Zara

The tricky transitional climate means we're ready to box our heavy boots and lug-soled heels till next Fall — but it's not exactly sandal weather yet. So we're looking to a style-conscious footwear hybrid: the open-toe or cutout bootie (or the fashion equivalent of having your cake and eating it, too). The clever silhouette feels lighter and fresher than our Winter ankle boots, but doesn't make the jump from zipped and laced-up boot to open sandals and bare feet. It's a perfect nod to Spring that's easy to incorporate into your transitional looks, like skinny jeans and anoraks — and it's a lot easier to wear than you think. To make our case, we've curated nine of our favorite pairs at all price points. Some are more fashion-forward, and some are just right for testing the waters — click on to find your perfect pair.

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In what's shaping up to be the most comfortable Spring '13 shoe trend, the lower-heel profile continues its takeover with the chic oxford. We've already waxed poetic on the kitten heel, but now we're veering into a more traditional flat shoe with a distinct borrowed-from-the-boys twist. Whether the silhouette is classic (think brogue detailing and a patent finish) or culls fashion-forward accents like metallic shine, exotic texture, leather cutouts, or colorblocking, there's certainly a more dynamic way to interpret (read: wear) the flat oxford look. Luckily, Alexander Wang, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Fendi, and even Zara have all crafted their own versions to appeal to a handful of style personalities. As for execution? Remember that these shoes work for day and night — and as long as you show a little ankle (at the very least), you're good to go. Click on for 16 of our favorite oxford picks now.

We can't wait to shed all of our heavy Winter coats for lighter fare, and with warmer temps within reach, we're looking to update our wardrobe with the perfect Spring jacket. Our favorite styles this season range from chic trench coats — perfect for wearing with just about anything — to sportier renditions, like 3.1 Phillip Lim's gorgeous silk-embroidered bomber. To help you get on the right Spring track, we've handpicked 11 irresistible options (at all price points) for you to shop right now.

Zara just released its February TRF lookbook, filled with covetable Spring pieces we'd like to wear, well, now. Yes, there might still be snow on the streets, but there's no harm in stocking up for the warmer weather (and Summer concert season) ahead. That said, feast your eyes on the Spanish retailer's slick array of embroidered jackets, crystal-embellished tops, and enough denim to last you all season long. The latter highlighted some irresistibly cool nomad and dot-print patterns on an array of bleached jeans. Meanwhile, there are enough cutoff shorts to take you to Coachella, Central Park's Concert Series, and beyond. See our top three picks below, then click on to see the complete lookbook.

• We'd like to pair this silky embroidered sweatshirt with a pencil skirt and heels for a fun twist on office dressing.
• How gorgeous is the floral detailing on this quilted moto jacket? It's the perfect Spring statement piece.
• This beaded military vest was made for Coachella. Channel the Kate Moss effect and pair it with cutoffs, a tank, and moto boots.

As if we really needed more reason to shop, Zara went ahead and kicked off its semiannual sale at midnight. We're certainly not complaining — this feels like a Christmas-come-early situation — and we're fully prepared to take on the covet-worthy discounted merchandise within. So much so, we've already gone ahead and done some scouting for you. That way, you can get in and get out (figuratively speaking) in record time. You know that Kate Moss-inspired colorblocked leopard overcoat you've had your eye on? Oh, it's under $200 now. Or, what about those cool-girl Western ankle boots? Yep, the price tag on those has been slashed. It's good news all around, but the best news by far is the chic wardrobe potential that lies ahead — at a fraction of the cost — so keep clicking.

Source: Zara People

Holiday dressing usually means lots of glitz, glamour, sequins — and the inevitable stress of getting the look just right. But what if this year you took a page out of Zara's Twelve, the latest in their lineup of lookbooks, which streamlines holiday-themed dressing with a more unexpected collection of mainly minimalist silhouettes and a sleek black and white palette. It's a testament to the fact that less really can be more — like a pop of sparkle on a palm-sized clutch to complement an understated velvet LBD, or just a hint of embellished trim on the sleeves of your otherwise all-white party top. If you're typically more of the over-the-top party dress type, we promise these pieces make a statement where it counts — cue this seriously sexy subtly cutout LBD. Click on to see Kasia Struss show off the rest of Zara's holiday-perfect pieces.

All year it's turned out collections that hone in on our favorite trends (at our favorite price points) — and Zara's last looks of 2012 are just as awesome. Perfectly on-point for the holiday season — without any festive dressing clichés here — the December lineup is a mix of black and white stripes, sophisticated houndstooth blazers, sequined minis, a touch of plaid, and a hearty helping of leather. It may not be rife with the most obvious choices for party dressing, but a printed t-shirt, statement jewels, and a blazer might just be a cooler alternative to your average Christmas dress anyway, as evidenced by lookbook muse Kasia Struss. They're also the kind of pieces you'll keep in rotation long after your holiday party and NYE obligations. Read on for our takeaways — then click through for a look at the whole collection.

• If you're not the party-dress type, this jumpsuit makes a pretty sexy alternative.
• Style up a sequined skirt just like this for the coolest kind of New Year's dress code.
• This sequined jacket is one of those awesome pieces, with just the right amount of party glitz and sophistication, that last you long after the ball drops.