Ask any of our Who What Wear fashion editors where they shop for expensive-looking yet affordable items and I can guarantee Zara will be practically everyone’s number one choice. The Spanish brand always gets it right when it comes to luxe-looking pieces that are always on-trend.
So now that the temps on my weather app keep rising (hurrah!), I have dresses on my mind, and I’ve been keen to add a handful of chic options to my Zara cart for the warm-weather season ahead. To get inspired, I asked my fellow Who What Wear editors to share the Zara dresses that they’re eyeing right now that are affordable but actually look triple the price. Who doesn’t want a luxe-looking outfit? Keep scrolling for the best Zara dresses to get your hands on this season, from minimalist ’90s silhouettes to silky fabrics.
“Hemlines are getting longer, and I’m here for it.”
“Exactly what I’d pack in my suitcase for a future vacation.”
“When in doubt, go for a satin-like dress when you want to look expensive without shelling out a ton of money. This white one is so pretty.”
“I live in midi dresses for spring and summer, and this one is at the top of my list. I think the topstitched detail and sleek silhouette make it look like a million bucks.”
“This satin fabric is so dreamy. The cutouts are also very on-trend for this spring and summer.”
“Catch me wearing this strapless minidress to brunch or a spring daytime event.”
“Nothing has ever looked more ’90s, and that is precisely why I love this dress.”
“This looks like it could be from The Row. Enough said!”
“Simple but stunning—that’s how I’d describe this silky minidress that easily looks triple its price.”
“This is what I like to call ‘suitcase worthy’ because it’s exactly what I want to wear on vacation.”
“Everything from the elegant neckline to the satin fabric makes this dress look pricey. It’s perfect to take you from day to night in style.”
“The statement beads add a unique touch to this sleek silhouette. I’ll be packing this on my upcoming summer vacation.”
“It’s officially linen-dress season, and you can bet this one is making its way into my closet.”
“I am almost exclusively buying into maxis right now, and this one has totally caught my eye. The print feels like such a luxe take on resortwear and would be perfect for summer nights.”
“I already bought the dress that Kat recommended. The bustier style is going to be huge this year, and I can’t wait to get invited to the perfect event to wear it to. So next on my list is this one. It has a similar aesthetic, but the feminine details make me want to wear it during the daytime.”
“Everywhere I look recently, all I see are crochet beach cover-ups that I desperately want to wear on and off the beach. I love that this one has elevated details like the neckline and sleeve style that take it from beachwear to ready-to-wear.”
“People sleep on Zara’s lingerie far too often. The fact that this dress isn’t yet sold out is proof of that.”
“The tweed fabric and slightly structured shape of this make it look expensive.”
“Simple black Zara dresses such as this are a smart buy when it comes to versatility and bang for your buck.”
“This dress went viral on TikTok in pink, but I think I much prefer the lilac version.”
“This dress is just the epitome of elegance. The bold hue, the draping… I love everything about it. I would add minimal accessories like a cuff bracelet and simple heels.”
