topic Re: Fast fashion giant Zara in Fashion

Fast fashion giant Zara

songbird — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 11:17:39 GMT

A lot of people don't know abut Zara, but have heard the name. It's the #1 retailer in the world. Zara started way back in 1975 in Spain. the original name was supposed to be Zorba, but they mispronounced it and became Zara. The store invented Fast Fashion. From drawing to being produced and on a hanger less then 2 weeks. Every piece of clothing is mass produced whether it sells or not. Nothing is designed but copied from what is trending. Not only a store, it produces it's own clothing within their own factory. After 2 weeks, anything that is not sold is discarded and the cycle resumes. This system has made clothing very cheap to buy. The idea is to produce what is tending that day and nothing really about fashion design. Since then, many stores have copied the method from Gap, Old Navy, Urban Outfitters etc. Not all stores are like this, but many are influenced by Zara and produce tons of low cost clothing. As a result you will see the poorest people on earth in popular tee shirts, jeans, etc.

Some fashion from Zara. This top costs $13.00

This dress $70.00

Leatherette pans $50.00

Shirt $40.00

Belted Coat $89.00

Belted sequence dress $89.00

coats

Re: Fast fashion giant Zara

Still Stylish Lady — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 11:49:54 GMT

I have a pair of Zara "Faux" leather culottes. They are quite nice and almost like the real thing. Here they are one cool winter Sunday.

Re: Fast fashion giant Zara

haddon9 — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 12:48:23 GMT

The first time I had heard of Zara was about 12 years ago. DH and I were with some friends...another couple ....in Barcelona, Spain when walking along Las Ramblas and there was a large Zara clothing store. We went in to check them out. My impression was they offer clothing that reminded me a bit of H&M or a similar low cost for the twenty something crowd....cheap but some cute things.

There is now a Zara locally. I'm not sure how I feel about "fast fashion" clothing though. What do they do with that discarded clothing?...Trash it, give it to charity or remake items?

Re: Fast fashion giant Zara

songbird — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 12:32:56 GMT

@haddon9 wrote:
The first time I had heard of Zara was about 12 years ago. DH and I were with some friends...another couple ....in Barcelona, Spain when walking along Las Ramblas and there was a large Zara clothing store. We went in to check them out. My impression was they offer clothing that reminded me a bit of H&M or a similar low cost for the twenty something crowd....cheap but some cute things.

There is now a Zara locally. I'm not sure how I feel about "fast fashion" clothing though. What do they do with that discarded clothing?...Trash it, give it to the charity or remake items?

For a while, yeah they trashed it. Now it's recycled (thankfully) but not many versions of Zara are ethical. Forever 21 dumped thier stuff in land fills, etc.

Re: Fast fashion giant Zara

millieshops — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 12:35:58 GMT

@haddon9Thanks for that second paragraph - as I read @songbird 's original post, I kept imagining the waste. Hoping that's not what happens to the leftovers!

Re: Fast fashion giant Zara

songbird — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 12:43:45 GMT

@Still Stylish Lady They are cute! I like them. I have a jacket from Zara too. We have several Zara's near us. I've also ordered from their website. Tons of clothes there!

Re: Fast fashion giant Zara

haddon9 — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 12:50:26 GMT

@songbird wrote:
@haddon9 wrote:
The first time I had heard of Zara was about 12 years ago. DH and I were with some friends...another couple ....in Barcelona, Spain when walking along Las Ramblas and there was a large Zara clothing store. We went in to check them out. My impression was they offer clothing that reminded me a bit of H&M or a similar low cost for the twenty something crowd....cheap but some cute things.

There is now a Zara locally. I'm not sure how I feel about "fast fashion" clothing though. What do they do with that discarded clothing?...Trash it, give it to the charity or remake items?
For a while, yeah they trashed it. Now it's recycled (thankfully) but not many versions of Zara are ethical. Forever 21 dumped thier stuff in land fills, etc.

@songbird Unbelievable waste and so bad for the environment! (Forever 21 .....another fast fashion chain!)

Re: Fast fashion giant Zara

San Antonio Gal — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 13:09:52 GMT

@Still Stylish Lady - As always, you look beautiful - and stylish!

Re: Fast fashion giant Zara

San Antonio Gal — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 13:19:50 GMT

@songbird - You mentioned that the Gap is part of the fast fashion group. I purchase a lot of clothing for my 2 little grand kids from Gap Kids because they've got good quality clothing compared to some other clothing places for kids. Their clothing holds up well after being washed many times.

I also own a few pairs of pants from the Gap and they are good quality pants that I've worn over the years.

Re: Fast fashion giant Zara

songbird — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 14:09:05 GMT

@San Antonio Gal It only recently adapted to fast Fashion. They were suffering from a bad sales slump and closing stores. So they reorganized. I have stuff from the Gap. Some are good, some are horrible. Years ago I purchased one jean for $7.00 on sale. The original price was $19.95. A week later it developed a hole in an unfashionable part of the body. So I trashed it.

Re: Fast fashion giant Zara

songbird — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 14:14:25 GMT

Some people get the idea that Fast Fashion & Zara are bad quality. They're not. They are just like other places. Some good, some bad. If you want clothes that are cheap in price, you shop at Zara. So many women here are complaining about the cost of clothes.

Re: Fast fashion giant Zara

ILTH — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 14:21:58 GMT

@songbird wrote:
Nothings is designed but copied from what is trending.

This dress $70.00

Leatherette pans $50.00
Shirt $40.00

Belted Coat $89.00

Belted sequence dress $89.00

coats

That's why most of their coats are beautiful. They copy the best.

I've never bought from them, so I can't say anything about their quality. The prices of their coats seem to be what you'd pay for good (normally average priced - $300-600) coats on steep sale at the end of the season.

Re: Fast fashion giant Zara

songbird — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 14:32:52 GMT

@ILTH Their coats are exceptional! That's what I buy from them.

If you go to wikipedia and google fast fashion they will show a list as long as my arm of stores are are "fast fashion" Some of the store names will surprise you.

Re: Fast fashion giant Zara

Vivian — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 15:03:49 GMT

My oldest granddaughter has a model’s figure...long and lean. I introduced her to Zara’s years ago. She continues to buy her clothes from them. She’s quite chic and stylish, unlike her grandmother.

Re: Fast fashion giant Zara

ILTH — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 15:10:17 GMT

@songbird wrote:
@ILTH Their coats are exceptional! That's what I buy from them.

If you go to wikipedia and google fast fashion they will show a list as long as my arm of stores are are "fast fashion" Some of the store names will surprise you.

I doubt it. Even labels aren't what/who they used to be.

Re: Fast fashion giant Zara

Foxxee — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 20:52:41 GMT

I find this retailer fascinating. I was amazed at the high quality of the classic style blazers and jackets I purchased...at a price other retailers would charge two, three times that. Sizing is consistent, too.

Then, I saw their clothing is not made in China...instead Zara has its own manufacturing facilities where the majority is made...in their back yard, Spain & Portugal. Both countries have excellent reputations for making clothing and shoes. They also make clothing in Turkey and Morocco.

Cutting out the middleman saves money and they have control over quality.

They also use a lot of natural fabrics and natural/synthetic combinations. Warning...most is not wash and wear.

As with any retailer, I don't like everything, but very surprised at how many classic styles they carry. They may copy the best designs, but other retailers with their own brands do too.

Re: Fast fashion giant Zara

I1ST5XS — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 20:58:45 GMT

the models all look real depressed but the fashion beats anything on the Q! LOL! We have a Zara at our neighborhood shopping center. It’s ok.

Re: Fast fashion giant Zara

Greeneyedlady21 — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 21:04:08 GMT

Queen Letizia wears Zara, it's good enough for her. I've never purchased from them but I've seen many things I liked.

Re: Fast fashion giant Zara

suzyQ3 — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 21:08:53 GMT

"As a result you will see the poorest people on earth in popular tee shirts, jeans, etc."

I found this last sentence in the opening post to be somewhat odd.

Re: Fast fashion giant Zara

Chi-town girl — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 21:15:46 GMT

@Foxxee wrote:

I find this retailer fascinating. I was amazed at the high quality of the classic style blazers and jackets I purchased...at a price other retailers would charge two, three times that. Sizing is consistent, too.

Then, I saw their clothing is not made in China...instead Zara has its own manufacturing facilities where the majority is made...in their back yard, Spain & Portugal. Both countries have excellent reputations for making clothing and shoes. They also make clothing in Turkey and Morocco.

Cutting out the middleman saves money and they have control over quality.

They also use a lot of natural fabrics and natural/synthetic combinations. Warning...most is not wash and wear.

As with any retailer, I don't like everything, but very surprised at how many classic styles they carry. They may copy the best designs, but other retailers with their own brands do too.

Me too @Foxxee - Zara have shopped there for several years. Great price points, wearable contemporary designs and I haven't had any issues related to sizing or quality. They provide good details and photos.