What am I missing about Zara?

[CambridgeBlue]

Countless threads on here recommend it as the place for everything from jersey blazers to bags and that's backed up by lots of style bloggers raving about it but I just can't find anything nice in there, ever!

I've actually got some vouchers to spend but I went into the local store (quite a big one) at the weekend and came away empty handed. I tried loads on but the fabrics were horrible (even silk felt nasty), the colours really unflattering - dull and too bright at the same time - and every time I picked up what looked like a nice item it had some weird detail or tacky embellishment. And what's with the gold on everything? It all felt very badly made and too fashiony for me but not cheap enough to reflect that.

Where am I going wrong? Where are all these nice basics and must buys that everyone talks about? Still need to spend the vouchers but at the moment I'd rather hang on to them, there's nothing I want in there even if it's effectively 'free'.

[HolgerDanske]

I basically only get scarves and bags from zara.

[ClaraDeLaNoche]

Thing about Zara is the stock turns over v quickly so one month there is loads of lovely stuff, and grim the next month. Was in last week and nothing grabbed me.

[ephemeralfairy]

Amazing shoes, but that's about it for me.

[Molotov]

I don't think you are going 'wrong'! I don't particularly like Zara either. It's okay for accessories, but not my go-to place for basics.

I prefer H&M and Forever 21.

[TipseyTorvey]

I think it's changed in the last couple of years. I used to find it good for basics like simple blouses, vests and jackets but agree with you now it's all gone a bit 'blingin' and I've retreated to H&M and M&S for basics and Hobbs, LK Bennett for more structured items like jackets and skirts. If the vouchers last til summer, it's usually good for disposable holiday clothes maybe?

[TondelayoSchwarzkopf]

Their kids and home stuff is nice.

[cardigal]

I bought a couple of jersey blazers for £25 each to see if I liked the idea of blazers. They look cheap and they were cheap but it was a good way to get an idea.

Nasty fabric.

[JapaneseMargaret]

I was dying to get in there when we were back on holiday after 3 years away from the UK. Went in there in Barcelona and London, and didn't buy a single thing.

[Abra1d]

I have never bought a single thing in there. It all seems so synthetic and cheap-looking.

[Saurus72]

Totally agree, I just don't get it. It seems like market stall quality and fabrics to me.

[littlewhitebag]

My 16 yo stylish and fashion conscious DD absolutely loves it and would spend all her money there. It all looks fab on her being that she is 5'9" and a size 8/10. Not so great on me at size 16!

[BunnyLebowski]

I don't get it either.

I go in quite regularly but never see anything I would wear.

Mind you, that goes for most shops I see lauded on S+B on a daily basis (Cos, Baujken, MeandEm, Massimo Dutti etc).

[pinkfrocks]

I never see anything worth buying. It reminds me of the old C&A - full of poor quality clothes and teeny teeny sizing ( and I'm an 8-10)

[IrenetheQuaint]

10 years ago I used to buy a lot from Zara... but these days it is all synthetic and nasty.

Better than Cos though which seems to major on shapeless orange garments. Why? Why???

[JapaneseMargaret]

I'm 5'10" and size 10, and still couldn't find anything. Aged 40, admittedly.

And yeah, agree that Cos is Very sack-like...

[kaykayblue]

It used to be good, but in recent years they have shot the prices up and the quality has dropped right down.

Occasionally I will see a nice top in there, but that's about it. The shoes are HORRIFICALLY over priced, but cheap and nasty in reality. Even bloody New Look does better shoes, at a fraction of the price.

[chinamoon]

Agree about Zara. Decades ago it was full of classic tailored clothes at really cheap prices. Now it's full of really cheap looking clothes and overpriced. I love H&M for cheap basics or one season stuff. (And their children's clothes are the best - they last forever and are really well cut.)

Cos looks good on tall women with thin legs, whatever their torso shape. It's disastrous on mumsily built women like me with hips and thighs.

[Eastpoint]

I usually buy a few pieces a year from Zara, this year I have a pretty Hawaiian style camisole with an open back, a stripy black & white rain jacket, a long pink asymmetric top. I think it's good for statement fashion pieces that aren't worth paying more for - oh I forgot I also bought a fab wired crystal statement necklace which has been greatly admired. Last winter I bought a parka which was adopted by my daughters in January.

[Mammuzzamia]

Market stall was what I thought too. They do like the gold I agree.

[KoalaDownUnder]

Oh, I'm glad it's not just me!

A new Zara just opened here in Perth - we've never had one before, and being the most isolated city in the world, we don't get many new shops. I was so excited to see what it was like, and it's crap! All polyester, fake gold and pleather. Soooo disappointed.

Wish we could have had an H&M instead. At least that's cheap!

[MilkThistle187]

They have some very nice cashmere at the moment, I'd buy that if I were you

[HelpMeGetOutOfHere]

I do like a lot of their clothing, both for myself and dd (8) although I hate that they come up so small on me.

What I don't like is that they wash terrible. Every item I have ever washed from here has then had twisted seams or misshapen. Some items even appear to disintegrate! I have stopped buying now as every single top for dd in the summer now looks like rags and the same for the dresses and tops for myself.

[Oly4]

I'm glad it's not just me too! I find Zara to be overpriced tat

[GirlWithTheLionHeart]

I agree! Always walk out empty handed, same as Mango

[OneLittleToddleTerror]

I went in there too today trying to see what I can buy once baby is born. Nothing grabs me at all. Like others say, at least H&M is cheap!