I haven't bought anything at either H&M or Zara in YEARS- probably since I was in university. When I moved to the UK Topshop inevitably replaced them as my fast fashion fix, but even it didn't hold my attention for long. I will try to check them out this week, though- maybe it's time I get back in the saddle

My H&M is also unorganized and hard to navigate. I like to only go in if I am looking for something specific I may check out that bag though!

My darling significant other gave me a gorgeous ponte moto jacket from T Tahari for Valentine's Day http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....erralID=NA that was unfortunately too big in all ways including the shoulders. Major disappointment! It was an XS, so no possibility of sizing down.

Anyway, we returned it and happened to stop in to Zara (first time I've been there!) to see if we could find something to replace it. I found a very cute and cheeky cropped pleather jacket.

Here's the (wryly) amusing part -- it was *so* cheeky that I had to go up to a Medium to get one that I could button. So I returned the too-big XS for the just-right M.

Wow, April, if you took an M what hope do the rest of us have of fitting in that jacket!

Zara's sizing is confusing and I often have trouble deciding which size to get. My puffer is an S and VERY fitted. I thought it might be too tight, but going up to an M made it a little too puffy. I figured with something that is THAT voluminous I'm better off getting the snuggest fit I can comfortably wear.

Here's the Zara jacket:

Open: http://i649.photobucket.com/al.....G_0562.jpg

http://i649.photobucket.com/al.....G_0560.jpg

Closed: http://i649.photobucket.com/al.....G_0559.jpg

I hope you don't hate me for saying this April, but I think an S might have been better. I don't think this is the type of jacket that is meant to button. It looks like it is meant to be left open. In the second picture, where your arm is by your side, it looks like the shoulder seam might be a bit droopy.

Perhaps someone will correct me on this and you can ignore me.

Oh, Maya -- you could be right. I don't have the greatest track record for knowing when things fit correctly. I thought that when the small was straining its buttons, it was not the right size.

Angie, or anyone with cheeky-jacket-expertise, please weigh in before I remove the tags!

Our Zara is fairly large, of course if you visited the Manhattan store we visited last year, that one was indeed larger. So give me some hints and maybe I need to dig a little more. I love all things Spanish (cheese, wine, olive oil, sweets, almonds, music, do I need to go on?).

That's what I meant, Angie - I always wear 4 in BR tops, and 8 in H&M. I meant the numbers are bigger
I'll be in Manhattan in the end of March, and I am definitely going to Zara there. I am very excited about it!

Oh Marianne! Will you have time for a cup of tea?!

Quite a coincidence, I was at H&M on Monday and I think I bought the bag Angie is referring too (in a greyish cream colour).

Is this the one Angie?
http://i278.photobucket.com/al...../Hmbag.jpg
(password: fabfactor)

I also bought a bright blue (a bit lighter than true cobalt) moto style jacket with some quilted detailing at the shoulders, can't find a picture online though.

They really had some great merchandise at the moment. I agree that their quality isn't always the best, but many items looked quite decent.

I didn't see too many dresses in that particular shop, and the ones there were all quite short.

They also had some fab cascading cardigans (light grey, black, cobalt, a mint green, coral, jade green and fuchsia).

I love Zara (and Mango) too, Massimo Dutti usually has a few gorgeous items each season as well (often beautiful leather jackets). Last year I scored two cute blazers and one jacket in the Zara Winter sale, e.g.

In my experience sizing in all three stores runs on the small side, especially for bottoms. These just never fit me, the cut is never quite right, pity. But as someone already pointed out: there are still plenty of voluminous tops out there, and I've had better luck with those.

H&M sizing is all over the place. I usually end up lugging about three sizes of everything I want to try on into the fitting rooms (which is a pain because over here you are only allowed to have 5 or 6 items at one time in the fitting room).
(and Rute: the shops can be pretty messy over here too, and I just don't have the patience to go rummaging through heaps of clothing;-)

I think I need to go have a squizz at Zara and Mango this week!-)

Yes, Maya, that would be awesome! I'll be with the family so my schedule will be somewhat limited, but I'll try to make time for it for sure. I'll PM you the details after I figure out where we're staying etc.

April: fab, fab jacket!!! I'm not very good judging sizing unfortunately, but I like the way this looks on you. Maya might be right that you could probably fit into a smaller size, but I'd also consider layering possibilities. I think you're only wearing a t-shirt type top underneath here, how does it look and feel over a sweater, or a button-down shirt or a dress?

I find H&M sizing very consistent actually. Once you figure what your size is in that store, you can buy anything without even trying on.

Ah! Thanks, Marianne. We are on the same page :0). Go to the Zara on 6th and 41st in NYC. It's big and fabulous. The one on Lexington is fab too. The one of 5th Ave is not so fab, so give it a miss.

Laura, there were so many voluminous tunics, striped tops and knit blazers that made me think of you. In fact, there is a knit jailbird stripe blazer with your name on it.

Inge, that's not the bag but it's very similar! The one I tweeted about has a horizontal zipper running across the bottom. Fab new bag, though!

Laura, I think we need to hit the Zara together; I have never had any luck finding anything there, mainly because I hate the layout of the store so much! They put everything in random box displays against the walls and leave the huge open areas in the middle empty, and it's so dark in there the clothes all look dark and the same to me.

Of course, I may be bitter because it's the old Forth & Towne space, and that makes me long for that pretty, lighted store again.

I did hit H&M up north today and did pretty well. Got a nice chunky grey long open cardigan and a cute studded brown crossbody. I'm trying to put together some casual outfits for my birthday weekend downtown next month, and these will both be perfect.

Actually Angie, I saw that blazer and stopped dead in my tracks -- cream with thin navy stripes? LOL! Meanwhile, I saw an Angie dress in a beautiful silver grey ponte knit with a sheen. It's calling your name!

As for the tunics, I'll need to take a second squizz with Kristen if she can get over the Forth & Towne resentment factor I don't mind the layout -- it enables you to skip entire sections if they feature, for example, loads of beige.

Angie, what about for us over-50's? We don't have a Zara's where I am but we do have an H&M. I've never been in it, but I was under the impression that they targeted a younger clientele.

I might have to venture downtown this week to check out H&M, then. I so wish that we had a Zara in Washington state! Any Seattle YLF-ers want to make a day shopping trip to Vancouver sometime after the Olympics are over?

Thank you for the info, Angie! This would probably be my only shopping destination. I might have to send the rest of the family to see the Statue of Liberty to make time for that.
Kari, we were discussing a Vancouver shopping trip last year, but it never materialized. There was a lot of interest though. I personally would love to do it, but it's really really hard for me to schedule an entire day.
Soooo I popped into H&M today, although I only had a few minutes. I saw the purple dress, but they didn't have my size. It looks lovely, the length is sort of borderline. I saw the zippered bag too and really liked the taupe version. A few other shirt dresses and tunics, and a lot of ruched shoulders!

I managed to hit both Zara, H&M & Club Monaco while I was out of town last week! My time was fairly limited (shopping with two kids is no fun!) but nothing really caught my eye. I did manage to buy a cute necklace at H&M but that was it. I agree with the others as far as the mess factor. I find it hard to navigate for that reason (reminds me of F21). I have a very difficult time with sizing at both ZARA & H&M - it's not really cut for petites obviously - by the time I size up for my bust and/or tummy, it's huge everywhere else.