequered phone case—her effortlessly chic look showcases pieces that are new in at Zara. She stands in a bright, minimal room with white walls and a round seat.

Oversize Check Shirt, £45.99 – Mid-Waist Barrel Jeans, £45.99

Plaid shirts are definitely having a comeback, and if styled well, I think they always look effortlessly cool. I’ve had my eye on a brilliant Róhe version, but £500+ for a plaid shirt feels a little steep. Zara’s dupe is really good. It has that nostalgic, high-school dress check feel, it’s comfortably roomy (no need to size up), and features button detailing down either side that makes it feel elevated. I paired it with slim-barrel jeans in a vivid Klein blue – a shade that is about to be everywhere.

Woman taking a mirror selfie in a changing room, wearing a light blue shirt and high-waisted blue and white striped trousers, with brown and white shoes—both new in at Zara. She has one hand in her pocket.

Short Sleeve Shirt, £39.99 – Trousers With Belt, £35.99

I rarely meet a striped trouser I don’t like, and Zara has plenty right now, in an array of fun and more sober hues.

Finally, if you’re in the market for some new-season workwear, Zara feels remarkably grown-up and polished right now. I loved this buttercream linen suit – which is great girl math when worn as separates, too – and this grandad collar shirt. They actually had the shirt in loads of colours, and while it has very little hanger appeal, it’s super chic, effortless, and instantly elevates simpler looks.

Woman with long hair wears a cream pinstripe suit and white shoes, taking a mirror selfie in a minimal dressing room with neutral walls and a small round stool—her look is effortlessly chic and new in at Zara.
Woman taking a mirror selfie, wearing a light beige blouse and white trousers—both new in at Zara. Her phone has a red and white chequered case, and she has wavy brown hair. The background is a minimal indoor space.

Striped Linen Blazer, £79.99 | Striped Linen Trousers, £49.99 | Low-Rise Regular Jeans, £27.99 | Flowing Short Sleeve Blouse, £29.99

Shop Astrid’s edit…

A short-sleeve blue blouse, new in at Zara, features a high collar and five decorative knotted fastenings running diagonally down the front right side.
Shirt With Frog Fastening
£39.99
Light blue, high-waisted wide-leg jeans with a button and zip fastening, front and back pockets, and visible front seams—new in at Zara—displayed on a plain white background.
High-Waist Barrel Jeans
£29.99
New in at Zara, this black tailored blazer features a notched lapel, long sleeves, and eight buttons down the front, displayed against a plain white background.
Straight Buttoned Blazer
£89.99
Light green, long-sleeve button-up shirt with a collar, displayed against a plain white background. New in at Zara, this shirt features a relaxed fit and clean, simple lines.
Poplin Shirt
£39.99
A loose-fitting, long-sleeve button-up shirt with a maroon, white, and navy blue checked pattern—new in at Zara—displayed against a plain white background.
Oversize Check Shirt
£45.99
Bright blue wide-leg jeans with a high waist, five pockets, belt loops, and a button fly—new in at Zara—displayed against a plain white background.
Mid-Waist Barrel Jeans
£45.99
Light blue, loose-fitting, short-sleeved tunic with a round collar and partial front button placket, newly in at Zara and displayed on a plain white background.
Short Sleeve Shirt
£39.99
High-waisted, wide-leg trousers with vertical navy blue, white, and tan stripes and a black belt with a gold buckle—new in at Zara—displayed on a plain white background.
Trousers WIth Belt
£35.99
Beige pinstripe blazer with notched lapels and four dark buttons down the front, new in at Zara, displayed against a plain white background.
Striped Linen Blazer
£79.99
White, high-waisted, straight-leg jeans with front and back pockets, belt loops, and a button fastening—new in at Zara—displayed against a plain white background.
Low-Rise Regular Jeans
£27.99
Beige, short-sleeved shirt with a subtle vertical stripe pattern, a round neckline, and a partial button placket on the front. The shirt has a loose, boxy fit and is displayed against a plain white background—a versatile piece that’s new in at Zara.
Flowing Short Sleeve Blouse
£29.99
Wide-leg, high-waisted beige trousers with subtle vertical pinstripes, belt loops, a front button fastening, and side pockets—new in at Zara—displayed against a plain white background.
Striped Linen Blend Trousers
£49.99
Accessories, Fashion, Outfits, Trending Fashion

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