In terms of Spanish fast-fashion retailers, I prefer MANGO to ZARA. It's too bad the Mango stores…read morein Canada closed but at least they are open online for Canadian customers. Unlike other countries where there's Mango and Zara everywhere. And I'll take Zara any day over H&M, Forever 21 or horror of horrors, Le Chateau.
I've been to Zara stores in London, Rome, Athens, Crete, Ankara, Antalya, Washington DC, Paris and Brussels and it's the same craziness everywhere, frantic, crazed women grabbing poorly-made clothes as if they were Burmese rubies or Colombian emeralds.
In the early 2000's Zara's quality was far, far better as you could really find good stuff but with global expansion, quality has taken a hit unfortunately. What I do is I scan their website first, if there's something I REALLY like, I'll go into the store to try it on (the Zara at Rockland or Fairview is easier than the downtown location) if it fits well, is half decently constructed, then I'll go online and buy it there.
Their leather shoes and boots are still decent and if you're diligent you can still find the odd gem like I do from time to time in the form of a David Bowie as Ziggy Stardust t-shirt, black suede loafers with punk-ish metal studs, butterfly- shaped mod sunglasses, steel-toe capped combat boots, Chelsea boots, packable windbreaker that becomes a bag and can be used as a pillow like the old K-ways from the 80's ( a lifesaver while traveling, trust me)
