Zara can be an overwhelming store. It's big and bright (except for the changing rooms) and there's a lot to take in from clothes and accessories at eye level to shoes and bags at ground level and tables of flat lay clothes in between!
It's mostly high fashion styles that run the gamete from ordinary to extraordinary. Many pieces mimic those from high end designers with a slight variation to make it Zara's own. But they also offer classic pieces with a modern edge. The prices are unbeatable, from $9.90 rising in ten dollar increments to $69.90! There are higher priced items, but that's not the norm!
In general, the quality is better than average for the price point. Almost everything is easy care and can be either machine or hand washed. There's very little that requires the dreaded dry cleaner!
Zara is from Spain, therefore the sizing varies from what we expect in the US. Many things run a tad smaller than US sizing and some things will never fit an American because they were made for an extraterrestrial... or a human body type I've never yet had the pleasure of meeting!
Each item's ticket has the European size, then the US size and a medley of other countries. This however is redundant as the majority of pieces are sized as XS, S, M, L, XL and XXL! Therefore, an M (medium) is considered an M anywhere in the world! Shoes and some tailored pieces are labelled as actual size but may require a size up for us midlife ladies. Depending on the cut and style of a garment, I've bought clothes from Zara in a size S, M and L. It doesn't take long to recognize which pieces to size up or down for... I'm usually a US size 6. TIP - take a couple of sizes to the changing room until you become familiar with their fit.
Gathering items to try on as you go around the store is heavy and awkward (garments falling off hangers etc.), especially if you're picking up a couple of sizes to get the best fit. Nobody will relieve you of this hefty burden and take your bounty to wait patiently in a changing room with your name on it. You'll need a pack horse by the time you've scoured the whole store. But in all fairness, Zara employees don't work on personal commission sales, so don't expect anyone to fawn over you!
TIP - pick up one of the large hessian sacks at the entrance to the store and stuff as much as you can into it, it's way easier to carry than all the individual pieces. Unlike other stores, Zara has no limit on how many pieces you can try on at once!
TIP - unless you're a gymnast, a yogi and have a very tiny gait, (you'll need all of the above attributes), place any shoes you fancy in your shopping sack so you can try on in the discomfort (yes, you heard right!) of the changing room! Trust me, this advice may very well save your life!
The shoes are tied together with a chord that gives you a maximum 4 inch spread, so if you don't crash to the floor taking the surrounding rails with you whilst getting them on your feet from a standing position, then you will likely come a cropper as you shuffle your way to the mirror only to realize that your own shoes, now discarded several feet away are also from Zara and someone is picking them up with a view to buying them!
When the try-on sack is busting at the seams and your arms are numb, give up the search and go to the changing room!
This is where it gets tricky. The changing rooms are small, the lighting is dingy (in the Scottsdale Zara anyway) and the cubicle curtains leave peep gaps at the sides, so if you're bashful you're snookered! The only consolation is you've got a whole lot of try-on fun in front of you, and so has everyone else in there! Nobody gives a toss about peep holes!
You need to stay organized in this nanoscopic space, there's no room to swing a cat! There are three hooks, a narrow bench, a mirror either side, and larger mirrors outside the cubicle with slightly better lighting!
TIP: hang the pieces from your shopper sack on one of the hooks, place shoes under the bench, your own clothes on another hook and save the third hook for rejects. Now you can systematically try everything on and have a bench to sit and try-on shoes without the blood rushing to your head as you take a free fall in the middle of the store! If you need other sizes whilst you're in the changing room, you may be able to get assistance from the staff, but it can take a while! Leave the cubicle with everything you went in with giving the rejects to the changing room associates.
You have 30 days to return items, and the usual rules apply... all tags attached, unworn, in original condition etc. I've returned shoes with tags intact but the 4-inch death chord tying them together was broken! I think this happens a lot, I've seen them broken in the store. Nobody has ever questioned me about that when I've returned shoes. Besides, if I'm trying on a sling back and I can't take a normal sized step (which is more than 4 inches) then how am I to know if the shoe stays on or not?
So, for any midlife woman who wants to enjoy the many benefits of fashion from Zara, I say give it a try! There's plenty for many style tastes and whilst primarily it caters for the smaller body type, XXL and up to a US size 12 or 14 is available in some pieces. If you enjoy trying new trends, Zara is a great way to do it without breaking the bank. Be patient and try on everything that catches your eye, you will be surprised at what you end up loving!
I can easily spend two hours in the store if I haven't been for a while, there are always new things coming in. Some days I come away with nothing, and other days with only one piece even after many sack loads of try-ons (I'm a stickler for fit, it must be perfect)! But that's okay. As a result of Zara, I've gone from spending $200 plus on one pair of jeans to spending $50 and getting more compliments than I ever received on the expensive ones. I'm now horrified that I ever bought jeans that cost so much. The same is true for many of my clothes... years ago I would have purchased expensive designer pieces that granted have stood the test of time, but if you pick carefully at Zara, the same applies for a fraction of the cost.
18 Comments
6/18/2019 03:11:06 am
Loved all your tips!! I am in need of a trip to the mall if if only to have a break from our new puppy Tank! Lol we have a Zara too!!! I admittedly walk by it a lot as it does seem like an overwhelming store. Next time I’ll be sure to go in and at least have a peak. I am living the hot bunk blazer vest!!!
Reply
Karen
6/18/2019 06:36:56 am
Glad you enjoyed the article, and thank you for your feedback!
Reply
7/12/2019 03:03:40 pm
I am not fond of shopping but I have to do it once in a while. I need to buy new clothes to wear at work or sometimes if I have to go somewhere that I need to be fashionable. I like the tips especially about the changing room. It is the part of shopping that I find it hard the most. I find it difficult to move with the small space they provided to try your clothes. It was really helpful for me.
Tracy
6/19/2019 08:17:12 am
What size sho do you normally wear and what size do you wear at Zara? Trying to decide what size to order online.
Reply
Karen
6/19/2019 01:08:01 pm
Hi Tracy!
Reply
Karen
9/21/2019 08:05:27 am
Thank you for visiting my blog!
Reply
Picking one out of many fashion jobs generally is an overwhelming challenge. There are several different opportunities in the fashion industry that you might not be sure which one is best for you. With the high demand for fashion jobs, you need to be sure of what it is that you want to do so you can get started on pursuing your dream in this competitive industry. Below you will find descriptions for several fashion jobs and, subsequently, be one step closer to establishing your career in the fashion industry.
Reply
2/17/2021 04:15:51 am
Efficiently written information. It will be profitable to anybody who utilizes it, counting me. Keep up the good work. For certain I will review out more posts day in and day out. <a href="https://www.vkonte.com/">global science research</a>
Reply
2/17/2021 04:51:20 am
Very efficiently written information. It will be beneficial to anybody who utilizes it, including me. Keep up the good work. For sure i will check out more posts. This site seems to get a good amount of visitors. <a href="https://awomansessence.com/">boudoir nude photo</a>
Reply
2/17/2021 05:21:58 am
Different kinds of dissertation webpages on-line imagine you're even are given obviously reported on your blog. <a href="http://www.diversionclass.org/">Anger Management Evaluation</a>
Reply
2/17/2021 05:43:59 am
Cool stuff you have got and you keep update all of us.<a href="https://www.thehoodoocabin.com/">love magic</a>
Reply
2/17/2021 06:03:31 am
A very awesome blog post. We are really grateful for your blog post. You will find a lot of approaches after visiting your post.<a href="https://www.a1plumbersbristol.co.uk/">Plumber bristol</a>
Reply
2/17/2021 06:27:06 am
Fabulous post, you have denoted out some fantastic points, I likewise think this s a very wonderful website. I will visit again for more quality contents and also, recommend this site to all. Thanks. <a href="https://g.page/A1plumbersbristol?share">a1plumbersbristol</a>
Reply
2/17/2021 06:37:32 am
Fabulous post, you have denoted out some fantastic points, I likewise think this s a very wonderful website. I will visit again for more quality contents and also, recommend this site to all. Thanks. <a href="https://www.zensleather.com/">Custom Denim Jackets</a>
Reply
4/15/2021 11:25:13 am
Nice Post admin. i love your blog. you have awesome collection of new fashion design cloths. please share more ideas i like your blog keep update more info with us
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorKaren Serino is a life and style blogger, sharing fashion, fitness and fun for youthful women in their forties, fifties and beyond. Enter your Email above and receive blog updates directly to your inbox!
Follow me on Instagram @aboveandbeblonde and see daily outfits and other fun stuff:
Use the search field to enter keywords to look up a specific blog: Archives
April 2020
Categories
All
Click the picture below to see my interview with the lovely Jonet Wooten from Fabulously Chic Over 50
|