ZARA and Massimo Dutti Summer Sale
Zara is to GAP as Massimo Dutti is to Banana Republic. Kinda. In Spain. Okay, and all across Europe plus a good swath of Asia as well. But they’re just really starting to gain momentum here in the states. Zara has 44 stores in the U.S. Among their over 1700 worldwide locations, there are 127 Zara stores in France, 42 in South Korea, and 39 in Brazil. So while their reach is global, they’re not obsessing over the US market.
A couple of things to consider:
- The cuts are very European in style. Jackets are short, and slim fits a real trim. Like, consider sizing up for once.
- Quality is… so-so. This stuff isn’t Bullet Proof, but the Massimo Dutti selections are a step up from the sometimes “mneh” feel of Zara garments. But know that people have had mixed results with how the goods hold up.
- Shipping is free both ways. Yes indeed. Free returns. They’re trying to get US customers to give them a shot.
- The online shopping experience is a little clunky. Their sites feel like a translated version of their Spanish sites, so expect some lost in translation moments.
UPDATE: This was published late yesterday (6/26) and prices on many of these items dropped over night. Those have been updated, but know that sizing also got scarce on plenty of items, mainly the blazers.
Zara Suede Single Monk Strap – $59.99 ($99.90)
Sixty? To wear with jeans or darker trousers this summer? Uh, sure. Might take these for an in person spin. See how long they hold up.
Zara Brown Cotton Gingham Blazer – $69.99 ($99.00)
Sorta like this one from J. Crew, only massively cheaper, and in a less table-cloth like brown gingham. Take a look at the sleeve buttons though, there’s a contrasting one in there thrown in for flair.
Zara Double Breasted 50% Linen / 50% Cotton Blazer – $79.00 ($189.00)
BUDGET DANDY. No, seriously. If you’re not a beginner, and you’re not a total minimalist… maybe this with some jeans? You’d either look really good, or really… clownish. Nice looking 50/50 fabric blend, and it doesn’t look like it has much of a lining to it at all. Once you get to the product page, you can scroll down for further shots.
M.D. Nubuck Longwing – $99.90 ($175)
Not bad for just over a hundred bucks. Looks a touch like Florsheim’s Veblen. But don’t expect the Veblen’s build feel. The color is labeled “Green” but it looks like its got brown tones in there, so it’s not full Kermit the Frog.
M.D. Cotton/Linen Bomber – $89.90 ($145)
Woulda been nice if they could have shown how long the jacket actually is (it looks folded/smushed up around the models waist?)
Leather “Briefcase” – $99.00 ($169)
Less of a briefcase and more of a portfolio/document brief. A pretty specific piece with limited use. Also, anyone else got concerns about how this thing stays closed? Risky at best.
M.D. Tasseled Moc – $119.00 ($198)
One of the more conservative looks on the Massimo Dutti site. The vamp is neither short nor long, and the apron toe stitching doesn’t look too bulky. A risk.
M.D. Suede Ankle Boot in Navy or Tan – $94.90 ($175)
Cheap suede always trumps cheap leather. Nice looking shape to these two boots. Slightly different in style and stitching, but each have potential.
Zara 70% Wool / 30% Mohair Houndstooth Blazer – $79.00 ($229)
One of the least risky-looking pieces in the sale. Button stance is right in the middle, and the tail doesn’t look too chopped in the pics. Lapels aren’t too skinny either. Felt under collar. Nice fabric composition for the exterior.
Zara Suede Tassel Moc – $49.99 ($89.90)
For the tassel curious who want to give a pair a shot, but don’t want to spend much to do so. Try them whenever you’d wear boat shoes.
M.D. 60% Wool / 30% Cotton Needlecord Blazer – $179.00 ($265)
With Banana Republic blazers being exempt from almost all discounting lately, is now the time to give Massimo Dutti’s sportcoats a try? Patch pockets with one slash ticket pocket. Looks awfully good… but about that length?
M.D. Long Sleeve Cotton Polo – $29.90 ($69.90)
Not everyone has a place in their wardrobe for a long sleeve polo. And that’s understandable. Most of them are bulky pique polos, that feel sweater heavy. Not sure on this one, but it looks a bit sleeker and smoother. Potential, but in case it’s a mess, there’s that free returns option.
Zara Office Brief – $79.99 ($129)
Looks great! … From here. Not leather. Polyurethane. Hm.
Your turn guys. Gotta lean on you for in depth experience with Zara and Massimo Dutti stuff. Is it worth it? With reasonable careful care, will these things last? And what about fits? Pretty trim right? Leave it all below.
I was all about getting this one, marked down to $49 until I realized it wasn’t leather. In the situations I would need a leather briefcase, I would feel self conscious carrying a pleather one. Looks nice up close, but real leather doesn’t shine like that. On looks alone I’d say go for it. http://www.zara.com/us/en/man/bags/business/classic-briefcase-c434646p1084039.html
Was looking forward to this sale and even knew about it in advance. Yet everything I was looking at was sold out in my size. Err.
The zara sale started online last week…..I got some sweet slim fit shirts for 39$
Word of warning: I tried on some blazers at the store here on Michigan ave and the fits are ALL over the place…
I was an xl in most thinks at 6’2 190 and athletic…Shoulders were a problem….
Slim shirts i’m a L
Extra slim Fit shirt XL..
I have the gingham blazer. Fabric is thin, sleeves are lined, body is only lined along the upper back. Ticket pocket and side vents are nice. As far as fit I wear 40R in the J. Crew Factory jackets and get the body taken in a little and sleeves shortened 1-1.5″; I bought this one in size 40 and also took the body in a little, but the sleeves needed to get shortened several inches. Off the rack, the sleeves covered half of my thumb.
I do like the jacket a lot and I’m planning on wearing the jacket a lot for summer nights.
Lesson learned: cheap suede is never a good idea. Shell out for something better. My recommendation is the Loake Pimlico. Can be had for under $225. Expensive, but handmade in England of Italian leather.
You should try out the Massimo Dutti sale. I think Massimo Dutti has better looking options than Zara.
Suede Tassel Loafer
http://www.massimodutti.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/duttius/en/massimoduttins/678590/2247505/SUEDE%2BMOCCASIN%2BWITH%2BTASSELS
If you look carefully, the attache is held closed by a tack of some sort.
Hmm. Really jonesing the look of that Office Brief, but that poly material is a concern, no doubt. Not sure about that one.
The gingham blazer is actually $69.99 and the houndstooth is $79.99, Joe. They may have dropped since you wrote this up. I picked up a gingham. We’ll see how it fits. I’ve almost given up on anything but the BR tailored fit stuff, only because they’re the only ones that seem to fit my shoulders.
I was in Spain in March, and I picked up that navy bomber at Massimo Dutti. I’m 5’9-5’10, 160 lbs, and the medium was the best fir for me. It is a bit chopped, but if you’re into that look, it looks and fits great. There are 2 sets of buttons around back that can be adjusted for a slimmer look if you’d like. I get plenty of compliments while wearing it (the leather piping really sets it apart), and its a great piece for mid-late spring/early fall weather. I was impressed with the overall quality of the clothing at the MD stores, and I’ve heard they have a location in NYC (haven’t been yet). I’m excited to see what else they have on sale.
I’ve had multiple cheap suede shoes. My BRs from last summer are showing no signs of giving up anytime soon: http://dappered.com/2012/07/long-term-test-banana-republic-blue-suedes/
Also wear these at least twice a week, usually sockless, and just replaced the insoles: http://dappered.com/2011/07/mike-konos-suedes-long-term-field-test-update/
Love the looks of those Loakes though.
Yep. Looks like they dropped a bunch of stuff overnight. Checked on all the picks, updated above. And great catch. Many thanks. Good luck with that blazer. And hey, if it doesn’t work, the return shipping is pretty easy.
We have a Zara here in SF, although the mens sections is kind of small. I’ve had mixed results with their cloths and sizes do tend to be all over the place. Also, unless you have very long arms get ready to either cuff those jackets or get them shortened, as they tend to run long in the arm. Having said that, you had me at free shipping both ways. I ordered one of all of their blazers and the monk straps. We’ll see how it goes.
Does Massimo Dutti have as slim a fit as Zara?
Haven’t had an issue with the length of jacket sleeves, actually. The fit for me is generally spot on, though quality can vary a bit depending on the piece. I have an unstructured blazer that fits great but the lining in the arms is loose enough that it pulls past the wrist when I put it on.
Also, the fit of the pants is all over the map. Sometimes it’s fantastic, other times I’m left wondering what species they’re trying to dress.
Anything you’d recommend to keep dark suede looking good?