Is it me, or is Zara really poor quality?

[carlajean]

I went in this weekend, to check out a dress that was featured in the weekend Guardian. The shop assistants were useless but, after looking at the rest of the stuff, I wasn't all that bothered, as it all seemed to be such poor quality - about Primart standard. Have I missed a trick here, and missed some good stuff in with the bad?

[BlueEyedWonder]

Yes used to shop in Spain years ago and lots of cotton and silks.
Like lots of shops now, you have to search through a lot of crap to find something decent. This season I bought a LBD (well made), a cream cotton blouse (shrunk in the wash) and a midi dress (button fastening had to be sewed back on before I even wore it).
I also don't find them the easiest place to return to. Cambridge store often try and persuade you to accept a repair on faulty items and quibble about online returns.

[Featherstep]

A lot of my wardrobe is from Zara. I have a couple great blazers, silk mix blouses, tailored work dresses, dressy tops, lots of summer separates. I think they are still the best high street place to go for something on trend/ smart/ stylish without spending a lot.

I don't think anyone pretends that Zara is quality stuff, it's much more about the current look. Still, perhaps it's true the quality has gone down. I went in during the recent sale but didn't really find anything I liked. The knitwear in particular feels the same as H&M. The coats did look rather good though.

Where else to go for similar? Massimo Dutti is a bit drab and shapeless for me and feels 'older' though better quality (I'm 34).

[TheMightyMing]

Agree 100% , the only decent thing I have from there is a faux leather mini from this year. I usually walk in, it looks great till you get close up and there's raw edges, split seams, terrible stiching and in any case the size is all to cock. I'm a slim size 10-12 and feel a bit peeved buying a large!

I would rather buy quality in the sales.

[Lelivre]

Frustratedfrugal thanks I will check those brands out. I don't know MiH or sands...

[jaybeeyellow]

Very poor quality as is Topshop, H&M, New Look, Primark. I could go on and on. Don't even get me started on M&S!

[maybemyrtle]

Interesting. I too used to love Zara for cotton, silk, wool etc but it's all poly and viscose when I go in now. I thought it was just my little local branch but seems not.

I do think Hennes has upped its game in the last few years though, the premium quality and logg ranges tend to be good fabrics.

[SuperFlyHigh]

I agree saw a featured dress saw it Instore and made from the most vile cheap material. Yuck

[scruffyonion]

i totally agree, I absolute loved ZARA but omg.... the last few years - they may have a new buyer or something but if deffo does not solicitation/style and coolness in mind anymore, its fast fashion and a quick turnaround Iv not seen decent beauitiful dresses Zara was the only shop you go go into and be kited but very sadly - no more xx

[MaryLennoxsScowl]

Before lockdown I’d have echoed everything you say. Since then, however, I’ve been buying online and it’s so much better. You can check the fabric content before you buy, you can search by fabric, and they have stock of the fashionable items - unlike my local branch, which is massive and in a capital city, but is awful - wall to wall polyester cheap office wear. And returns are easy online. I like their denim too.

[BlackSwan]

It's awful. Avoid.

[Fruityb]

Their website gives me a headache. I have no idea how you’re supposed to know what the clothes look like when they’re hanging off a tiny model in some weird pose. It’s more like interpretive dance. Just show me the clothes!!

[dameofdilemma]

It can be poor quality.
Whistles though is often little better but far pricier (polyester, unlined dresses with wonky seams for £90…no thanks).

[SuperSketchy]

This thread is five years old, however, yes I also find Zara horrible. Hate their website, hate their use of acrylic in knitwear. They also used to not be very 'size inclusive', which as a tall 18 really bothered me. Think they're a little better for that now though.

I tried on some shoes and a jumper there recently and both looked lovely from afar as a pp said, but awful close up. Did not buy, obviously.

[dontgobaconmyheart]

I think it is pretty poor quality these days- but - it's a high street shop so I wouldn't expect the quality to differ much from the shops around it, and it doesn't.

I do think they have some much better quality coats (at higher price points) in the AW than other high street options though.

All the high street brands are hit and miss, I think you really have to shop around in them to look for slightly better quality looking pieces fabrics and cuts.

[PersephoneJames]

This thread is old but I disagree!

I spend a lot of time in Spain (and a lot of time in Zara) and I much prefer it to British shops because natural fibres are the norm. They have 100% wool coats for a fraction of the price of boden, I bought a 100% linen maxi dress with embroidery for €40 and the tops are all proper cotton.

[SuperSketchy]

I wonder if Spain gets better items than the British stores then...the sweater I tried on here in the UK was acrylic (not envy).

[LaBrujaPiruja]

Zara has 2 or 3 different categories for the stores and stock for sale in each one of them depends on the area and past sales within the area. If in your town they mostly sell polyester officewear they will have more polyester officewear and less embroidered kaftans and tulle cocktail dresses.

Even in my hometown in Spain the stock in Zara stores differs, more “upmarket” in the centre, more H&M/Primark-like in the shopping mall.

[LaBrujaPiruja]

@SuperSketchy

I wonder if Spain gets better items than the British stores then...the sweater I tried on here in the UK was acrylic (not envy).

No, depends on the store category. You will find the ‘premium’ designs more easily in Zara Bond Street or Regent Street in London than in the shopping malls in my hometown or most Zara stores in Spain (although Zara has a top category store in almost every province in Spain so you are never far away from the ‘best’ pieces).

[PersephoneJames]

Knitwear is probably one of of the only things I haven’t bought there (also shoes) but a quick check of the fiber content online and it’s about 50/50 acrylic/natural. I checked boden and it’s about the same but much pricier.

I got these recently and am v pleased with them!

[SuperSketchy]

No way @LaBrujaPiruja! That's really interesting! This is why I love Mumsnet.

[PersephoneJames]

Ohh that makes sense. I go to the Spanish flagship and it’s been given a tech makeover with robot arms and “smart shopping” etc.

[newnortherner111]

Used to be quite good, had a coat from them worn every day to the office (pre Covid) that has lasted over 10 years. Wasn't impressed last time I was in there though.

[OlivesTree]

I have some Zara shirts that I bought about 10 years ago that are still going strong - nice cuts and fabric. Now, it’s mostly shite, with the very occasional ok item thrown in.
I’ve returned several things that have shrunk or fallen apart after a wash and they always refund with barely a look at it. I suspect it’s because they expect returns die to the appalling quality.

[GarethBalesManBun]

I’ve never understood why people love Zara. Very poorly made, horrible fabrics, weirdly cut. I think they do a good job of styling and merchandising to make it look more high end than it is. The actually clothes are like the worst quality items at H&M.

[GarethBalesManBun]

actual