IT’S safe to say Zara has cemented its place at the very top of the high street pecking order.
With more than 61million followers on Instagram and campaigns from superstars like Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Twiggy, the Spanish retailer has truly won over British crowds, with parent company Inditex revealing a net income of €1.4billion in the first quarter of 2026.
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The secret to its success? Speed. With the company’s operations based in Spain, shorter shipping routes have helped Zara get new-season styles from the catwalk to the shop floor at lightning speed compared to rivals who often make their clothes outside of Europe.
And if Inditex – who also own Pull&Bear, Bershka and Stradivarius – didn’t already have enough of the high street covered, it has now brought another of its brands to British shores. Enter Lefties.
Dubbed Zara’s ‘little sister’, Lefties might have just come to the UK high street, but the brand itself is far from new.
Launched in Spain in 1999 as an outlet selling unsold Zara stock, over the years, Lefties has expanded across Europe and now operates in more than 20 markets worldwide, with around 225 stores.
For the past decade, it has moved away from its outlet roots and established itself as a standalone fashion brand, selling its own collections across womenswear, menswear and childrenswear.
Lefties officially launched online in the UK at the end of July, before opening its first physical store at Liverpool ONE on August 27. Two more UK stores are set to open before the end of 2026, at Lakeside in Essex and Metrocentre near Newcastle.
With Lefties said to be a more affordable version of Zara, Fabulous stylist Emily Regan puts it to the test to see whether it has what it takes to carve out a high street crown of its own.
Look 1
Jacket, £22.99, tshirt, £5.99, jeans, £25.99, heels, £22.99
TOTAL: £77.96
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Emily says: “It’s safe to say I’m a bit of a white T-shirt snob. I’ve always found Zara’s white tees to be hit and miss, with them often being see-through.
With Zara basic T-shirts costing anywhere from £9.99 to £17.99, naturally, I was intrigued to see whether Lefties could impress me with its £5.99 version.
The T-shirt was completely opaque and sat in a flattering spot, without being too long or overly baggy.
I was also pleased to see it’s made from 95 per cent cotton, making that price tag even more impressive. When it came to the jeans, however, I was less convinced by the fit.
With Zara, I struggle to find jeans because the leg length is far too long for me at 5’1.
Lefties is no different, and the brand doesn’t offer a petite collection. That said, I was impressed with the quality.
One of the biggest surprises was this wool-blend jacket, perfect for the tricky transition into autumn.
I’ve seen countless versions of this style on the Zara shop floor, and at first glance, I’d have been convinced it was from Zara itself.
The texture feels like a really premium quality that could last beyond one season. As for the heels, they look slightly cheaper than Zara’s, but won me over on comfort.
These are some of the most comfortable slingbacks I’ve tried, making them a real high-street steal.”
Look 2
Top, £15.99, skirt, £17.99, bag, £22.99, sandals, £9.99
TOTAL: £66.96
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Emily says: “After trying on the jeans, I was worried the skirt might be too long, but thankfully it sits at the perfect length.
It also has an adjustable waist, ideal for getting a comfortable fit.
I have a slightly bigger bust, and I was concerned there wouldn’t be much give in the fabric, as I’ve found with a lot of Zara pieces.
To keep things fair, I stuck with my usual size and was impressed with the fit.
It had plenty of stretch, so it didn’t feel tight across my chest, while the elasticated sleeves and peplum kept their shape nicely.
The fabric itself didn’t feel particularly high quality, but it wasn’t see-through. The basket bag was a little smaller than expected, but the quality was really good.
But the real bargain for me had to be the sandals. I couldn’t believe these were just £9.99, especially when Zara has a similar pair for £39.99.
They were very comfortable and easy to get on and off. I’ll definitely be keeping them for next summer.”
Look 3
Jacket, £39.99, blouse, £15.99, jorts, £17.99, shoes, £22.99
TOTAL: £99.96
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Emily says: “I’m a sucker for a good faux-leather jacket; finding an affordable option that doesn’t look cheap can be tricky.
It’s one of those pieces I’d usually spend a little more on to get that premium finish.
I was pleasantly surprised when I first pulled this one out of the box. The attention to detail in the design is seriously impressive.
Crossover lapels, an oversized silhouette and a funnel neck all tick the boxes.
Zara currently has an almost identical style for £69.99, and at half the price, this is a brilliant alternative. I’d be hard-pressed to spot many differences between the two.
The white blouse was less of a hit for me. It looked great in the online pictures, but in real life the fabric felt flimsy.
While it wasn’t see-through, it was thin. Much like the jeans, I had an issue with the length of the jorts.
They were too long for my petite frame, although the quality was definitely there. I particularly liked the adjustable belt detail to cinch them in at the waist for a more flattering fit.
The sizing of the shoes also seemed inconsistent, as these ballet pumps felt snug. If you’re shopping online, I’d recommend sizing up.”
Look 4
Jumper, £15.99, trousers, £17.99, loafers, £22.99
TOTAL: £99.96
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Emily says: “Argyle is a great way to introduce print into your everyday wardrobe.
This short-sleeve style is ideal for transitional weather.
It’s lightweight and feels like the kind of piece you’ll be reaching for time and time again. It doesn’t feel flimsy or overly delicate like some of the cheaper high-street options can.
I’m a big fan of a wide-leg trouser, but again, these were just a little too long on me.
The adjustable waistband is great, making them a practical choice for office days when you want to look polished while still feeling comfortable.
The fabric has a nice weight to it and doesn’t feel overly thin, which can sometimes be an issue with more affordable tailoring.
The loafers were easily my favourite of the shoes. My old pair have finally reached the end of their life, so these will definitely be taking their place.
They feel sturdy rather than flimsy and are really soft on the inside.
Proving Lefties could give some of the other budget high-street favourites a serious run for their money.”
VERDICT
Emily says: “After putting Lefties through its paces, it’s fair to say that on the whole it’s won me over.
The biggest surprise to me was quality; yes, the prices are significantly lower compared to Zara, but I’d say on the most part, there isn’t a compromise in quality.
From surprisingly premium jackets to seriously good-value shoes, there are plenty of pieces I’d definitely add to my wardrobe.
Although Lefties does have a few trend-led pieces, I’d say its real strength lies in its everyday basics. If you’re after something particularly fashion-forward, Zara still has more trend-led pieces on offer.
Lefties wasn’t without its flaws, though, with a few pieces not quite fitting right, particularly on my petite frame, but overall I was genuinely impressed.”