Ready to shop: RC, Parker & Zara

doubleh

So since being active on here since January I have been SYCing and trying to be creative with what I have. For the most part it's working, but dangit, I am ready to shop! And to try a few new things.

Through all your posts I have been introduced to Ronen Chen, Parker and Zara (I know; so embarassed). Anyway, anyone have any experiences/advice to contribute for these brands? (unfortunately these sites don't seem to have user reviews either.) I've compared my measurements and think I know my size, but it's always helpful to hear others feedback.

I accept that I have to pay shipping both ways for RC. That's ok.

For Parker, I love the Devlin pants, but they are final sale. A bit out of my comfort zone and between sizes. They have my larger size. Is it worth it to try, do you think?

Thanks for any input-as you can see I am a chronic over-analyzer. NEVER play chess with me!

10 years ago

Shopping

10 replies

Latest reply was from doubleh

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I consider myself a mini-expert on Ronen Chen (I have thrifted dozens of his pieces) and also have done a lot of Zara shopping over the years. Zara sizing is sort of unpredictable but I think there is free shipping both ways. What kind of information would be helpful about RC? I will post a dress I wore this weekend.

10 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

On the Devlin pants - they run big. I vote do not try them in the larger size.

10 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I cannot speak about Ronen Chen or Devlin, but Zara is one of my haunts. The quality is mixed, the styles are usually great, and the sizing tends to be on the small side (compared to US brands). I take an XS most places but a S in Zara, so my advice for them would be size up. Also, shipping's free and where I live it is fast and easy, too. (One reason I frequent the store, since there are very few brick and mortar options for me and almost no free shipping/ returns.)
So it doesn't hurt to try a few items. Last spring I went on a huge ordering spree there. I ended up sending all but two items back -- but those two were key trend pieces in my summer wardrobe and very quickly earned their CPW.

10 years ago

doubleh

Veteran

Thank you!

Suz- Zara seems to be the least risky, but some of the pricing just seems to be too good to be true. But the risk to reward quotient is do-able for me.

Angie- darn. I am totally coveting these pants, but lesson learned for waiting too long!

Shevia- I know nothing about Ronen Chen but I LOVE almost everything I've seen on the site. I discovered RC from a post in my first week- perhaps yours? -and pinned like crazy. Basically, I assume you are happy with the quality? And sizing? And your post makes me feel so much better that the aesthetic works for someone similar to my build. If it works out for me I could see this easily being a fallback brand.

10 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

It's just that you can't return them, so I'm worried. If you could return them - I'd have said give it a go. xo

10 years ago

Gigi

Veteran

DoubleH, I am excited for you! If you've been on SYC since January, you are very well prepared to shop. Much better than I was when I started! But I had only about 12 pieces in my wardrobe, so I didn't have much to go on. It was like, "Which of my six white tops do I want to wear with my boring, neutral-colored bottom today?" :^)

Of the three brands you mentioned, I have heard only of Zara, so don't be too embarrassed, ha ha! I haven't tried Zara, but I typed in "Zara" in the forum's search engine, and a lot of threads came up: sizing, quality, shoes, etc. That might be a great place to get some info!

10 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I need to give this some more thought and look through my closet, but I would say the sizes are a bit blurry. I have size 0 that fits and size 2 that fits (the clothes run on what I think is the old French system of sizing). He does a lot of drapey knitted stuff but I can think of two skirts that are more fitted. I do think he is sold in some American stores (I am assuming that is where you are) and I am wondering if you could get a better deal on shipping that way, at least until you get a sense of the sizing. I won't have time today but I will try to look through my stuff tomorrow and show you some examples of sizes.

10 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

doubleh, some of the Zara pricing really IS too good to be true, as in you get the item and realize that the fabrication is all wrong (or just weird) and the quality is poor. On the other hand, I've also had some surprisingly great luck there as well -- items that look far, far more expensive than the actual price and that allow me to experiment with trends or styles I'd never otherwise be able to afford. It helps that I happen to get a good fit there (at least in tops -- I'm less sure about bottoms).

10 years ago

Joyce B

Veteran

Looking great in both and with your beautiful kids.
It looks like it was this year in Jerusalem for you...
We still have one more day to go here.

10 years ago

doubleh

Veteran

Shevia- thanks for looking, but I think I am just going to pull the trigger! I am in the states- VA- and shipping isn't too bad.
It looks like they will accept returns on sale items, so I am going to order two sizes of the skirt I am eyeing. The top I like is only available in one size, so that will settle itself, I guess! I will let you know!

Suz- seems worth a shot! I am looking at flowy type bottoms, so I hope that it will be forgiving enough in fit. Or I will look like the living room drapes. But fingers crossed!

Angie- I know, it kills me. But no returns and the Parkers are higher in my price point, so I should just stay away and stalk the secondary markets with fingers crossed.

Two of three- here's hoping!

Joyce- Shevia does look great! I think you crossed posts, but I bet she will still see your comment.

10 years ago

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