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Zara appeal question

anchie

Veteran

I am so bored with my wardrobe at the moment and I wanted to add some more trendy and colorful piece to my wardrobe. Reading all your positive comments about Zara I decided to give it a try. But I was appalled by the poor fit, low quality and cheap materials. But maybe it is not so important fro the trendy item that will last only a season? I tried to convince my self, but at the end, left empty handed. I did not feel fab in this clothes, I felt cheap and like trying too hard. Maybe I just don't understand the appeal. What do you look for in trendy clothes? Is it enough that it is fun and cheap or do you also look for quality and good fit? Or maybe this is mutually exclusive?

Shopping

29 replies

Latest reply was from rae

Anonymous

Umm, I am not sure if I agree with you on the overall quality of Zara's clothing or the fit.

I know their sizes run small, that does not really bother me, however. I have bought 2 items there recently, and I'm pleased with both so far. I don't expect for either one to last me a lifetime. I guess I just wanted to infused some current trends into my more classic wardrobe. Both pieces fit me great and I would not have bought them otherwise.

As far as quality, I think you get what you pay for. Also, Zara Women, as opposed to the other Zara lines, appears to be of better construction and quality.

I am not a frequent Zara shopper, but the store currently has some decent offerings. I found the blazers and blouses acceptable by my standards.

Meredith1953

Veteran

I haven't purchased from them but I do look at their website and I see lots of cute things. Regarding your question about trendy and does it need to be good quality. Well for me it really depends on what the item and trend is. If it is a major piece like pants, skirt, dress, coat, blazer , shoes (you get the idea) then reasonably well made and flattering lines is more important then the trendy factor. For small pieces, scarves, clutches, necklaces or earrings or rings (I'm thinking of things that don't need to be "fitted") then the trendy item can add a little dose of excitement. The only thing I really purchase with a trend in mind is a scarf. When I think of "trendy" I think of a lot of things like a trendy color, trendy cut, trendy way of combining items. Decent quality and flattering fit is still most important for me.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

What Zap, said.

I LOVE Zara and have been shopping there for many, many years - and will continue to do so. Although I am very fussy about quality and fit, they absolutely hold my interest. Their stuff is fashion forward and their dressy area very sophisticated. I adore that combination at a price.

Their quality is inconsistent at best. I have Zara pieces in my wardrobe that are 8 years old and still going strong. I've had stuff that lasted a season. This is my expectation so I am fine with it. They are not supposed to be a high quality store - in fact, they are borderline budget.

Granted, I never buy knits or knitwear at Zara. Only woven pieces and occasionally shoes. Their fit is narrow and runs small most of the time, so you might need to size up.

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

Their stock changes all the time. Even if it doesn't appeal to you now, it is going to be whole new store next time you go in.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Good point, Rita. Zara thrives on WIDE assortments and narrow ranges. So the stuff keeps on turning over and few people walk around wearing the same Zara item. Love that!

anchie

Veteran

Thank you all for you input.

Well, maybe it was just my bad luck, maybe I tried the wrong pieces. And it seems that my body is not compatible with their cuts. For example tops were fine in the body but arms were too tight. Skirts were fine in the waist but too tight at the hips. And I have issue with 100% polyester tops. I am in my clothes for 10+ hours per day, I sweat a lot and need something that breaths. Otherwise you would not like being very close to me

Main reason why I went there was the yellow blazer that I saw online:
http://www.zara.com/webapp/wcs.....Y%2BBLAZER
They did not have the yellow version in the store, just strawberry one. They also did not have my size, but when I saw this blazer in person I could see that quality is not the greatest. But for that price I am again considering ordering it. Should I give it a try? I am hunting for a yellow blazer for ages now.

I have to admit that I had better luck with H&M. Their clothes are fitting me better and they have lower prices than Zara but quality seems to be on the same level. If not better.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I wouldn't give up just yet, Anchie!

H&M's fits are also inconsistent at best and run small. But their items are not always slimcut. I prefer Zara because the looks are MUCH dressier and sophisticated, and to your point, the quality is generally better.

That being said, I love H&M too! I always go into their stores and check things out. H&M is my favourite budget store, and so is "de Hema" in the Netherlands.

Kate

Veteran

I often have trouble with the fit of Zara clothes, but overall, I am happy with the quality of the goods. I have a beautiful cropped blue blazer from there (I always have to size up with Zara), and a tweed jacket as well. I also like Zara's accessories, scarves and bags in particular.

Asos is also a great place to shop. Shipping is free both ways, which makes it easy to try multiple sizes in an item to get the best fit. They are good about making refunds in a timely manner too.

Don't give up. You'll always have fails with any retailer. Just try to be clear in your own mind about what wardrobe hole you are trying to fill and then get the best fit you can on the item. If it's something trendy you're after, do what I do: Recently I was looking for something that felt fresh and springy to add to my wardrobe, and decided that something should be yellow. I went to Asos, plugged yellow in the search box and just started paging through the items to see what caught my eye. That's a fun exercise to do, even when you're not looking to buy. You can always post items you see that you like on the forum and ask for feedback and ideas on how others might wear/style them.

If Angie has taught me anything (and I have learned A LOT from her), it's that fashion is FUN. That's something I had forgotten, and I have so enjoyed rediscovering it.

catgirl

Veteran

I'm done with Zara for the reasons you've stated. I have to order online which makes those issues even more irritating. If I have the opportunity to visit a store, I certainly will go look in person, but inconsistency in quality is one of my current pet peeves. I like roaming F21 for the occasional cheap score, and a couple of those finds have become workhorses!

christieanne

Veteran

I haven't been in Zara for a few years (there is one in SF though) but it seems to me I am better off in similar stores not looking for a specific item. I went to H&M looking for an animal print and got quickly overwhelmed and frustrated - and totally missed looking at all that they did offer.

F21 seems the same - you have to be in right mood, set a $$ budget and then roam (as Alaskagirl put it). Nordstrom rack is similar - I have to be in right mood to play and try lots on to find one gem.

In general, I am more happier shopper in department stores or Gap/BR where the racks are a little farther apart.

Mochi

Veteran

anchie, I think you're just like me. Some people tolerate less well-made clothes to get something trendy or in their price range, but to me it's critical to get something of better-than-decent quality and I feel lousy wearing cheap stuff. Stick with what makes you feel good; buy fewer but better-quality things. (As for getting out of a boredom rut, I hope others here can provide better advice.)

bj1111

Veteran

i tend to use zara and hm to try out a trend in a lower price point before i splurge on a big ticket item that i expect to be with me for years. of course, i also have zara womens black pants with a high waist and a wide-ish leg from 12yrs ago that i'm about to trot out (along with pink tweed pointy toed skinny heeled mules).

Fruitful

Veteran

Anchie, we had a YLF meet in Melbourne last year and went to Zara, and a couple of us were really unimpressed with the quality control (although a couple were happy and bought things).

I mean, I tried on a skirt with the zip already coming unstitched in the shop I think. Something else was torn. This kind of thing really annoys me.

I'd still go there but I'd be vigilant about inspecting the garments. Sizing doesn't bother me, it's inconsistent quality control and when stuff isn't durable enough to stay intact before it even leaves the shop.

Someone on Vogue Forums said the Zara Woman stuff is generally better than Zara Basics, if that helps.

Jyoti

(website)

Veteran

I know what you mean. I'm absolutely a budget shopper, and rarely buy big-ticket items, but I rarely buy things from Zara. There's one Zara where I live, and I have a feeling it gets picked over pretty quickly. I almost never find anything I like at a price point I'm comfortable with and in my size! I know that Zara is counted as a more budget retailer, but I find things to be too expensive for the quality. However, I've noticed that prices online are substantially lower. So I think that's whats happening at my Zara-- the good stuff is gone before I get there. xD

Also, I agree to some extent about the weird fit. I think a lot of the clothes at Zara are made for a certain silhouette, and for a lot of others, the fit is intentionally not what one would see as "well-fitted", but rather "runway-fitted".

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I also find Zara to be very inconsistent. I find tons of Zara stuff at thrift stores and it really runs the gamut from poorly made to super. I do pay more attention to zara woman stuff but some of the zara basic stuff is very good. I have had poor luck with their jeans (usually very bad material) but pretty good luck with some of their non-jeans trousers. I have a very well made zara tuxedo jacket that I love and a shiny trf (their juniors line) one that is hanging near me under consideration. I do tend to prefer their styles to h&m. The two stores happen to sit next to each other is a mall that is a 20 minute walk from my house, which is why it is a good thing I thrift most of my wardrobe.

Anonymous

I know it is not the intention of anyone here, but I think we must be cautious when commenting on threads like this. We have members of all income levels and the referencing to "cheap" or "cheap clothing" might be offensive to some. I am actually very fond of many bloggers whose wardrobes come from very modest places like Target. Unfortunately, looser quality control standards are very common these days, at all price points.

christieanne

Veteran

Zapotee - I understand what you mean. I think in this case, posters are referring only to a lower quality fabric or finishing on a garment. Personally, I would rather hunt down a bargain on clearance from a brand that I know will hold up well (although I have a thing for Target too - it's just being choosy in selection).

I am wondering if anyone can compare Mango to H&M and Zara? I don't think Mango carries my sizes but the accessories on their website look fun and trendy for the price.

anchie

Veteran

Sorry if I have offended anyone, it was not my intention. It is just that English is not my mother tongue and I am probably not expressing my self the best. When I said "cheap" I really did not mean money wise, I meant poorly made, low quality. Which is not in direct relation with the price of the item.

Regarding the Mango, to me it is very similar to Zara, with their pricing and quality, but it has a little bit more classic feel then Zara, but still very much on trend and in beautiful colors. Just my impression, never bought anything there but went into a store couple of times drawn in by bold colors.

My favorite stores where I shop mostly and where I am happy with the quality are Esprit (but not EDC line), SOliver, Comma and Mexx but I am not sure how familiar are you with this stores, they are probably not available in US?

Janet

(website)

Veteran

It's funny, I find items in Zara that appeal to me, but I've never found one that fits me right, and often the size that would fit me is sold out. So I've had no luck there, except for the butterfly and beetle print scarf I just got in NYC.

However, I have noticed that individual Zara stores vary widely in what they carry too. One Zara in NYC had almost nothing in common with the Zara in another part of the city.

cherylwm

Member

The quality of clothes in Zara a few years ago was much better than it is now. I think maybe due to the recession they cut corners to keep the price low, the stitching and fabric is not what it was. I tried 2 pairs of trousers on a couple of years ago, only to find they were falling apart, when I showed this to the assistant, they didnt look surprised.

However, I do look in there from time to time and you can find some great pieces, their jackets and coats are fantastic, I got a couple of cotton blouses last summer that were really well made, it really is a bit hit and miss though.

One tip - If you visit Spain you will find they are 20% or more cheaper (I am in the UK), this is also the same case in Mango.

Anonymous

Anchie, you're English is beautiful, I can't belive it's not your first language! I am as *cheap* as they come and you didn't offend me in the slightest. I know exactly what you meant in regard to *cheap* quality or clothing that is *cheaply* made. I don't think we have a great choice of descriptive words in our language to describe what you were trying to express, so no worries!

@Zap, you are so sweet to be sensitve to those of us on a budget. I really appreciate what you said. YLF is the most wonderfully inclusive place, thanks to people like you!

On to the topic at hand:
I really don't have anything earth-shattering to add about Zara. I stepped into one once at the SoCal YLF meet-up and I found their fabrics to be a little.....um (trying not to use the *C* word here--see how hard it is?) not the best quality for the price they were charging. I find F21 and H&M to be the same way, but totally worth stopping in to scope the occasional gem!

Laurie

Veteran

I walked into a Zara store for the first time yesterday and was so turned off by the general atmosphere of it that it felt like everything would be too expensive for the quality, because my initial gut feeling was "ick" -- i just looked at the website (following the yellow blazer link) and it appeals much more to me without the store atmosphere. For what it's worth, I feel the same way in H&M stores and I know that everyone here raves about great finds in both places.

That's why this is such a good forum...I'll definitely continue to give both stores a try.

On the same mall visit I was in love with everything at Nordstrom and Ann Taylor, but with no real sales, resisted buying anything.

I rarely go to the mall -- it's kind of exciting to see all of these things everyone is always discussing here, all in one place!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Zap, thanks for your thoughtful comment. You are dead right.

Anchie, no worries at all. You express yourself very well and I appreciate the effort in what might be your second or third language. All the stores you like to shop at are available in the US actually

Una, I agree that buying at Zara online is riskier. It's best to pop into a store - but then I feel like that about all online shopping!

Laurie, I feel the same way about Express and AE!

I just popped on my new Zara stuff and I couldn't be happier with it. It's a total hit and miss shopping there for sure - but then so are most retailers really, if you think about it.

I support Zara for many other reasons too:

- they are the world's leading Supply Chain
- 89% of the company is made up of women, which includes top management
- most of the company is under the age of 48.
- they NEVER EVER advertise

They are the world's top retailer for a reason. Personally, I will support their message for as long as I can. Things like that are meaningful to me.

Turkey Vulture

Anchie, I feel the same way about Zara and H&M. I totally get why people are so enthusiastic about Zara as a company, but so far I haven't found anything at Zara or H&M that does it for me. Fit and quality construction, including textiles that feel great against my skin, are so incredibly important to me. I would much rather invest in a classic piece that will last me a LONG time than spend smaller amounts of money on clothing that doesn't feel excellent on and look excellent on. That's just me, though -- I have a difficult body to fit well with a dramatic difference between my bust, waist, and hip measurements, so fit and construction (and fabrics that can be tailored without losing structural integrity) are a must for me.

When I want to add in some seasonal flair I go for things like cardigans in the "in" color, which I can add to my existing wardrobe of dresses and blouses to make them look fresh and on trend.

Just wanted to let you know that you're not alone! The flash-in-the-pan retailers are great for what they do but they haven't appealed to me so far either.

And by the way, I do NOT have a large clothing budget at all. I'm strictly a sale shopper (I bought a dress at full price for the first time in years yesterday as a special treat to myself) and most of my wardrobe comes from a couple of well-edited consignment shops in Seattle where I've built up a lot of trade-in credit!

anchie

Veteran

Angie, thank you for chiming in, I did not know that about the Zara. I am not crossing Zara from from my list just yet. It was more my disappointment and frustration talking, because I went there really hoping to find something fun and little different and nothing was working for me. But it is comforting to know that I am not the only one who had the similar experience.
You also mentioned that their fit is narrow, so that may be also part of the problem, I am not really narrow my self And I still don't know what to think about polyester tops. I have noticed that polyester is everywhere, in every price point. Maybe it is better now then it used to be?

Anonymous

Polyester is everywhere. Is *has* gotten better, some of the microfibers feel almost like silk to my hand, but I'm worried that when it gets really hot and/or humid, they wouldn't feel like silk to my armpits. Just sayin'. They need to breathe! I like poly best when it's in a blend.

anchie

Veteran

Thank you Clair, you got my point about polyester LOL.

Anonymous

I have been an intermittent Zara shopper for a number of years.

Among fast fashion retailers, I think they way they interpret the trends are in such a way that they are wearable for professional, working women vs. H&M, which I think is targeted towards teenagers. Just a generalization, but this seems to be supported by the type of women that I see in there when I shop -- some twenties, but also women in their thirties and forties. I can't say I know many women in their forties that shop regularly at H&M.

On the quality point, I do think that Zara is slightly better quality than H&M, though not by much. Not entirely a fair comparison as their price point is a bit higher.

rae

(website)

Veteran

My first trip to Zara, I tried on several jackets that fit fantastically but didn't buy because I didn't need them. My second trip, I needed jackets, but nothing fit. I loved their trousers, too, but found them too tight in the seat even though they were fine in the waist and hips and the next size up was falling off. Very strange. However, I have thrifted items from Zara that fit fantastically and wear well. Everyone is right that it is something of a treasure hunt to shop there!