Shopping Zara
February 16, 2013 § 8 Comments
This past Summer I was introduced to a clothing retailer called Zara. Opened in Spain in 1975, by a man named Amancio Ortega, the store’s selling of low-priced knockoff’s of high-end fashion was such a success that Mr. Ortega soon opened more stores all over Spain.
Eventually Zara moved through Portugal, and by 1989 entered the U.S. By 2007, Zara was present in 73 different countries.
I wondered why I’d never heard of them, but it made sense when I read about their “zero advertising policy,” very different from their competitors. Unlike Benetton and Uniqlo, choosing instead to have all profits go toward opening new Zara stores.
The company is solely owned, but like any large manufacturing company (solely owned or not), Zara’s been accused of human right’s issues (read sweat shops); a common problem that companies run into when trying to manufacture garments that are to be sold at very low price points (hello, Wal-Mart).
I didn’t have any of this knowledge when I visited the Soho shop last July to see what all the fashion fuss was about. My fashion blogging friends always raved about the brand, and I was curious.
But the legions of other devotees that packed the store, which was probably pretty before it was ripped apart by crazy, frenzied, hot and bothered, summer shoppers, over-heated the space and under-whelmed this lady.
I don’t do well in that kind of environment, so I made a break for it, grabbed a $3.00 water from the trolley outside the front doors, ran for the nearest train back to where I was staying.
It took me this 7 months to recover from that over-heightened shopping fiasco, but at last, in the horizontal haze of this weekend’s virus-infested sick-bed, I looked over every piece of Zara’s recent collection and found piles that must be tried. With free shipping and returns. Why not?
But I do have some questions for Zara fans of yonder? What does TRF stand for? Why does it seem like that line rarely carries sizes higher than medium? Are they clearly knocking off Marant this year, or is it just me? What is your favorite piece this season?
M.
Do you shop Zara or not?
Velour Whale Sweatshirt.
Printed Quilted Cardigan.
Taxi Tee. Would have bought this if they’d had a large. Only small and medium left.
This whole outfit makes me happy even though the colors are kind of dull. The jacket is a half-quilted, half-leather bomber. The pants are called “smooth baggy trousers.” Thin leg, pleated waist. My favorite shape right now.
Studded Jacket with Pockets.
Dress with Cape Sleeve. God, give me somewhere to wear this!
Knot Blouse. Hey mom. If you’re reading this. I think it could be pretty. You know… with like… a pair of jeans?
Jeans with Patches. MiH is doing a jean this season that’s simiar and they are a gazillion dollars more expensive. These are 79.90.
They call this the Shift Dress. It’s so Marnie from Girls … all uptight and covered, but still pretty.
I NEVER shop in store – we have one here but I generally just use it to return items bought online. I might see something while I’m in there though like Friday when I got an amazing pair of trousers for $20. TRF stands for Trafaluc – it’s their ‘younger’ more casual line that I think I prefer. A lot of the TRF tops are only small or medium which generally means they are oversized enough for a medium to fit a large. Their sizing can be completely random – I have jackets that are medium and large and they are definitely designed with smaller frames in mind. In fact they are not doing as well in the US due to the number of ‘heavier set’ women so their clothes only fit a smaller percentage of US women. Europeans must be skinnier in general. Thankfully though they are refusing to do larger sizes or vanity sizing for the US. Nothing tastes as good as skinny…
I knew you’d come through for me Joanna! Thank you! I saw the great trousers you got the other day… the sequins right? Loved them!
I’m thinking of going back for the whale sweatshirt, though I might instead get the lizard one, as the daughters and I have a lizard friend that lives at our back door. We’ve named her Lizzie. I was always scared of lizards, but I’m kind of fond of her now. We shall see. Hopefully the medium is oversized enough to fit my annoyingly large bosom.
Safe journey tomorrow. Wish I could be a fly on the wall when you lunch with the ladies. I’m sure it will be good fun!
Aah – the lovely Joanna answered before me and didn’t you do your homework? It is a fascinating brand and has come on so far – I find it indespensible in that it gives me a lovely shopping outlet within my budget. I have a certain budget each month and that allows me a couple of pieces every now and then and it just does what it does really well. But yes, they are very Marant inspired this season and Dries Van Noten and Louis Vuitton. That’s probably why I like it – I could never afford the real deal.
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I did do my homework. Could NOT believe they’d been around since I was four and I hadn’t heard of them? I’m excited for my bundle to arrive. I’m hoping some of the pieces fit, as I too cannot afford the real deal. Dries has been off my radar for ages, but I always recall very sad looking models. Must go look and take a looksie at the newest line.
Am guessing you’ll be one of the 8 meeting up for pizza this week? You ladies are sure to have some good fun! Would love to be a fly on the wall. Can’t wait for the photos!
Im kind of in love with those jeans!!! Never heard of Zara but know not a thing about fashion. Thanks for the tutorial. Love the yellow dress but too short for me.
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Isn’t it amazing that a company can be around for so many years and successful, and yet completely unheard of?!!!
I think the sleeves on that dress are unbelievable, but I agree…the dress is short. I bet it would look just as pretty with some narrow black leggings underneath, worn as a tunic. It’s wishful thinking for me, though. I never have anywhere to go.
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