Thanks everyone for your perceptive comments about the items I had ordered from Zara. I have almost decided to return everything except the little floral blazer.
My reasoning:
The high-low Japanese print top: I feel what Marley felt about it on herself -- the coral in the print feels wrong for my complexion and while I like the shape of the top, in theory, the fabric and perhaps print of this particular one makes it a bit too boxy, as several of you said.
The cream lace top shell: too boho and too young. And too wrinkle-prone.
The dark blue kimono: while i love it in theory, IRL it feels too bathrobe-like on the arms. (I think Nancylee is going to rock this one!) Also, I am not sure that I'd wear it often enough to justify the cost, especially since I already have the black kimono jacket in my closet and that one seemed to pair pretty well with quite a lot of my tops and bottoms and dresses.
The light kimono: this is the one I am most torn about. I am ambivalent about the print (for me). And it's polyester. Yet I really love the cut, and no question, I can see myself wearing it. So I'm still slightly on the fence with this. Anyone want to persuade me in either direction? (Pics again below).
Thing is, if this trend has any legs, I'll bet Zara will come out with another that I like even better quite soon, know what I mean?
The quality rant, surprisingly, does not have to do with Zara. It concerns my striped drapey tshirt from Loft. Worn today for the first time (barring try-ons) and it has a small hole in it already!! There is no way I caused that hole; it has not been washed, and I did nothing except drive in a car while I was wearing it. I'm not sure I have the receipt any more, either. I figured I was keeping it, so why bother keeping? Ugh.
