What has happened to Zara?!

[Shinyflecks]

Nothing to buy, weird awful acid colours
Rows snd rows of discounted crop tops. They’re on the way out surely?
I’m 39 - I have an event tomorrow evening
AIBU - Am I now too old for Zara?

I've never understood the appeal of Zara, yet it seems to be where all my friends go.

I'm 42 and also don't know where to shop anymore?

Mango is a good shout I think. Quite like Tu and George for affordable clothes for work.

Used to like Top Shop for skinny jeans and other bits.

I used to buy loads from zara but agree its all festival clothes. I'm size 8 and quite short and everything is for really tall people. Used to be perfect for me.

I got a couple of nice work shirts and some nice mom jeans from there in the sale (£7.99!). But yes, it has gone downhill of late 😔

I’m 30, I feel a bit old and chubby for body con and cropped things…ASOS I end up sending most things back, Mango seems pricey as does Oliver Bonas. Where can I shop?!

My most recent purchases came from M&S and George, Asda.

Any inspiration would be appreciated!

@SteppingOverTheMark I'm 30 too and I can't remember the last time I bought something that wasn't from TU or George

It's actually depressing.

If I want something nice I buy from Reiss for fancy and Sweaty Betty for casual. Expensive! But there doesn't seem to be any middle ground these days.

Everything seems wrong somehow. Strange cuts or horrible patterns. Or looks cheap. Or like it will be dated by next year.

I went through a phase of liking hush, mint velvet etc but I don't even bother looking at them anymore. Terrible quality, overpriced, massive sizing and just not that nice.

How can "average women aged 28-45 (give or take 5-10 years) who want stylish well made clothes" be a gap in the market? Makes no sense.

I really think their sales must have gone down.

I went last month early Jan and it was like a jumble sale.

I think they’ve really lost focus.

I don’t know what mango sizing is like? We don’t have an actual store where I live.

Everything is very 90s - fine, but 😰 in my teens in the 90s it was hard to find jeans that fit. It was also so empty today.

I really wanted something new for this event tomorrow 😰

@pinkhousesarebest

Did anyone see the recent ad where the model was crouched on the hob?

😂 I’ve been thinking about this every time I opened the thread. What was that about?!

@themental
At least it’s not just me…I was starting to think I was just an out of touch frump!

The only slight gem I’ve discovered is Brand Alley…Whistles, Reiss, etc for 70% off at times. Just long delivery times.

It’s sad, I try to support the high street but there’s nothing out there for me

I’m too old (and fat) for Zara.

@pombears22

i think zara has gone down hill. mango however has got a lot better. they seem to have swapped

Couldn't agree more 👍

Try Massimo Dutti. Grown up and less crazy Zara.

Mango is good. Sizing similar to Zara I find.

Zara has always been massively hyped by fashion journalists and has always totally failed to live up to that hype.

I got put off Mango when I found out they keep their size L in the back, I think it’s the equivalent to a 14. I’m hoping this practice has changed…

I love their jeans! Also basic jumpers.

I buy a lot in the kids section, they have some really nice separates, jackets, cute little pinafores etc I'm small so everything fits and is cheaper too!
My winter coat was from there, it looks expensive and is super warm too.
I love Zara!

@girafferafferaffe

Also their website is just painful. I want to see the clothes, not some bizarre pose covering most of it.

Yes ,i cant even browse the website it hurts my eyes,and the models always have their arms and legs wrapped around the outfit so you cant actually see it properly.

Zara has horrible cropped tops all the teenage girls shop in there now they prefer it to Primark and same price - !

@themental

I've bought a few bits from Hush and Mint Velvet recently and agree that the quality is dreadful. Particularly Hush - the clothes look like rags after a few washes and they are not cheap. I won't be going back.

I think that Jigsaw is still good quality. That's where I buy all my knitwear. Expensive, yes, but I haven't found anywhere else that compares on quality that is cheaper. Particularly on knitwear. It's practically impossible to find decent knitwear at a low price point.

I do think different stores vary. My local is horrendous, everything only really suitable for recreating the Groove Is In The Heart music video. The one on Sloane Sq/Kings Rd is lovely.

I ordered jeans from Zara a few weeks ago in a size 8 because I'm a size 8 and the only way they will fit me is if I get my pelvis removed! They were also about 6inches too long and they are not "tall or long" jeans just regular and I'm 5ft 5 🤷🏼‍♀️ im not sure who they use to decide their sizing!

I don't think I have ever bought a single thing in there!

Just looked on their website and the boxy jackets are very 80s. The sort of thing you could pick up in the charity shop for a couple of quid!

I still like Zara - i’m almost 45, I don’t like everything there, but always find things that work. I’m 6ft and they seem to cater well for tall people.

I'm 43 and really find shopping tricky these days. Zara just doesn't fit my shape it all seems very narrow!
I find mint velvet a but like Per Una

Quite like Oliver bonas or whistles but a lot of it is like work wear.

New look used to my go to 10 years ago for a cheap wardrobe update it is like a jumble sale in our local one now.
Needless to say I haven't bought much recently.

I’m in Spain and LOVE Zara. Whenever I read mumsnet Zara threads I think it must be a totally different shop. Maybe they stock British shops with stuff the Spanish won’t buy!?

Yesterday I bought 100% cashmere camel coloured joggers for €59, 100% cotton embroidered shirt for €15 and a 100% wool, lined double breasted knee length black fitted coat for €99. Also love their jeans.

I’m 35, size 10-12 and buy a M.

I did walk past a lot of Neón suits but I have to do that in every shop!

It's always looked a bit messy in there which puts me off before even looking at the clothes