Steal: Zara Blouse With Pleated Shoulders $49.90

Recently I took a nice long stroll through my local Zara store. Zara at San Francisco Center, to be exact. It had been awhile since I'd braved the low-cost fashion emporium, and my expectations weren't all that high. But, I was pleasantly surprised by the number of items I found that I truly wanted to have in my closet. This top is just one of those finds.

This Zara Blouse With Pleated Shoulders is actually way more interesting in person than it is in the website pictures. It's a slightly boxy blouse that is quite plain, with the exception of the pleated shoulder detail. The shape reminds me of Marc by Marc Jacobs in its odd simplicity. But, what makes it really interesting is the fabric, which is so hard to get from the photos. It's a kind of hefty polyester reminiscent of those really fun, vintage-inspired Karta dresses that were all the rage a few years ago. It's the kind of fabric that makes a piece of clothing, and makes it look way more expensive than it really is.

I don't particularly like how this top is styled here. I'd pair this fun blouse with a simple skirt -- a-line or pencil -- for a modern vintage look. Or, try it with slouchy jeans for a look that is perfectly mismatched. The stark white version is my favorite, although I acknowledge it would be a pain to keep pristine. The bright yellow and red versions are nice backups that play right into the Spring bright color trend.

→ Buy the Zara Blouse With Pleated Shoulders, $49.90, at zara.com.