I'm going to let you into a little affordable chic fashion secret.
If, like me, you're someone who loves updating your wardrobe with one carefully chosen new season fashion piece ahead of the crowd, this one's for you.
I'm expecting softly draped, fluid tops to become one of autumn's defining fashion shapes. Caped T-shirts, draped camisoles and airy designs have been a hallmark of heatwave style this summer, and that will only become more polished as we move into early autumn.
It's easy to see why, too; draped tops are modern and elegant, luxuriously update jeans and a top energy, and trust me, just by wearing one you will feel instantly more fashionable.
Which is why this new Zara top immediately caught my eye.
And now, here's the insider secret.
One of the reasons I always look at Zara first when a new season begins is because the retailer tests its key new styles early. The pieces that resonate with customers are the ones that go into wider production in different colours and fabrics.
But here's the bit I've learnt over years of shopping there. Those first pieces are always, and I mean always, the best made. Zara puts real effort into its initial designs because they're effectively testing a new idea. Which is why I always cherry-pick one standout piece at the very beginning of the season and, without fail, I've ended up wearing them for years.
When I saw this beautifully draped top on Zara's new in page today, I knew straight away that it was one of those pieces. Made with a creamy white Lyocell fabric, with its fluid drapes, softly gathered sleeves and elegant scarf detail, it is exact top I think will become a key piece fashion-forward piece for the new season.
It draped low at the front, so I would first wear it with a little camisole underneath, and it style it with tailored Bermuda shorts, or a denim maxi skirt now, and straight leg jeans or black trousers later this month, and with a blazer when autumn arrives, and it will go the distance, I promise.
Sometimes one beautifully designed top is all it takes to make the rest of your wardrobe feel brand new.
