July 07, 2021 at 08:04AM

Hold up—there are actually items Who What Wear UK editors won’t buy from Zara? I know—we can barely believe it ourselves, but it’s true, and today we’re here to share exactly what we prefer not to buy from the fast-fashion retailer. While the “don’t-buy” lists are significantly shorter than the “must-buy” lists, the reasoning behind each editor’s answer is worth hearing out.

Now, we aren’t saying you shouldn’t be purchasing these things from Zara. (Heck, some of the items our editors would rather not buy might be your favourite Zara section, and that’s okay.) In this situation, there’s no right or wrong answer, because at the end of the day, you know we all have an unhealthy obsession with the brand, so who are we to judge? We just thought it would be interesting to find out what these knowledgeable editors steer clear of when it comes to shopping affordably at Zara, in addition to the items they’re eyeing at this exact moment. Read on to find out which items our Who What Wear UK editors would never buy from Zara, plus the items currently on their radar.

“I don’t buy trousers from Zara, as they never fit me! I’m a size 12, and unless they’re stretchy or feature an elastic waistband, it’s a no-go. Although I love the styles on offer, even the size L doesn’t seem to work for me, so rather than make myself feel fed-up, I’ve just stopped even trying them on. Instead, I always opt for dresses, especially those that are fitted at the waist but fuller on the bottom. That kind of silhouette seems to fit my hourglass figure far better when it comes to this store.”

“In my lifetime, I have spent a lot of money on costume jewellery from Zara—big earrings, statement hair accessories and OTT necklaces—but I find it’s better to buy better quality, quieter jewellery that I will wear for years and years, so try to avoid buying jewellery that is too trend-led. Instead, I tend to buy blouses, dresses and blazers from Zara, the latter of which are proving incredibly strong this season.”

“Quite a few people have waxed lyrical about how good Zara denim is, but for some reason, I’ve never quite got on board. Sorry, Zara. I won’t be venturing into your denim department any time soon. Instead, I’d opt for tailored pieces, such as the waistcoats and blazers. It’s also worth delving into the men’s section as you might find some gems there.” 

”Despite what all the other editors above say about Zara denim, I’m very into it. I’m between a size 10 and 12 and find that the brand’s jeans fit me the best of any other high street brand. I do have a few caveats to ensure that they fit my 5’3’’ frame: they need to be of the cropped variety and high waisted to fit properly. 

“In all honesty, there are very few items I won’t buy from Zara—the only thing I can think of is swimwear, which I seldom buy from any high-street store. With my larger bust, Zara’s swimwear is a complete no-go as I find it grossly lacks in support. Right now, though, I can’t seem to help myself when it comes to Zara’s cardigans. In fact, I’ve either already added the below to my wardrobe or have them pending in my digital basket.”

Next up, 7 Zara Outfits That’ll Earn You Instant Compliments

This post was originally published at an earlier time and has since been updated.

Author Maxine Eggenberger | Whowhatwear
Selected by CWC