https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-zara Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 07 Apr 2026 07:17:22 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-zara/page/2#post-2274445 Thu, 28 Jul 2022 14:38:20 +0000 Anonymous 2274445@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’m with Jenn and N. &nbsp;Zara’s on my no-fly list. &nbsp;Just my 2 cents. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-zara/page/2#post-2274411 Thu, 28 Jul 2022 11:41:01 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2274411@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’m so glad this thread was resurfaced! I am still daring myself to try a crop top with my low (for me)-cut fancy pants. Yesterday I saw one as I passed by Zara, so I went to check it out. I generally avoid Zara as fast fashion, but I was thinking of how you and other fabbers have done well there, and some of Kkards comments about what really is and isn’t sustainable. Anyway, I picked up the shirt, and it did not feel good in my hands. It just felt cheap. I can’t even explain how—probably the material, but I didn’t even check the tag. So I appreciate the explanation of what stuff to look at there—always sort by price in descending order </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-zara/page/2#post-2274397 Thu, 28 Jul 2022 11:22:57 +0000 Anonymous 2274397@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm not familiar with Zara, but definitely don't like the fast fashion model as a rule. Those pieces definitely fit your style though, and don't look like they'd date, so that's different than just buying a bunch of random trends. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-zara/page/2#post-2274373 Thu, 28 Jul 2022 09:21:25 +0000 Jessikams 2274373@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I get into trends because clothes were SO boring for so long. All classic stuff in neutral colors. But now, fashion is getting more and more interesting every year— more exaggerated, more diverse, more technologically advanced, new fabrics, global influences, etc. And I have more disposable income now than I did as a youth. So your example with the boots really resonates with me: I may have bought boots when they first came out with thick soles, because I thought “finally! Some fun boots! “. But this year I see boots with soles that are even thicker, and PINK too, and waterproof, and I think “yessssss take my money.” So in a way I’m just following the thread of my professional interest in design/architecture, into fashion. It’s a hobby, rather than “falling victim to trends.” Because I don’t really care about how it makes me look, it’s more that I’m intrigued by objects that reflect or provoke some inner landscape or imagined fantasy (like your wool leggings perhaps?). I suspect you might be similar—- you seem to have a very clear vision of what you’re into. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-zara/page/2#post-2274370 Thu, 28 Jul 2022 08:17:23 +0000 YKK 2274370@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If you like Zara I'd say shop there you seem to know what you're doing with it. I've never cared about trends much unless one happened to catch my eye, other than that I often don't even know they exist. Of course I'm an eccentric so that's easy for me to say and do. Others not so much. If you really enjoy keeping up with this stuff and Zara is a way to do that I'd say go for it , it sounds like it has a clear appeal to you on some level, you shouldn't miss out on that.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-zara/page/2#post-2216232 Sat, 14 Aug 2021 22:13:56 +0000 Sloper 2216232@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Greyscale - apologies for going off topic a bit. Your Doc Martens reminiscence just made me flash back on the “it” boots of MY day - Frye Campus boots. &nbsp;Got my pair before heading off to college. &nbsp;Thanks Mom. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-zara/page/2#post-2216226 Sat, 14 Aug 2021 21:41:50 +0000 Jenni NZ 2216226@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have been in 2 Zara stores. The first was in Melbourne in 2015 before we had a Zara here. I bought one top I still have but have only worn 27 times in 6 years because the sleeves are really drapy and thus impractical. I cannot wear it either to work or if I’m cooking.<br /> And a few years after that we got a store here which I went into and then out of! Overwhelming.<br /> I think Jenn’s numbers put me off ever trying again. We humans consume so much it’s crazy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-zara/page/2#post-2216152 Sat, 14 Aug 2021 18:11:31 +0000 Angie 2216152@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Jenn</b>, thank you. That's good info.&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Brooklyn</b>, I am sooo with you about feeling so awfully conflicted about Zara. As you astutely put, they DID help democratize fashion. I wish they were more size inclusive too.&nbsp;</p> <p><b>FashIntern</b>, I went back to support Zara precisely because I also read in numerous articles how they were producing more sustainably.&nbsp;</p> <p>Yes, some of the stores can be a HECTIC mess. Others are better. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-zara/page/2#post-2216116 Sat, 14 Aug 2021 16:19:36 +0000 Anonymous 2216116@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'll never forget my first visit to a bricks -and-mortar Zara. Maybe Sherway Gardens in Toronto? &nbsp; It was an absolute trash heap with clothes dumped everywhere except for the few racks at the front of the store merchandised with the newest collections . &nbsp;Line-ups , people everywhere, ugh. It makes me cringe just thinking about it. The store in no way represented what the online images promised - at least to my innocent eye. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-zara/page/2#post-2216089 Sat, 14 Aug 2021 15:37:38 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2216089@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Zara is such a conundrum! At first I avoided it as a fast fashion/trendy kind of place, but then I began to see article about their sustainability efforts. I wanted to support that, so I stopped to check them out. I just did not feel right there. Can’t explain why. Love the sarong shorts and Suz’s oxfords, but couldn’t figure out where to begin. Currently, admission to stores is limited, and there is always a line at Zara. Not that it matters—I can’t think of anything I need anyway. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-zara/page/2#post-2215811 Fri, 13 Aug 2021 15:36:00 +0000 nemosmom 2215811@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>ooof those numbers are staggering.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-zara/page/2#post-2215669 Thu, 12 Aug 2021 22:22:36 +0000 missvee 2215669@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don’t bother to check it anymore. &nbsp;Our local store is generally packed with shoppers with long lines for the fitting rooms. &nbsp;And as others have said, shopping online is a roll of the dice, with sizing and quality so variable.<br />However, when the quality *is* good, it can be very good. &nbsp;I still have 2 items in my closet from maybe 5 years ago - a cotton summer dress that looks new after many washings, and a polyester blouse that I use mainly for travel since it washes and dries so easily.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-zara/page/2#post-2215668 Thu, 12 Aug 2021 22:12:49 +0000 Suz 2215668@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've had a complicated relationship with Zara, too. I was nodding along with <b>Brooklyn</b>. <i>"Their high turnover business model is out of keeping with sustainability goals, quality is variable, size inclusivity sucks, sizing is inconsistent, stores are hectic."</p> <p></i>And yet -- I can usually get a good fit there for at least some types of item (jackets and tops, in particular), and I can't in places like COS or really many others, even at a higher price point, these days. J. Crew used to be reliable for me for certain essentials (even if overall the vibe is preppier than I'd like) but they've closed their Canadian stores and returns are prohibitive.&nbsp;<br /><i><br /></i>I've also had some real workhorses and/or long-lasting items from Zara.The top 3 Finds are still in my wardrobe.&nbsp; I have the sarong short that <b>Janet </b>also owns. I don't see myself getting rid of that short--- well -- <b>ever!</b>&nbsp;It's unusual enough that it just does not date. The two tees&nbsp; are also years old and still going strong -- among my faves ever!&nbsp;<br /><i><br /></i>The linen camp shirt and culottes were one season wonders, but when you consider how many wears they got -- at least 30 for the pants -- that's not so bad, really.&nbsp; Everything else pictured here lasted me 2-5 years. With a lot of wear. Several items were passed down to my stepdaughter before they wore out.&nbsp;<i></i> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-zara/page/2#post-2215522 Thu, 12 Aug 2021 09:30:16 +0000 N 2215522@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jenn, completely agree. Its pure green washing. Nothing that scale can be sustainable. If they really wanted to be sustainable they'd release two collections a year or limited number good quality clothing. They just want you to think they care...when reality is very different. I swore off fast fashion when I was in my early 20s. Tried a lot of more ethical clothing lines but they just don't fit my body type very well. I am tall and more editorial pieces look better on me. I've come to the conclusion I just need to stay away from fast fashion and try go for good quality pieces from wherever (but pick the most sustainable I can when given the choice) and hopefully i'll have a wardrobe I lobe, suits me and I feel fab in! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-zara/page/2#post-2215518 Thu, 12 Aug 2021 09:19:53 +0000 Brooklyn 2215518@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Docs would be the perfect 18th birthday gift for you! You obviously had a strong sense of your style at an early age. My mum would have felt the same way about them as your grandmother (she still offers to fix the fraying on that Zara jacket).</p> <p>Yes, K-Mart is a budget retailer here. Maybe pitching a bit lower than our version of Target. Those retailers were around here in the 90s but not offering the sort of aesthetic that Zara offers. I think of those retailers (and many other chain stores here) as much cheaper than Zara. But it is always Zara that cops the criticism for fast fashion. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-zara/page/2#post-2215508 Thu, 12 Aug 2021 06:34:07 +0000 Greyscale 2215508@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Brooklyn, sounds like we're the same age -- in high school I really wanted the Dr Martens look but it seemed wrong to spend that much on shoes, if I'd even known where to find them. So I bought cheap combat boots at the Army Navy store. They smelled like burning tires and the lug sole slowly fell off in chunks. But, they lasted long enough to mark me as the grunge person in my tiny rural high school, so it was worth it! I wore them with vintage German army pants from the same store, overdyed purple.</p> <p>When I got to college in a big city and encountered the wider world, I asked for Dr Martens for my 18th birthday. By then (mid 90s) they were mainstream enough that Nordstrom carried them. In fact, the first trip I ever made to Nordstrom (incredibly upscale from my view) was with my mother and my 86-yr-old grandmother to buy an expensive pair of steel toe Dr Martens. My grandmother was far from conventional but she was aghast that I'd wear something so ugly! I wore those boots almost every day of college and kept them at least 10 years, until the soles wore unevenly so my knees hurt when I wore them.</p> <p>Anyway, that's a good point about democratizing fashion. I remember some trendy knock-offs at places like K-mart back in the day but they always looked like pale imitations. [Incidentally, I think K-mart still exists in Australia? But is more mid-range there, like Target? I believe it was always distinct from the now-defunct US K-mart, which was more down-market. I discovered all this when searching for emergency replacement socks on my one trip to Australia.] </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-zara/page/2#post-2215503 Thu, 12 Aug 2021 04:47:34 +0000 Brooklyn 2215503@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My feelings about Zara are mixed too.</p> <p>Their high turnover business model is out of keeping with sustainability goals, quality is variable, size inclusivity sucks, sizing is inconsistent, stores are hectic.</p> <p>But, in their defence, I think that they’ve helped to democratise fashion (along with similar big retailers like H&amp;M, ASOS). When I was at university in the 90s, the biggest trend at the time was to wear floral maxi dresses and stompy boots. I loved it. All of my (richer) friends were wearing it. Both the dresses (Laura Ashley) and the boots (Docs) were well out of my reach in terms of price. And there was no affordable competition. It may seem silly now but I felt sad and excluded because I couldn’t wear what my peers were wearing. Now, if that look were trending, I could pick it up for an affordable price at Zara or a similar store. </p> <p>I do shop at Zara on occasion. I’m looking for interesting items that will last. I think it is possible to find them. I have had some good luck with jackets, jeans and cotton knits. Bad luck with anything viscose (shrinks) or cashmere (pilling). I have one Zara jacket that is 5+ years old and still going strong.</p> <p>I hope they adjust their business model to a more sustainable one (there’s every chance that will happen, more and more retailers are going that way). </p> <p>(And thanks for the kind words Bijou.) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-zara/page/2#post-2215455 Wed, 11 Aug 2021 23:16:11 +0000 Jonesy 2215455@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I appreciate those numbers, Jenn, yikes! Staggering, really.<br />&nbsp;<br />I have bought a few things from them in years past (e.g., a leather crossbody bag that I still use), but nothing in the last five years. Their website fries my brain, so that's a complete turn-off (and I know it's not just an age thing, because my 19 year old said "Zara has the worst online retail interface ever" or something like that, recently :), and the sheer magnitude of their output is another turn-off for me personally. That sort of volume and scale is beyond merely "fast fashion," IYKWIM. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-zara/page/2#post-2215443 Wed, 11 Aug 2021 22:44:00 +0000 bj1111 2215443@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It’s interesting about cos and fit. fit models are narrower and way taller than me. I shop “minis” to get something at the knee. Only a-lines. Or nipped waist. Or oversized. Then I love it. It’s good for my wallet and my ego to be able to be visually “blind” to things that I know won’t fit </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-zara#post-2215430 Wed, 11 Aug 2021 22:10:53 +0000 Greyscale 2215430@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So many wise comments...&nbsp;</p> <p>And yes, I agree with you all that the store and website experiences are chaotic and unpleasant. I avoid the store. Sometimes I go in to return an online order and start feeling a panicked need to browse everything! So I leave as soon as I can before it seeps into my brain.</p> <p>There are a few brands whose webpages I check regularly for new arrivals. But I would never be able to do that for Zara. Every few months I look at the site, filter the new arrivals on "black" and sometimes "wool", and see if anything interesting comes up. And forget stalking items until they're on sale - either I buy it right then or it's gone forever. That's actually sort of freeing.</p> <p>Jenn, those are really important points, and wow, that is an unbelievable number of new items. Yikes. The scale of human consumption is just mind boggling.&nbsp;</p> <p>In terms of other options -- for me, Zara fits well in general. COS, which I want to love, rarely fits me (longer and narrower than me). I've become a fan of &amp; Other Stories this year. But those are both online only for me, and hard to get the sizing right. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-zara#post-2215423 Wed, 11 Aug 2021 21:40:30 +0000 Anonymous 2215423@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've never been in a Zara, but their website looked pretty chaotic- nah...500 designs a week though? Is that really necessary?? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-zara#post-2215422 Wed, 11 Aug 2021 21:38:49 +0000 LaPed 2215422@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for the numbers, Jenn. I had no concept of the scale, but it explains why my gut reaction to Zara has always been "too overwhelming to even bother". Wow.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-zara#post-2215410 Wed, 11 Aug 2021 21:04:22 +0000 rachylou 2215410@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I say, what? 500 designs a week?! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-zara#post-2215408 Wed, 11 Aug 2021 20:58:10 +0000 Jenn 2215408@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm going to be a spanner and say that I don't think it's possible to sift through Zara's offerings and come out with only gems. &nbsp;They release 500 new designs a week and produce 450 million garments a year. That is never, ever going to be sustainable and their entire business model is predicated on stimulating that part of your brain that goes "new new new" and "want want want."</p> <p>I have no doubt that you and others have sometimes found great, long-lasting stuff at Zara (I mean, with 20,000 styles being released a year, there are bound to be some winners), but I really think it's all SO tainted by the fast fashion business model the gems are always going to be coated in muck. That's too many garments, designed and manufactured too quickly, and sold at too low a price (and with the owners taking huge amounts of profit). There's no way all that is possible without corners constantly being cut.</p> <p>I know that sounds harsh, and really, there are no perfect choices when it comes to getting dressed with the global fashion industry we have, but in the case of Zara, I think it's worth looking at the business model as a whole over any individual garment. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-zara#post-2215400 Wed, 11 Aug 2021 19:21:11 +0000 Helena 2215400@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm with you on Zara ... there are some gems there, as long as you are particular up front (same with H&amp;M in my experience) ... so I'm glad you won't give up on it! My favourite Zara purchase is my thin navy puffer, which is on year 3 I believe, has been worn to death and it still as good as new. My daughter has gotten some gems there too!</p> <p>It's interesting your comment about chasing trends with the pandemic, because you're not as exposed to what regular people are wearing - I feel the same! I'm getting fed up with "Instagram" style; I just want to know what the neighbours are wearing so I can calibrate a normal comparison/framework for where I'm at! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-zara#post-2215395 Wed, 11 Aug 2021 16:36:59 +0000 Angie 2215395@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm nodding along with your thoughts, <b>Greyscale.</b> </p> <p>Zara, as odd as it may sound - and H&amp;M for that matter - produce more sustainably and ethically than you expect....when you dig deeper into that area, it's astounding. Also, around 76% of the ENTIRE Zara work force is female, and I love that part.<br /><b><br /></b>I buy something from Zara every year or two, and seem to have a very good run. Their items generally fit me well, and the quality is great IF YOU ARE DISCERNING UPFRONT. There is a lot of shoddy stuff too. These Zara items from my wardrobe are between one and six years old. All in great condition. The knitted pullover is 4 years old - and NO PILLING :)</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-zara#post-2215394 Wed, 11 Aug 2021 16:34:41 +0000 JAileen 2215394@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’ve never been to a Zara store or ordered anything from them. I know they are around (Roseville, CA), and walked past one while visiting our son (Istaklal in Istanbul). &nbsp;I guess I would say the same with anything: &nbsp;leave no stone unturned, but be picky and don’t give in to low quality. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-zara#post-2215393 Wed, 11 Aug 2021 16:26:21 +0000 kellygirl 2215393@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What Bijou said! I love looking at them for inspiration but that's pretty much it.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-zara#post-2215388 Wed, 11 Aug 2021 15:24:04 +0000 cat2 2215388@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think you hit on something that isn’t just Zara about less expensive retailers. I have found that a lot of inexpensive labels can do decent quality woven pieces: jeans, cargos, basic white shirts. Where they fail is with T shirts and sweaters, where they use such inexpensive fabric that the items immediately shrink or pill. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-zara#post-2215386 Wed, 11 Aug 2021 14:38:14 +0000 nemosmom 2215386@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>Oh, Zara gets me every time with their beautiful marketing campaigns!!&nbsp; Especially around the holidays. *heart eyes*&nbsp; I have had great luck with their jackets and occasional wear (I think I still have a few scarves from Zara, too), but their basic pieces lack longevity in my closet for a variety of reasons.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Your collection of Zara pieces does not strike me as overly trendy at all.&nbsp; If they have pieces that work for you, there is no reason to write them off!<br /></div> </p>