Zara - am I the oy one who doesn't get it.

[Bodicea]

Just browsing the "what are you wearing today thread" and every other person seems to be in something that sounds quite nice from Zara.
Am I missing something with this shop? I consider myself a pretty nifty shopper - can happily score bargains and finds in all sorts of places - I will rifle through tkmax rails for ages for a find but whenever I go on Zara I feel a bit lost and come out empty handed.
It just seems a bit all over the place and expensive a for what it is.
I did however get a cute outfit for my baby boy last time I was in
( default shopping option when I can't find anything for me).

I can't see the appeal at all. The quality is dreadful and it's overpriced for what it is.

I was so excited when Zara first came to my town but was seriously underwhelmed when I went in there and I still have never bought a single thing in there. Do you need to be tall and willowy to suit their clothing?

I've never found anything I like in there (apart from a jumper ages ago) - it's overpriced H&M/Forever 21 imo.

I like soem of the styles they have but there's no way in hell any of it would fit me. I'm very short and very curvy fat, they don't cut for my shape or height so I just look but never buy anything as I know it won't fit

The Zara in the Metrocentre always smells of eggy farts.

They do great sandals and boots.

The problem with the inconsistent sizing means I'm less likely to buy because I can't be bothered to try on and know that 9 times out of 10 it'll need to go back.

I'm fairly tall (5'8) and a size 10-12 (medium in Zara) and their cut is great for me as I've a 36' inside leg and their trousers / skirts are long enough. I also adore all their pleather and have 3 skirts and 4 pairs of trousers / leggings made out of the fabric. That's one material they do well - it's their tops (the finishing of...) I've found lacking recently.

Glad it isn't just me. Sounds like a lot of you struggle with the layout, sizing and quality.

Oh and most of the shop assistants (at least in the York and Paris branches!) are super unfriendly and make you feel like the most annoying person ever for trying to buy some clothes, not making eye contact, sighing etc. I'm actually wondering if this is in their training somehow to promote their image of the chic cutting edge style!

There's a lot of polyester in there which seems wildly overpriced for what it is. However they're my go to for coats. The buttons invariably need re stitching after a short while but they look more expensive than they are as a general rule.

They also do gorgeous but also ridiculously expensive kids clothes.

I have two things from there that I live - a sequinned blazer and a pair of jeans. Everything else I've bought has been dreadful quality.

Basically Zara is great if you're slim - not so much if you're not.

The clothes are cheap and often cheaply made, but the styling is spot on - they are the fastest and best at picking up trends.

And their accessories are great, especially shoes.

I lived in Spain for 18 months where zara and mango are the 'go to' clothes shops. I much preferred mango; smaller shops, less clutter to rifle through and generally less rubbish. The coats in Zara can be nice, and some of the knitwear but that's about it. Some of their costume jewellery is ok.

I've just been reminded of a tshirt from there I loved! It was ribbed and grey and had black writing on. A few washes on and it went short and wide. Massively wide.

It's like Primark but in a naice shop full of polished white and chrome space to make you think its chic.

They are made for manicans anyway them clothes.

I have bought things in the sale, I do like spotting one when we are on holiday because it is so much cheaper than the UK.

I don't get on with Zara at all, and rarely look in there. I think the quality is poor ans the sizing is v hit and miss. I have one t-shirt from there, which I really like, and that's the only thing I've bought in there in about seven years.

it is definitely hit and miss. I love their shoes and I also got a beautiful draped blue dress that looked very Vivienne Westwood-ish. But about 90% of the stuff doesn't suit me. Big fan of their jewellery too, especially the statement necklaces.

I love the kids stuff - especially older boys. Got some fab tops and coats in the sale this year. My DD age 9 got a very on trend faux fur coat and some gorgeous dresses last year too.

The staff in our one are like supermodels literally every one of them! ALl the clothes look amazing on them but I find the sizing tricky as its not reliable. I have about 3 or 4 white cotton broderie type vintage looking tops from there all getting old now and the quality and fit was fantastic(5 plus years) but has definitely got worse.I do like teh trf jeans though

I think Zara is great! Piss poor quality at times, I agree. But you can't beat them for design.
Particularly like their jackets and bags. Somes tops. SOme jeans. I find most of their knitwear poor quality and don't often buy it.

It's cheap as chips so the quality is not likely to be good. The quality or lack of is the same other high street brands in that price bracket.

I've bought some things there that fit surprisingly well - snakeprint jeans, pencil skirt, Japanese style stretch summer dress. They're usually good for the latest trends.

The place I really don't get is Topshop - bizarre 80s styles, dreadful material, nothing fits.

I adore Zara. Quality is dodgy sometimes but I find that everywhere really. I love the wide range, the fact that stock changes so frequently and I find the stores uncluttered and spacious. Complete opposite of H&M where you can barely get through the aisles without knocking something over!

I'm not skinny by any measure, 12-14 and 5ft 7, so not willowy either. I have a complete Zara addiction and my 8 year old daughter is beginning to share this too!

I shop in Mango too but find their clothes are made of poorer quality fabric and should have had a bloody good iron before being put out in the store.

Zara online is fantastic too. It's quick and returns are free and straightforward.

Oh yes, their inline service is really good.

Oops! Clearly I mean online not inline. Unless of course I'm roller-blading around the store. Then their inline service is truly excellent.