Photo:
@ellymcgaw
I’m not going to lie to you. Zara and Mango are usually the places I beeline to when I’m in the mood to indulge myself with a cheap and trendy buy. As I was idly scrolling through their new arrivals and J.Crew’s staples on my last visit, I couldn’t help but notice all the chic and timeless pieces, especially the pieces that looked destined for a “forever wardrobe.” With a certain anti-trend, quiet-luxury aesthetic on the rise, these three retailers are clearly taking notes on the growing interest in paring things back and have been acting accordingly.
Once I spotted a few quiet-luxury finds, I searched all up and down the sites and found a trove of items that were so chic, so luxurious, and so wealthy looking that they shocked me to my very core. From the languid cream-toned trousers you’ll want to skip your jeans for to the striped knits that will make you look like you just spent time on a yacht, I’m uncovering the best expensive-looking Zara, Mango, and J.Crew finds to buy now and wear forever.
Zara
Zara
Combination Cutout Dress
$70
Dreamy.
Zara
Soft Knit Sweater
$48
To wear with a full skirt and kitten heels à la Prada.
Zara
Animal Print Slingback Heels
$60
If you told me these were Saint Laurent, I’d believe you.
Zara
Maxi Button Earrings
$23
Even your white tee will look like luxury when you wear these.
Zara
High Collar Organza Top
$36
Hello, beautiful.
Striped Textured Blazer
$90
It’s giving trust fund and an offshore bank account.
Zara
100% Wool Knit Bottoms
$28
Wool briefs may not be the most practical item, but when has indulging in something luxurious ever been sensible?
Zara
Faux Patent Leather Wedge Sandals
$70
This heel shape is so hot.
Zara
Fitted Blazer
$90
This nipped-in waist feels very now.
Zara
Midi Skirt With Side Slits
$50
Whoever said workwear couldn’t be cool obviously never saw this skirt.
Zara
Cable Knit Sweater
$50
Cable-knits are a wealthy-wardrobe nonnegotiable.
Zara
Draped Midi Dress
$50
When you have an LBD this good in your closet, you don’t need to look at any others.
Zara
Feather Poplin Shirt
$129
Feather details have my heart.
Mango
Mango
Pocket Tweed Jacket
$130
The kind of jacket that makes anything you wear it with look better.
Mango
Short Sleeve Polo Shirt With Buttons
$36
She looks booked and busy.
Mango
Cross-Body Bag
$70
I guarantee you’ll end up carrying this bag on the daily.
Mango
Polo Neck Dress
$50
Now, all you need is a country club membership.
Mango
Long Sleeved Cotton Shirt
$80
Yes, even certain colors can give off that quiet-luxury vibe, and this soft pink is one of them.
Mango
Double Compartment Shopper Bag
$80
The bigger the bag, the bigger the bank account.
Mango
Geometric Print Shirt
$60
Versatile without being boring.
Mango
Triple-Breasted Blazer
$180
This blazer could easily pass as vintage Prada.
Mango
Contrast Detail Knitted Cardigan
$50
Contrast trim never fails to remind me of ’90s Chanel.
Mango
Striped Cardigan With Jewel Buttons
$80
Wear this with cream trousers and gold jewelry if you know what you’re doing.
Mango
Leather Heeled Slingback Shoe With Buckles
$160
Red-hot.
Mango
Tweed Blazer With Jewel Button
$140
Tweed time.
Mango
Leather Penny Loafers
$140
This coffee color feels very old money to me.
J.Crew
J.Crew
Louisa Lady Jacket
$278
Confirmed: Everyone’s wearing boxy jackets right now.
J.Crew Collection
Long-Sleeve Button-Front Mini Dress
$198
Yes, yes, and yes.
J.Crew
Berkeley Bucket Bag
$198
Ooh.
J.Crew
Stevie Ankle Boots
$248
There are a zillion ankle boots on the market, but this slim toe and discreet heel are incredibly chic.
J.Crew
Slim-Fit Shirt
$268
Love that fitted shape.
J.Crew
Sculptural Hinge Bracelet
$60
Immediately yes.
J.Crew
Heritage Barn Jacket
$198
$150
East Coast fall > East Coast summer.
Relaxed Heritage Trench Coat
$248
Simply a must.
J.Crew
Giselle Sweater-Blazer
$158
$120
The buttons, though.
J.Crew
Astrid Wide-Leg Pant
$168
$135
Satin trousers are about as luxe as it gets.
J.Crew
Cashmere Crewneck Sweater Shell
$98
To wear with trousers, jeans, and skirts alike.
J.Crew
Edie Italian Leather Bag
$198
Celine taste on a J.Crew budget.
J.Crew
Emilie Patch-Pocket Sweater Lady Jacket
$138
Style this with white jeans and ballet flats like a true fashion person.
J.Crew
Short Trench Coat
$298
$185
Timeless and chic.
J.Crew
Full-Length Slim Wide-Leg Jeans
$158
This darker wash and tailored fit are about as sophisticated as jeans can get.
J.Crew
Drop-Waist Dress
$248
*The* dress shape of the year.
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