Shh, It's a Secret: Zara Is Low-Key My #1 Go-To for Buying Jeans
I live in an apartment the size of some people’s master bathrooms, and yet I still manage to make room for what many would argue are way too many pairs of jeans. Apart from shoes, denim is, without a doubt, the fashion item that I own the most styles of, with everything from vintage Levi’s to $300+ designer denim lining the top shelf of my closet. That being said, neither is responsible for my all-time favorite pairs.
The brand that is? Zara. I’ve talked up the Spanish fashion brand for as long as I can remember, ever since I first stepped foot into one of its brick-and-mortar stores way back in middle school. Now, I frequent them as often as possible, testing out products and seeing what new trends they’ve come up with since the last drop a few days prior. But while trends are what Zara is known for, they’re not what I believe the brand does best. Rather, it’s denim that Zara excels at most.
To prove that you don’t need to spend upwards of $150 for jeans that fit great and look even better, I test-drove a few of Zara’s latest denim styles, from straight-leg to mom jeans.
Straight-Leg Jeans
Zara has a lot of good jeans in its new collection, but none quite compare to this classic straight-leg style, which comes in a dark wash and a black wash, and are as close to perfect as a pair of jeans can get. Tight in the butt, loose in the legs, these mid-rise, non-stretch jeans are well worth spending $46 on.
Shop the jeans:
Ripped Wide-Leg Jeans
After trying on multiple pairs of Zara’s new wide-leg jeans, I came to realize why exactly last year’s version from Zara was such a hit on TikTok. With a super-high rise, a wide (but not too wide) leg, and two perfectly placed knee rips, Zara’s just-released Ripped Wide-Leg Jeans are about to go viral. I can feel it.
Shop the jeans:
ZW the Marine Straight Jeans
Though cropped jeans with a wider leg aren’t usually my style (I prefer a longer silhouette to elongate my legs), I couldn’t wait to try out these new sailor-style jeans, specifically because of the luxe-looking colors they come in. From chocolate brown to hunter green, these cool shades are changing my mind about culottes.
Shop the jeans:
Z1975 Mom Fit Jeans
It’s official: Mom jeans have surpassed trend status and are now timeless. Well, at least this pair from Zara is. Just like the pair in every photo of your mom from the ’80s, these have almost zero stretch, a high-rise, and a slightly tapered leg. In other words, they’re perfect.
Shop the jeans:
Slim Jeans
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not a fan of skinny jeans. Truly, I feel blessed that Gen Z finally got rid of them. That said, I don’t have the same distaste for slim-fit jeans, which lack the super-stretchy feel of skinnies while maintaining their flattering, fitted silhouette.
Shop the jeans:
Next: Zara's Sale Is Selling Out Like Crazy—30 Under-$100 Fids That Aren't Gone Yet
Eliza Huber is an NYC-based senior fashion editor who specializes in trend reporting, brand discovery, and the intersection of sports and fashion. She joined Who What Wear in 2021 from Refinery29, the job she took after graduating with a business degree from the University of Iowa. She's launched two columns, Let's Get a Room and Ways to Wear; profiled Dakota Fanning, Diane Kruger, Katie Holmes, Gracie Abrams, and Sabrina Carpenter; and reported on everything from the relationship between Formula One and fashion to the top runway trends each season. Eliza lives on the Upper West Side and spends her free time researching F1 fashion imagery for her side Instagram accounts @thepinnacleoffashion and @f1paddockfits, watching WNBA games, and scouring The RealReal for discounted Prada.
-
I've Just Found *the* Denim Trend Parisian Women Are Wearing With Kitten Heels
Did I mention it's on sale?
-
I'm a Shopping Editor—These 5 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Finds Are Living Rent-Free in My Head
Kitten heels, burgundy flats, and more.
-
I Write About Shopping All Day—30 Chic and Fun Accessories From Zara, Nordstrom, and Revolve
From big beads to tassel-adorned bags.
-
Hold the Basic Jeans—This "Dated" Denim Trend Is on Its Way Back
Get ready for this comeback.
-
These Rich-Looking Pieces Are All Under $100 and Will Transform Your Style Now Through Fall
Affordable and stylish.
-
24 Chic Under-$100 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Finds That Are Taking Over My Fashion-Editor Text Group
Longchamp, Levi's, Madewell, and more.
-
I Swear By Elegant Outfits—35 Standout Items That Would Fit Right Into My Closet
Here's to a chicer outfit rotation.
-
Too Hot to Think? Try These 33 Chic Summer Finds From Revolve That Basically Style Themselves
Matching sets and lovely lace styles.