Zara

Profile

Each season, this affordable, fast-fashion retailer from Spain rolls out trendy, versatile collections with a global appeal. With stores in more than 50 countries, the Zara aesthetic focuses on chic, well-tailored items, many of which pay homage to runway looks by designers like Chanel, Calvin Klein, and Louis Vuitton. At each airy, split-level boutique, shoppers find sculptured blazers, slim trousers, and ethnic-edged pieces like breezy boho-chic tops and safari skirts for women; men can browse through the excellent selection of suiting, dress shirts, and knitwear. While most of the stock tends toward dressier, office-appropriate styles, casual sportswear like shorts, hoodies, and tees, as well as seasonal outerwear, occupies a solid chunk of the selling floor. — Carolyn Murnick