With so much fashion existing online, there’s something refreshing about trying pieces on in-store after eyeing them first on a little screen. Enter Just Browsing: We’re taking you into the fitting room as we preview the newest collections from some of our favorite high-street brands and contemporary labels. We’ll get into fabric and quality, fit and feel, and so much more as we make our way through the shop floor. Happy scrolling (and strolling)!
Massimo Dutti’s stateside presence has never felt more pressing, or relevant, than right now. The cooler, slightly more bohemian sister to the retail giant, Zara, has in recent seasons embraced a wholly new design direction that is at once elevated and timeless yet completely on-trend. Its maintained an emphasis on tailoring and suede—all done in exceptional quality—but it’s also folded in a strong fashion point of view in its offerings.
Before visiting its newly-opened Miami flagship this spring, I’d gotten used to shopping Massimo Dutti on the Zara app, where it’s remarkably easy to scroll through the different brands and check out with one single cart. But seeing, and trying on, clothes you’re eyeing in store is unmatched, so when I attended Paris Fashion Week in February, I made it a mission to pop into its Champs-Elysées flagship. It was alive with energy.
The Massimo Dutti boutique in Miami was noticeably airy and calm in contrast. Located on the upper floor of the Aventura Mall, earthy tones and natural touches gave the space an inviting, tranquil aura. The clothes were beautifully merchandised into capsule collections, which it made it easy to envision how to style the pieces together. I could take two or three things off the rack and create a full look—it’s a straightforward proposition that appeals no matter your level of confidence in crafting a look.
What I also loved about all the pieces I tried on was how easily everything mixed and matched. If you’re thinking about wardrobe longevity and investing in clothings that are a step up in quality, that sense of ease and versatility is exactly what you want. The hands-on service was equally impressive—and affirmed why I wanted to shop there in-person in the first place. Everyone on the shop floor was incredibly knowledgable about the pieces on display, and their attention to detail elevated the overall experience. As for what I loved most from the summer collection? Let’s get into it.
Summer Knits
The knit pieces were absolutely effortless. The dresses felt very easy on—they had languid movement, and the silhouettes skimmed the body with a nonchalant ease that epitomizes the spirit of summer dressing. Many of the season’s top collections leaned into texture and craft, which as a year-round minimalist, brings a feeling of preciousness I resonate with and can easily layer into my own wardrobe. The craftsmanship is on full display in these knits pieces, my favorite of which was the cream fringe dress—it’s so playful but doesn’t take me out of my comfort zone. I found the knits to all be blank canvases for accessorizing—I could pair any with an artful pendant or my signature stack of silver cuffs and it would look great.
Standout Suedes
Massimo is known for its suedes—the brand’s heritage is rooted in men’s leatherwork, and the prices reflect the high quality. I’d been interested in trying its suedes since last summer (already a favorite on the Vogue Shopping team) and loved these burgundy pieces. The color is so beautifully rich, and both the skirt and cropped jacket felt like year-round essentials I could style with a white T-shirt instead of a knit tank; or jeans instead of flowing trousers. The skirt has a gentle A-line silhouette to it that’s not too voluminous, nor too slinky—and like the knit dresses from earlier, they share the carefree fluidity on.
Photo: Lisa Aiken
Exceptional Tailoring
I think it’s going to be a Bermuda short summer for me! I’m normally a skirt girl in the warm weather—I only have one pair of shorts in my wardrobe—but I just loved how these Bermudas looked with a heeled thong sandal and easy white tee. I have a lot of blazers in my wardrobe, so anything I’m buying new in the jacket space needs to be something that feels refreshing. This softer shape, with its ’80s-inspired tailoring, felt precisely that. Apart from the shoulders, it’s an unstructured linen jacket with higher-cut lapels and two rows of three buttons. Again, it has that same easy movement I love.
Fluid Fabrics
I’ll admit I probably wouldn’t have picked these pants up off the rack, but I’d just seen the video of its spring/summer runway, and they moved so beautifully—I was mesmerized by them. They have this unexpected slit that you only see as you walk, and the silhouette feels equally sculptural and high-fashion. I wanted to emphasize in the fluidity here with a similarly unstructured topper, so I paired it with a suede kimono-style jacket, white tee, and heeled sandal. That said, I already have visions of myself wearing these pants at the beach with flip-flops and a little bikini.
Accessories Spotlight
There was a dedicated accessories wall in the window, which it was by far my favorite space in the whole store. There were raffia, suede, and woven leather styles all neatly lined up for you to cherry-pick your favorites. Each style felt of the moment—there was an East-West shape, a big, square boxy tote, a tiny pouch—and none of the bags were branded, which I appreciated as I’m not a big logo wearer, and find that it really lets the design and craftsmanship shine. The braided pouch was simply perfect, and the roomy tote felt like a super refined everyday bag. The colors were all minimalist-friendly, too—the deep chocolate browns would easily complement in anything my wardrobe.
Shop more just-in from Massimo Dutti