If you were to ask any fashion girl to rattle off some of her go-to shops, nine out of 10 would undoubtedly include Zara on her list. Honestly, we’re right there too. The fast-fashion mecca stocks some of the most forward, on-trend items that look designer—sans designer price tags. While Zara carries sizes S through L in most stores and online, the brand doesn’t stock as many pieces in XL and up. In fact, to help impact change, one Spanish teenager recently created a petition, calling on the retailer to start selling more sizes in its stores. After that, Zara started to expand its size range. To dig a little deeper into this matter, we went straight to some of our favorite bloggers to get their thoughts on how well Zara does plus-size and get their tricks for navigating the brand if you’re not a size 2.
Keep scrolling for the ultimate guide on how to plus-size shop at Zara, including tips from three It bloggers. Plus, go a bit further to check out some of our favorite finds on the site right now that are available up to an XL.
WHO WHAT WEAR: Is there a certain clothing category that works best for you at Zara?
TANESHA AWASTHI: My go-tos are the outerwear and knit sections. Outerwear is always made slightly oversize to accommodate layering underneath, even when the silhouette isn’t literally oversize, so I tend to have luck there! And knits typically contain stretch, so that’s another section I always make sure to check out.”
WWW: Is there a certain collection that’s better to shop?
TA: Definitely the main line, as I find TRF runs small and often stops at a size medium.
WWW: Do you often find your size range in the actual store?
TA: My upper body is smaller than my lower half, so I can typically fit a size XL in outerwear and tops, but not everything is made that large, so I often have to resort to stretch fabrics or an oversize-fit silhouette. For skirts, though, I get really excited when brands nix a zipper for an elastic waistband, which often makes the garment a one-size-fits-all!
WWW: So is it better to shop online or in person?
TA: I find the online selection has more to offer in terms of sizes, since the largest (and the smallest) sizes tend to go first in-store. But following size charts and understanding fabrics can be tricky, so I visit the store on occasion and try on a variety of fabrics and silhouettes.
WHO WHAT WEAR: Is there a certain clothing category that works best for you at Zara?
MARGIE ASHCROFT: I have a love and hate relationship with Zara. I absolutely love the designs and price point but hate that I can rarely find the garments I want in my size range. When shopping at a straight-size store like Zara, I immediately keep an eye out for anything flowy and anything with stretch. Beyond the always stylish one-size-fits-all accessories, I have the best luck finding tops and dresses. Especially during the spring and summer seasons, brands are offering a lot more shifts and off-the-shoulder tops that typically have a more forgiving cut and fabric. Plus, most of the skirts are structured, so you can sometimes find options with elastic waistbands that work for a wider range of sizes.
Tip: Don’t be afraid to shop the men’s department! Since there are a lot of gender-neutral trends right now, I recently found an amazing bomber jacket in the men’s department that fits perfectly.
WWW: Is there a certain collection that’s better to shop?
MA: Though I have been able to make pieces for TRF work for plus-size, Zara’s main line tends to include more garments with stretch and the extended XXL size range.
WWW: Do you often find your size range in the actual store?
MA: I have not yet to see my size range at any physical locations.
WWW: So is it better to shop online or in person?
MA: When it comes to Zara, I shop both online and in-store. I love the convenience of shopping online, but I am a big believer of physically trying on the clothing to see how it works on your body prior to purchase. Since I am a size 16 and the brand generally only goes up to a size large in-store, navigating Zara as a plus-size woman is never easy. Excitingly enough, Zara now sells a limited range of garments in a size XXL online—although the larger options are not available in-store, the brand offers an arrangement of oversize cuts that I am able to stylize for my curves.
WHO WHAT WEAR: Is there a certain clothing category that works best for you at Zara?
FRANCETA JOHNSON: Zara has the best accessories, hands down, so that’s a great place to start. When it comes to clothing, I usually just factor in the fabric and cut. Things that are stretchy, drape, and/or are oversize. Oversize shirts, oversize tunics and/or dresses, long jackets—oversize is code for "fits a little larger,” and that’s exactly what we’re looking for: more space.
WWW: Is there a certain collection that’s better to shop?
FJ: I don’t pay too much attention anything but the size when I am shopping at Zara. Size L and XL, sturdy fabric, and pretty patterns I can’t find anywhere else.
WWW: Do you often find your size range in the actual store?
FJ: Zara is one of my regular stops in any mall, but I rarely leave with anything because of their incredibly small fit. I recently lost a ton of weight, and I thought shopping at Zara would be a breeze, but unfortunately, I sift through sections for larges and pray I stumble across an XL that day. But if I do find that piece that works for me at Zara, chances are it will become an immediate staple in my wardrobe.
WWW: So is it better to shop online or in person?
FJ: In person, 100%. I like to feel the fabric, test the zippers, look at the stitching, try the items on. Zara is far too hit-and-miss for me to order from them online.
Shop Zara pieces:
You can’t go wrong with a classic trench.
We’d pair this top with some chic white trousers.
Every girl needs a bomber jacket in her closet this fall.
Related: 5 Trends That Will Be Huge This Fall, From Zara
Remember that striped top above? These would go great with it.
This is such a pretty blouse for work.
It’s the embroidered detail that makes this coat unique.
Related: Only Zara Could Convince You to Try This Unusual Look
You’ll want to live in these trousers.
Imagine these with distressed jeans. So cute.
What are your tricks for navigating larger Zara sizes? We want to know in the comments below!
Opening Image: @AliceCupcake99
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