4 Reasons Zara Is The Best Store

My shopping proclivities are very strange. I hate going into stores. I hate spending a lot of money. I hate poor quality. This is why Zara is the perfect store for me, and you, and everybody we know. It's really only been in the past few years that Zara has really stepped up its High Street retailed game in order to eclipse all the other jokers out there, the subpar High Street brands that ain't got nothing on their European neighbor. Zara is two steps ahead of everyone else, and not only is she leading the way, she's changing the face of what we expect from High Street fashion.

Both trendy and timeless, Zara is for girls who like fashion but loathe recyclable trends. Don't get me wrong: if metallic is "in" Zara will throw a metallic skirt into the seasonal collection. But unlike other High Street brands, Zara's wardrobe is built around hero pieces, and trend items are treated as cheap and transient. It's a formula that works, especially for more frugal customers like myself. So if all the other stores went into liquidation tomorrow (I was going to say burned down, but that's like, way harsh Tai), and stopped doing business, I would just shrug and get on with it. Because all I need in my life is a little Zara. Here's why.

The Website Is An Editorial Treat

Zara's online store blows everyone else's out of the water. Since the adopted the street style photographer meets The Selby-style of shooting both for their look books and product shots, Zara's set itself up as the leader in digital visuals for the High Street. Moreover, each product shot comes with beautifully styled outfits, which is shit for me because it makes me buy three more things than I intended to, but great for Zara because they made me buy three more things than I intended to.

The Price-To-Quality Ratio Is Incredible

Zara, to me, is affordable. I know some people will think it's expensive, but consider this:

• I bought a leather jacket there for $239
• That's about a quarter of the price you'd pay for a designer leather jacket
• I wear that jacket ALL the time
• The jacket is great quality

Sure, Zara has its fair share of nylon and polyester, but these pieces generally cost less than $40. They also have a big range of real wool, silk and leather products, as well as a "Hand Made" range, all at High Street price points. You could probably pick up fake leather/acrylic/cotton products at other High Street stores for a little bit cheaper, but in my experience, Zara's clothes last far longer than their low prices would imply, so for the quality-to-price ratio you're always winning.

It's Trendy, But Transcends Seasons

As I mentioned in the introduction, Zara isn't trend focus. It takes into consideration the tonality of seasons, like colors, textures and favored silhouettes, but they bring a timelessness to everything. Each season comes with a few throwaway pieces based on runway styles, but overall, Zara's products will stay in your wardrobe without aging from season to season.

It's The Least Stressful High Street Store To Actually Go Into

I can't express to you how much going into stores stresses me out. The High Street is my kryptonite. But Zara, no matter how busy, is always bearable. Maybe it's because the staff, with their secret agent ear pieces, know what's up. They run the shop floor like a well oiled machine. You ask one girl for a size and she instantly radios someone else, and you have an answer in a minute, tops. The staff in the changing rooms are just as efficient at getting customers in and out. The clothes, unlike some other High Street stores (which look like someone just threw their cheating ex's clothes onto the front lawn and pissed all over them), are spaced out nicely (rather than being packed onto bursting racks), and the visual merchandising, like the site, makes you realize you need to buy those other three things as well as the thing you came in for. Everything is clean and lovely, and the best part is they don't pump techno music.

Images: Zara(3); Giphy(2)