An L.A. Editor Walks Into Zara—29 Items She Couldn't Leave Without

13 hours ago 4
Lauren Adhav

published 26 December 2024

@laurencaruso_ wearing a striped button-down shirt and black skirt.

As an L.A. transplant who moved from New York City three years ago, I feel like I'm just now beginning to understand the West Coast dress code. Yes, there's a lot more athleisure you see while out and about (which makes sense for a city that seemingly revolves around hiking and Pilates classes), but I find that, at its core, L.A. dressing is about evoking a certain effortlessness with your outfits. The longer I live here, the more I realize my style is more closely aligned with L.A., and I've been sure of the pieces I wear now more than ever—certainly more than when I lived in NYC, where I was always second-guessing my ensemble before leaving my apartment.

When it comes to everyday pieces, I always look at what Zara has to offer. The retailer has great prices, plus the styles I've bought are ones I wear over and over. I still have a shirt from the store that's almost a decade old. Below, you'll find 32 items from the site that I'm hoping to relocate into my fashion-editor closet. And because my style's changed so much since my move from NYC, they all also fit seamlessly with the L.A. fashion scene, whether you're in Santa Monica or Silverlake. From knee-high boots and shoulder bags to wide-leg jeans and cardigans, each of the forthcoming designs had me reaching for my wallet. (I am in the middle of a closet overhaul, after all.) Keep shopping for my most coveted Zara picks right now.

Zw Collection Tailored Blazer

ZARA

Zw Collection Tailored Blazer

This structured blazer is such a cool piece.

Cashmere Blend Plain Knit Cardigan

ZARA

Cashmere Blend Plain Knit Cardigan

You can never have too many cardigans.

Leather Belt With Oval Buckle

ZARA

Leather Belt With Oval Buckle

I used to never wear belts, and now I really see the use—especially when you're layering with a cropped white tank top.

Trf High Rise Wide Leg Jeans

ZARA

Trf High Rise Wide Leg Jeans

I know low-rise jeans are back in, but I still love me a pair of high-waisted pants. Don't come for me!

Asymmetric Soft Suede Bucket Bag

ZARA

Asymmetric Soft Suede Bucket Bag

Even though suede is harder to take care of, I have such a soft spot for it—especially on a bag like this.

Double Faced Jacket Zw Collection

ZARA

Double Faced Jacket Zw Collection

A lined jacket that adds some texture is always a yes in my book.

Basic Knit Sweater

This color is really speaking to me.

Suede Leather Mini Skirt Zw Collection

ZARA

Suede Leather Mini Skirt Zw Collection

This tobacco-brown shade is so good.

Wide Heeled Leather Boots

ZARA

Wide Heeled Leather Boots

Knee-high boots are always a go-to of mine.

Jacquard Midi Dress

This dress is even prettier in person, if you can believe it.

Cable Knit Sweater

This looser-fitting cable-knit is such a good style.

Double Pleat Pants

Elevate your winter look with some pleated pants in this trendy burgundy shade.

Slingback Buckle Shoes

ZARA

Slingback Buckle Shoes

Slingbacks are so much better than pumps in my opinion. These buckle ones are very chic.

Plain Knit Bomber Jacket

ZARA

Plain Knit Bomber Jacket

When you mix a bomber jacket with a cardigan, you get this cozy knit jacket.

Flap Shoulder Bag

The shape and burgundy hue of this shoulder bag is one I'll wear over and over again this season.

Plain Knit Vest

This gray vest is such a classic, and it looks so elevated with the matching skirt.

Shop the matching Basic Knit Midi Skirt ($46).

Corduroy Mini Skirt

Miniskirts and a sweater are a classic pair and made for those L.A. nights.

Split Leather Kitten Heeled Ankle Boots

ZARA

Split Leather Kitten Heeled Ankle Boots

This shade is everything.

Double Strap Bucket Bag

ZARA

Double Strap Bucket Bag

A simple black bucket bag will truly stand the test of time. Plus, this price point isn't half bad.

Wool Blend Coat Zw Collection

ZARA

Wool Blend Coat Zw Collection

Los Angeles can still get pretty cold, so a wool coat is always a good item to keep in your closet.

Long Checkered Skirt

ZARA

Long Checkered Skirt

This plaid skirt is really speaking to me, especially with a brown sweater and chunky boots.

Zara Basic Soft Knit Sweater

ZARA

Basic Soft Knit Sweater

I always try to stock up on crewneck sweaters when the weather gets a little chilly.

Washed Interlock Dress

ZARA

Washed Interlock Dress

Patch Pocket Z1975 Denim Shirt

ZARA

Patch Pocket Z1975 Denim Shirt

A denim shirt will go with so many things in your wardrobe, trust me.

Suede Ballet Flats

I'm eyeing these suede flats to switch up my usual leather ones.

Skort

When those Santa Ana winds act up in L.A., you'll be glad you're wearing a skort.

Soft Feel Ribbed Pants

ZARA

Soft Feel Ribbed Pants

For the days when you don't want to wear jeans, I suggest gravitating toward these ribbed pants.

Oversized Pinstripe Blazer

ZARA

Oversized Pinstripe Blazer

Can never say no to pinstripes.

Pleated Skort

Sometimes the day calls for a preppy look, and this pleated skort will help you get there.

Lauren Adhav is a freelance fashion editor based in Los Angeles. Originally from Orlando, Florida, she always wanted to work at a fashion magazine. After finally getting an internship at Town & Country in 2015, she moved to New York City and continued to get her footing in the industry with stints at Cosmopolitan, W magazine, Harper's Bazaar, and Moda Operandi. In 2017, she returned to Cosmo full time, starting off as the beauty and fashion editorial assistant and working her way to fashion editor. She contributed to both the website and print issues, pitching new ideas, forecasting trends, covering red carpet events, and informing the overall coverage and brand voice. After five years in NYC, she moved to the West Coast for the sunshine and the change of pace. As a freelance fashion editor, she still contributes to Cosmo and now Who What Wear. She's always trying to get ahead of the next big trend before it goes mainstream and loves discovering fashion brands with a unique point of view (Chopova Lowena, Sandy Liang, and Bode being some of her current favorites). She also spends an unhealthy amount of time online shopping for the perfect piece, and now that she's in L.A., she's rediscovering her soft spot for malls. On the weekends, you can find her walking around the Silver Lake Reservoir, trying to catch up on her tan at Venice Beach, and probably ordering a Chinese chicken salad at Joan's on Third.

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