I really like looking at Zara‘s clothes, but then it often stops there. If it isn’t the fact that a quickly made garment (whose stitching is already coming apart) is overpriced, then it’s the fact that I feel like Chris Farley in Tommy Boy when he put on David Spade‘s little jacket. I used to wear Zara jackets and slacks ALL the time a few years ago, but just chalked up the fact that even in a size large/x-large jacket I can’t get my arms to lay down right, to weight gain. Besides, the stuff in the men’s section is much cooler anyway.
But then I came across an article titled “Is Zara’s Sizing Too Small for Americans?” on Style Bistro and was all like “Ohhhh, so maybe my back didn’t increase in diameter?!?!?” In the article, which sourced an article from Coco Perez, it’s discussed how Zara, who of course is huge in Europe, is struggling to tap an audience in the U.S. Which to me was kind of funny because it seems like EVERYONE you know/see on blogs is wearing Zara. Perhaps Zara-philes are most abundant in cities like New York and Los Angeles because a source notes most Americans are hesitant to jump on the Zara bandwagon and prefer “classic, roomier clothes.”
A-ha! So now I don’t have to tuck my tail under when my broad-backed self can’t fit into a smedium $225 Balmain knockoff that’s already missing a button.
Do you shop Zara? What are your thoughts on the store’s sizing?
Image via Zara.com
New blog post: Is Zara’s Sizing Too Small?: http://t.co/nC1KkC94
Is Zara’s Sizing Too Small? http://t.co/KfDfSx4P by @StyleNBeautyDoc
New Blog Post: Is Zara’s Sizing Too Small? http://t.co/mGZ23RoM
Yes. I’m emotionally scarred from their tiny clothes. RT @stylenbeautydoc: New blog post: Is Zara’s Sizing Too Small?: http://t.co/Zg2jv59s
RT @StyleNBeautyDoc: New Blog Post: Is Zara’s Sizing Too Small? http://t.co/mGZ23RoM
I fear Zara is walking down that horrible path that Arden B. walked down years ago. Remember when Arden be used to have hip trendy not forever 21ish looking clothes. I worked there and all the clothes were cut very small. I had to always grab the largest size, and this was in my itty bitty college days. If Zara’s clothes are suffering from poor craftsmanship many people will stop buying all together. this is why I stopped shopping at Bebe. I’m not spending $75 on a shirt for the buttons to fall off after one good wear. Companies are losing site of quality and focusing only on the quantity, as in the dollar dollar bills!
I thought I was the only one who noticed that Arden B. had fallen off. I remember years ago when they were hot stuff but you can noticeably tell the difference in quality now. It’s like you are better off thrifting, and getting your clothes custom tailored at the rates companies such as Arden B. and Bebe try to charge.
Um, YES. And they need to enter the plus size market. Hmph
I just figured that Zara’s clothing was too small FOR ME, not necessarily too small in general. It’s definitely a European brand and it’s sizing reflects such. They probably subscribe to a standard of beauty in which a “large” is still fairly small. I have a few pieces from there that I caught on sale but, as you said, they tend to be overpriced. I have tons of bags from there though. Never have to worry about fit w/ bags. I always stop in if I’m near one but I usually leave empty-handed.
for me the tops are okay..and i’m a small girl. 5’2 110 pounds…but the pants??? forget it!! I mean I have a little bit of a ghetto booty but not THAT much. I don’t even TRY to wear the the pants or jeans anymore. I make myself feel better by saying everything is sized for the eurochic crowd…not so much the skinny haitian american crowd..lol
i love the fit of the tops because, well, i can normally only fit junior sized clothing..except for the bottoms. Zara bottoms were not made for we brown girls, but i don’t mind. I’m a cheapskate anyway and I’ve never seen a pair of zara-like pants i can’t find for $20 bucks somewhere else. I def see a lot of bloggers in Zara, but I usually see them in dresses, shoes/handbags, and blazers…or maybe that’s just me? lol..
Although I love their apparel I rarely shop there because it gives me a weight complex.
Nope. I think it’s just fine. I know that I normally where a size 6 in am american brands and understand according to european standards I might be considered a little larger. Whatevs! The clothes are great and better cut for my long lanky boy shape.
I like the clothing but I had problems with the bottoms fitting my thighs and most of the tops arent long enough for my arms. I just admire and leave things in the store. lol
I think different brands cut their clothing differently. You won’t be the same size at Zara, Club Monaco or J.Crew…
I have the opposite problem, I find them too big! I’m a cyclist, so I have muscular legs and I’m a bit curvy in the behind, but still bottoms are always big. I don’t think I’m all that particularly small, since I’m 5’5″ but I have a very petite frame, so it all fits so big on me. That’s why I own about 20 pairs of shoes from Zara, but only 1 pair of shorts and 3 dresses. So if everyone here finds their sizing too small and I (and others I know) find their sizing too big, then who is Zara cutting their clothes for???
Is Zara’s Sizing Too Small? http://t.co/qQMygSWj via @StyleNBeautyDoc
YES RT @socialitedreams: Is Zara’s Sizing Too Small? http://t.co/8sqGDONx via @StyleNBeautyDoc
absolutely. RT @Talisa3636 Oh Yes!RT @InnyVinny: YES RT @socialitedreams: Zara’s Sizing Too Small? http://t.co/XAF9JcWx via @StyleNBeautyDoc
I usually go for their printed blouses because they are versatile for work or play, but I am selective, if the fit, fabric, or craftsmanship is poor I return it no matter how cute it is. I am 5’8, 155, about a size 8/10 and I have to get an x-large in anything I buy from Zara just to be sure it fits and I have some room. I have one pair of their pants and their wide leg, so of course they fit with no problem. I do like that you can get runway inspired items at a discount, but you still have to be selective due to fit and craftsmanship at places like Zara.
No… I’m a US size 14 and have had no problem finding clothing that fits, at Zara or any other site. You have to pay close attention to the garment sizing chart, and know your own measurements. I only buy clothing in numbered sizing, as vague sizes like “S”,”M”, & “L” can vary greatly.
RT @InnyVinny: YES RT @socialitedreams: Is Zara’s Sizing Too Small? http://t.co/8sqGDONx via @StyleNBeautyDoc
Good question, Emily Wujek!
Speaking from experience, in the past I found their clothes to fit relatively well. I feel like over the past couple of years their clothing has gotten smaller. I’m a US 10/12 I’m busty, I have hips and a butt. Their blouses are doable, and a few years ago their blazers were too, I recently tried on a blazer and I felt like David Banner when he was about to change into the Incredible Hulk.
YES!!!!!!!!!!
I can’t wear clothes from Zara as a 14+ (remember seeing them in Spain years and years ago), but I’ve never understood (perhaps b/c I’m already in no-woman’s land as far as fashion goes so just getting to be trendy and current is a new privilege for me) why people don’t just pick the clothes that fit them the best and leave it at that.
Again, large sizes have always been part of my adult life, but yeah, depending on what I’m buying and where it’s from, there is enough variation in clothes that sometimes I have to go up or down. Or sometimes just find a tailor. It’s not even consistent among brands so I never assume it will be consistent in different stores.
But does it really break people’s hearts so much when they look perfectly fabulous? You don’t look less hot b/c you wear a small at one store and an XL at another. That is what I cannot wrap my mind around. B/c as a plus-size girl, if someone tells me I look good, it’s clearly not b/c I am passing for a size 8, 10, or 12 (yes, I think size 12’s look great!!)
Plus, if you’ve ever been to Spain, you’d know that the people are kind of munchkins, the men and the women. They aren’t really skinny, they just tend to be really, really, really short, but the Spanish women I’ve known are actually curvy or thickish. But about 5 feet tall.
So I’m kind of surprised if anyone over about 5’3 has consistent luck with them, but the whole issue of having space for your booty and your chest isn’t really new territory. I’m always shocked when I put on shirts that clearly assume no one is bigger than a C cup (and would only work if you were dressing slutty for Halloween).
Extremely. I understand that European cuts are a bit smaller than what we’re used to in the states. But good Lord! I’m a size 9/10 and I often have trouble finding Zara pieces that fit me properly.
Zara used to be my go to store when I lived in Florida. I was able to wear a 6-8 with ease and now I’m like, WTF…. in a 10-12! It’s true that some items are poorly put together but I reinforce buttons and seems because I don’t want to bend over or stretch and have a “christene made a porno” moment. I do like their fabric quality, though. I can often get a high fashion look for a fraction of the cost. Another thing, why no shoes in size 11+? #LeShade
Is Zara’s Sizing Too Small? http://t.co/xYW2iBcy via @StyleNBeautyDoc
Is Zara’s Sizing Too Small? http://t.co/YngrvDo0 via @StyleNBeautyDoc