10 Basic Bargains To Buy In The Zara Summer Sale

There are few thrills for a fashion enthusiast as anticipated as Zara's seasonal sales: only occurring twice a year, their racks and rails laden with big red Sale tags and even bigger discounts, make the queuing-time almost worth it! The announcement was made yesterday that their iconic Spring/Summer Sale would commence in stores on the 24th June, and on the app the night before. The announcement followed predictions from fashionistas and bargain-hunters alike concerned with when it would begin, and those of us prepared have compiled carefully-curated shopping carts with the essential Summer basics for a trendy fast-fashion wardrobe on a thrifty budget. But which 10 pieces from the Zara S/S 2021 Sale should we spend our pay-checks on?

1. Little Black Dinner Dress (with a trendy twist)

The little black dress is a timeless staple with which you can embody almost anybody (e.g Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Munroe, Princess Diana), whilst it's universally complimentary color flatters every body. It is the perfect basic piece with which your wardrobe works itself around. There are several styles on offer in the Zara sale, ranging from knit maxis, satin midis, and shirt-style minis. Each of which are versatile and easy to seamlessly dress up or down. They are perhaps the most quintessential basic a fashion enthusiast should invest in. And if it's on sale? Even better.

For classy evening dinners, a black satin midi dress keeps you cool in the humid summer breeze, disguises any drunken food and wine stains, and a flowing shift-dress shape is comfortable and unrestrictive, allowing for the inevitable post-pasta bloating. 

For re-union cocktails with the girls after a lengthy lockdown hiatus, a mini dress in any fabric and detailing is perfect for long-awaited drinking and flirting; low-cut necklines and exposed crossed-legs are never out of place in an overpriced, gentrified city bar.

In particular, mini variations of the satin slip dress have been a popular party dress as of late, but it can easily be dressed-down when worn with chunky white trainers and a leather jacket, or dressed-up with kitten heals and an oversized blazer. Whilst an equally stylish new season style has been the blazer-style mini dress - a practical and economical compromise between buying and wearing two separate pieces, a black mini and a blazer. What could be a better bargain than buying a dress like this in the sale?

2. Monochrome Straight-Fit Blazer: Not Your Dad's Dinner Jacket

The Model-off-duty look which has monopolized my Pinterest feed in recent months is characterized by only a few staple pieces; straight-fit denim jeans, chunky trainers, and oversized men's blazers. It's no secret that men's tailoring has dominated high-fashion runways for several seasons now, but for a single piece to have transferred so suddenly to mainstream street-fashion is unusual, but nonetheless exciting.

Not the most traditionally body-flattering piece, but strangely that is the ironic charm of a dramatically oversized 'tailored' blazer. When paired with well-fitting denim or a sexy slip dress it's effortless mystique is unmistakably chic. The addition of shoulder-pads in many of the blazers, although reminiscent of our mother's 80s exploits, make you appear taller, poised, and powerful. Despite being popularized by legends like Kia Gerber and Kendell Jenner, its oversized yet tailored fit is universally flattering - and equally 'forgiving'.

Whether you favor a neon green or houndstooth print, this silhouette is here to stay. And there are a variety of styles to choose from in this season's sale. If in doubt, neutral tones like black, navy, and tan, are timeless, foolproof, and the possible outfits are endless.  

3.Dark-Wash Denim for Days

It is almost universally agreed by women, that jean shopping is tiresome. Maybe one of the most impossibly stressful and distressing experiences to occur in malls worldwide besides overcrowded food-courts and public toilets. The trying experience has only been exasperated by the Coronavirus pandemic's inevitable weight-gain and closed changing rooms. Not being able to try on your items until you've bought them is not an appealing prospect, but Zara's predictive size charts have proven to be a life-saving implement. Stubbornly, I have insisted on ordering jeans from Zara in a size smaller than they've recommended, and as they are known for often running-small, this was a recipe for hurt feelings. Unsurprisingly, they didn't fit. To my chagrin, their estimates, although often surprising, are annoyingly accurate.

This being said, Zara's jeans were some of the first items I hastily added to my kart. In particular, their straight-leg denim. Last season saw a rejection of the super skinny jeans (Hurrah!), as well as fewer favoring the high-rise fit (On no). It is challenging to predict which fits, shapes, and shades, will be 'on-trend' this Spring/Summer. However, a mid-to high-rise straight-fit denim is one of the most timeless and universally flattering styles. A straight-leg non-stretch denim is an elevated, more mature and chic version of a skinny jean: they have the same elongated-leg effect, and tailored body-hugging fit.

Despite being a basic, as an essential element to a successful and versatile wardrobe, straight-leg jeans can be made more recognisably 'you' if the details are chosen correctly. Favor a more monochrome, expensive look that allows you to effortlessly dress from day to night? Choose a dark-wash long-length denim. Prefer a more casual, French, street-wear style? Perhaps a faded-blue or grey toned wash. In order to be more sustainable, and avoid wasting money on micro-trends that are unwearable and short-lived, avoid the neon-colored denim and excessively flared or skinny silhouettes, even if it seems like a great deal. 

4. Dad Trainers That Say: "Lets grab brunch after the gym?"

Chunky trainers rose to infamy several seasons ago, with mixed responses. In theory, they are a nostalgic and comfortable essential basic, and their chunky heals which elongate your legs are easy to incorporate with cute athleisure-wear. However, despite gaining popularity they are still often regarded as Dad-esque. But is that really a bad thing? 

The Sneaker-heads would have you believe that the brand and its distinctive features are the most important factor when investing in a classic trainer. I would disagree: obvious, ostentatious branding to exhibit your extortionate wealth is tacky, and elitist, and even (dun, dun, dun) cheugy! For example the FILA Disruptor was a huge hit in 2020, when lounge-wear and athleisure dominated the day-to-day, but its distinctive wide-rims and chunky, jagged soles have since aged poorly.

A clean, monochrome, neutral-colored trainer is classy, seamless, and easy to wear (if you don't mind getting them dirty). If you want to make the most of the sale by buying versatile quality pieces, white trainers are the smartest choice. They can even be paired with all of the items above, and the resultant outfits wouldn't look out of place on any supermodel 'OOTD' Pinterest boards. 

5. Next Year's Winter Coat

Summer has only just begin, in fact that is the Spring/Summer Sale! Why on Earth would I buy a winter coat now?

Well, it's a pretty obvious money-saver. Why spend upwards of £100 and pay full-price in a few months time, when demand is high and good deals are few-and-far-between? When you could invest in a chic, practical, good quality Winter coat a season in advance, and be toasty and warm waiting in line to buy your Christmas party dress whilst everyone else shivers with jealousy of your warmth and preparedness.

The blazers and coats are fantastically valuable layering pieces which complete a versatile wardrobe. Pair them together or just with a white button-up or cotton t-shirt for a cohesive, complementary combination of cuts and colors which will never grow old. 

Surprisingly, even more so than blazers, I would consider investing in a statement coat. Perhaps a distinctive color, pattern, or buttons? As long as their quality is comfortable and durable a statement coat can maintain is value for several seasons. As well as acting an a necessary juxtaposition to the largely classical and neutral-toned capsule collection that I have advocated for throughout. 

6. Cashmere and wool: bougey on a budget

7. Plain T Shirts for the everyday

8. Leather Bags (all things big and small)

9. Smart Work Trousers for when we're back at the office

10. Gifts: pre-buy presents at a discount

Ultimately, regardless of the contents of your cart, there is an abundance of bargains to be bought. The practicality and wearability of which depends on your personal taste and I very much look forward to seeing the range of hauls by Zara veterans on TikTok in the near future.