Here’s how to shop the best bits from Zara’s SS18 collection

Zara has refreshed their spring/summer 18 collections to include dramatic bursts of colour, exaggerated hemlines, fresh silhouettes, nostalgic prints and daring accessories. Designers must be working overtime to provide shoppers with options galore so that Zara is your only one-stop shop this season. The latest collection features some of our favourite ‘of the minute’ pieces and has become our shopping saviour this past while; whether you’re clashing spots and stripes or looking for the perfect springtime sweater. Shopping in-store can be quite a strenuous undertaking; what with limited space and too many options to choose from. So, to figure out just where you should be laying down your cash this season, scroll ahead for some of the best new season highlights and how to wear them.

Straight talkin’

Straight leg denim trousers, €49.95 at Zara.com

I’m over skinny jeans. Done. If you are too, these straight-cut, fresh indigo jeans are a great way to say hello to the new season (while still having enough room in the waistline and legs to enjoy lunch). The matching jacket is great too and ties the whole look together, but if you’re not keen on being too matchy, a plain white T and some cool trainers will totally suffice.

Embroidered picnics

Studio embroidered skirt, €79.95 at Zara

I love how Zara have styled this studio embroidered skirt with stark contrasting colours and textures that play on the skirts motif. It’s as though a box of Crayola was let loose on your mother’s favourite skirt and the result is a colourful explosion: it’s busy, yet elegant and sophisticated. Wear a plain burnt-orange T-shirt or blouse to keep the focus on the skirt. However, if plain-jane isn’t your style and you want to experiment with texture a bit further, a cropped knit (as seen above) is another great choice. It might be unusual to see knitwear worn for spring and summer, but I bet it’ll come in handy here.

Give an earful

Two-tone hoop style earrings, €12.95 at Zara.com

Forget statement necklaces, as the summer season approaches, it’s all about head-turning, eye-popping earrings. I like the mix of baby pink and green beading: the striking contrast adds a further edge to these quirky but beautiful earrings. These bright, dangly hoops are not for wallflowers.

Think big

Oversized blouse with tie detail, €39.95 at Zara.com

Over-indulged at dinner? Not a problem. Have your cake and eat it in this charming oriental-meets-the-Amazon-rainforest oversized shirt. The clever tie wrap means it can be worn structured (beginning of dinner) or loose (post-feed). With such a broad spectrum of colours, this piece can be carried right through your wardrobe from now until Autumn; whether you like to keep things simple in a black pair of cigarette pants or prefer a pair of magenta culottes, this shirt will pair seamlessly with both.

Patch it up

Long patchwork dress, €49.95 at Zara.com

This long patchwork dress is a great option if you have a special occasion or event coming up. The asymmetrical hemline gives more fluidity to the length and silhouette – especially if you’re not naturally drawn to longer hemlines – and the contrasting colour arrangements are fresh and spring-like. This piece has a lovely nostalgic feel to it too: just picture long grass, grandma’s lemonade and a fresh ice cream cone in the sun…bliss.