I learned the fashion editor secret to making Zara look like it costs 10x more (and you can too)

Okay so I’m about to blow up the spot of every fashion editor in Manhattan, but honestly? More people need to know this trick because it’s literally game-changing.

Last month I was at this industry event – one of those networking things where everyone’s trying to look expensive on media salaries, you know? – and I overheard this conversation that made me almost choke on my cheap wine. This editor from a major magazine was getting compliments on her skirt, and someone asked if it was the new Bottega piece that’s been all over Instagram. She just smiled and whispered “Zara, but don’t tell anyone.”

That’s when it hit me. Fashion people have been gatekeeping this information forever, acting like making affordable clothes look expensive is some kind of trade secret. But honestly? It’s not that complicated once you understand the formula.

I’ve been testing these techniques for the past year, partly because my content creator budget is… let’s just say it’s not Vogue editor money, and partly because I’m genuinely fascinated by how perception works in fashion. The results have been wild – I’ve gotten more compliments on my $45 Zara blazer than on actual designer pieces I’ve splurged on.

So here’s exactly how fashion editors do it, and trust me, once you start seeing these patterns you can’t unsee them.

First thing – and this is crucial – you cannot, absolutely cannot, walk into Zara and buy what they’re showing you. Those mannequin outfits? The campaign looks? That’s literally designed to be recognizable as “current season Zara.” Which is the opposite of what we want.

When I go Zara shopping now, I completely ignore the styled displays and go straight to hunting mode. I’m looking for pieces that don’t scream their origin story. Last week I found this oversized linen blazer in the most perfect muted green – nothing about it looked trendy or obvious. The cut was architectural, the color was sophisticated, and most importantly, there was zero visible branding.

This is where most people mess up. They get distracted by cute prints or obvious trend pieces, but those are exactly what make something look cheap. I’m looking for interesting proportions, quality-looking textures, and pieces that could theoretically exist at any price point.

The second part of the formula is honestly life-changing, but most people don’t think to do it – you have to fix how these clothes fit. Affordable clothes look affordable because they’re made for average bodies in average proportions, and that generic fit is what gives them away.

I take almost everything I buy from Zara to my tailor. I know that sounds extra, but hear me out – spending an additional $30 to alter a $50 piece transforms it completely. That green blazer I mentioned? Off the rack, the sleeves were just slightly too long, creating this bunched effect at the wrists that screamed “I’m not tailored.” One quick alteration later, and suddenly it looks like it was made for my body.

The difference is honestly shocking. I’ve had people stop me on the street to ask where I got pieces that are literally just Zara with proper tailoring. And it’s not just blazers – I’ve had basic white shirts taken in at the shoulders, replaced cheap plastic buttons with nicer ones I ordered online for like $10. Total investment maybe $60 for a shirt that now looks bespoke.

Here’s something most people don’t know – you can actually change how fabrics look and feel. That synthetic leather Zara skirt in my closet? When I first bought it, it had that plastic-y sheen that screams fake. But I did some research (okay, I went down a rabbit hole on leather care forums) and learned you can hand wash faux leather with a tiny amount of hair conditioner to soften it and reduce the shine.

Sounds crazy, I know, but it works. One gentle wash and steam later, and suddenly it moves and looks way more like real leather. I’ve done similar tricks with stiff cotton pieces – a wash with fabric softener and strategic air-drying can completely change the hand-feel of a garment.

For anything with that telltale polyester shine, a light mist with diluted white vinegar dulls the surface just enough to look natural. These aren’t just aesthetic changes – when clothes feel better against your skin, you wear them more confidently, which makes them look more expensive.

But here’s the real secret sauce – it’s all about the mix. Even the most perfectly tailored Zara piece can look cheap if you pair it with other obviously affordable items. This is where fashion editors are absolute masters.

They use one expensive piece to elevate everything else. My Zara blazer looks like designer when I wear it with vintage Levi’s (properly tailored), a simple white tee, and my splurge Manolo mules that I got secondhand. The quality of those shoes creates this halo effect that makes people assume the whole outfit is expensive.

If shoes aren’t your thing, same principle applies to bags, jewelry, or even just really good basics. My friend who works at a magazine pairs Zara dresses with her grandmother’s Cartier watch, and people always assume her whole outfit costs more than it does. One quality piece can completely shift the perception of everything else you’re wearing.

This next tip might sound petty, but it makes a huge difference – remove all the tags and branding. Nothing kills the expensive illusion faster than visible Zara labels or cheap-looking hardware with obvious logos.

I systematically remove every external tag the minute I get home. For pieces with branded buttons or zippers, I either replace them or – if that’s not possible – I dull the logos with the tiniest bit of sandpaper or a drop of clear nail polish. It sounds extreme, but the difference is real.

Also, and this is important – when someone compliments your outfit, don’t immediately volunteer that it’s Zara. I used to do this all the time, like “Thanks! It’s only $49 from Zara!” But that completely destroys the elevated perception you’ve worked to create. Just say thank you and move on.

Timing matters too. Not everything at Zara is worth buying – you have to know what they do well. Their outerwear is consistently good quality for the price. Same with tailored pieces and certain shoes. But their trendy knits? They pill immediately. Super trendy pieces that are obviously copying specific designer looks? They just highlight the quality gap.

This season I’m focusing on their linen suiting, minimal leather accessories, and structured cotton pieces. These are the categories where they’re actually delivering quality that punches above the price point.

What I avoid: anything heavily embellished (cheap sequins look cheap, period), obvious runway copies (the comparison becomes unavoidable), and synthetic fabrics trying to look luxe (polyester that’s pretending to be silk, I’m talking to you).

Here’s something that completely changed my perspective – you have to care for these pieces like they’re designer. Fast fashion looks fast because people treat it as disposable. The minute you start hanging knits instead of folding them, using proper hangers, steaming instead of ironing, washing less frequently – suddenly these pieces last longer and look better.

My $49 Zara shirt with the replaced buttons is four years old and still looks perfect because I treat it like it’s from The Row. Gentle washing, proper storage, immediate attention to any wear signs. Most Zara pieces that people say “wear out quickly” are actually being damaged by careless treatment.

But honestly? The biggest factor is confidence. I’ve tested this repeatedly – the exact same outfit reads completely differently depending on how I carry myself. When I wear my carefully curated Zara pieces while rushing and hunching, zero compliments. When I wear them with my shoulders back, walking deliberately, letting the fabric move as it’s designed to – suddenly everyone assumes they’re expensive.

This isn’t about faking it – it’s about owning your choices. My Zara pieces aren’t placeholders until I can afford “better.” They’re deliberate selections that serve specific purposes, and I wear them with the confidence of someone who chose this piece, not settled for it.

The whole point isn’t to trick people – it’s about maximizing your budget to create a wardrobe that reflects your actual style rather than your financial limitations. These techniques work for any affordable brand, not just Zara.

Next time you’re shopping, think like a fashion editor. Look past the obvious styling, imagine possibilities with strategic alterations, and remember that the most convincing luxury was never about the price tag. It’s about the eye that selected it and the care that maintains it.

Trust me, once you start applying these principles, people will stop asking where you shop and start asking who your stylist is. And honestly? That’s way better than any expensive label.