The Converted

I was invited to try a preview shopping experience at Zara.com. Full disclosure: I often shop at Zara. I find it to be an easy store to navigate. They keep all the ripped denim in one area and the business with a twist in another. And their prices are easy on the bank account. If I’m trying a new trend that I’m not sure about investing my Louboutin money’s worth into, I will find it at Zara.

I’m a pretty skeptical online shopper. First, I don’t look like the model online, so I won’t know if the jacket will hit my thigh at the same spot it does on her. Books and makeup are one thing, but clothes are another. Second, I don’t always have good experiences online. There was that unexpected lump of duty the first time I ever ordered (likely with the launch of the internet). Years later, another site had me on it for two hours looking for that shoe I saw in a magazine, only to get to the final click to say that it didn’t ship that specific shoe to Canada. Another site canceled my order for fear of fraud as the promotion code I was given should have been unique to me, instead it was given to many people that day. And last summer I ordered a pair of sunglasses from a Canadian high-end site, to not get the discount. When I called to request my reduction they couldn’t give it to me, telling me that I would have to order it again and request a cancellation of the first one. But, they couldn’t process it for me. To make up for the bad service I was offered $20 off my next bill – that was my first time (and last) on the site. So shopping online is fashion roulette, really.

Today, I got a keeper: Blazer with gold appliqué on shoulder. Ordered it on Friday, and got it today. Very impressive. It took two weeks for me to get those sunglasses. Shipping was free as my order was over $50, but it’s also free if you get the package sent to your local store. Standard shipping is $5, and express is $10.

Back to my jacket. It is a polyester-elastane blend blazer with no lapels. There’s a short slit in the back and the pockets are faux (dang it). I love, love, love the metal structured shoulders – plus they have shoulder pads, perfect for power dressing. I often will wear a blazer instead of a jacket for spring, so this is a good buy for me.


Heck, why not read more: Two more published stories I wrote  with Zara fashions.

http://www.thespec.com/living/style/article/731036—the-bold-and-the-beautiful

http://www.thespec.com/living/style/article/625355—black-out