I don’t use the adjective “love it or hate it” often since it doesn’t really seem applicable to anything really. I mean, I’m sure there’s someone out there who likes Marmite, who doesn’t find it so repulsive as to loathe it but isn’t quite so keen on its meat-free beefy yeastiness to adore it, either. Er…I digress. The point is I don’t bandy about this term but I’ve found it’s the only one suitable for Spanish retailer Zara.
The mention of the name either induces cronic yawning or yields enthusiastic gushing depending on whether you’re a fan of European-inspired classics infused with a fashion-forward. Funny, really, considering (own opinion here…not saying it’s Gospel…) it’s relatively tame compared to the (often) too trend-oriented zaniness of Topman and most definitely not in the league of dull like stores such as…Penneys (*shudder*…don’t lie girls, it’s good for you and dreariness incarnate for us).
Regardless, I love it and the AW09 collection (thanks to Mat of Buckets and Spades for the tip-off) has led to increased infatuation. Basics (vests, jeans), tailored-staples (double-breasted shirt/jacket hybrid) and utilitarian outerwear – THAT (surely fake(?)…) fur-lined panelled jacket all in blackest-of-black, midnight blue and muted browns and blues. With the weather we’re having here at the moment and clothes like these, September can’t come soon enough.
Screen-caps from Zara
i know! im as impressed as you are, you very right about topman (even as an employee), the trend led stuff is a let down and i think even h&m do it slightly better for the price. the topman LTD stuffs bit more up to the goods though.really liking the looser look, as we have said before about the downfall in skinny. hopefully this stuff will be hitting the shops soon. thanks for the mention!
^ Mat, thank you for the tip-off, I'm ridiculously slow when it comes to regularly checking store-sites. Agree on the LTD front, I'm excited to see more./Male-Mode.com
i really like the stuff in the last picture. zaras great
Thanks for the introduction to Zara…I agree. The classical design lifted into modern sensibilities really delivers beautiful, clean and, dare I say it, elegant results. The blazers and jackets especially catch my eye.
Frederik: And fortunately they're well-cut and last well, too. Though I wouldn't mind if they did do some slightly slimmer blazers some time…/Male-Mode.com