Tonality

DSC_7015

Dress: Oak + Fort; Trench: Zara; Boots: Sam Edelman (similar); Bag: Mansur Gavriel

I, like many others, was a Zara addict. I would spend most of my money on fast fashion, and had the saving capability equivalent to the brain of a goldfish, in other words, none at all. Then, over the summer, something wonderful and terrifying happened. The Zara at my local mall shut down for renovations. I had a panic attack, expressed my horror to the concierge service at said mall, and came home to cry a little. What happened over the next few months was nothing short of a miracle. I stopped shopping at Zara. It was a gradual thing. I started off going to another location and shopping online, but over time, I began to visit other stores increasingly, until Zara became a distant memory.

Then, last month, it reopened. Initially, I was gleeful to see the return of my beloved old friend. The place I frequented more often than the bathroom. However, oddly enough, I had no inclination to even go inside, let alone buy something. Over the last few months, I’ve realized that going on a Zara diet was quite possibly the healthiest thing I’ve done for my personal style. Ever since I stopped buying into every new trend, mostly because it was so accessible, I found my own style and realized I no longer cared for fast fashion. Today, after being confident in my own style, I finally visited Zara and purchased two items, both of which fit my restrained aesthetic perfectly. One of them is this suede trench coat which I know will match most things in my closet. I stayed away from the lace and bold patterns which I know I’d never wear past a season. So if you’re trying to find your style, or aren’t sure where you truly belong, I highly suggest a temporary Zara diet, you’d be surprised at the results.

DSC_7035DSC_7007    DSC_7058DSC_7028DSC_6938

Follow:

74 Comments

  1. December 13, 2015 / 11:14 am

    Gorgeous look! I love Zara but ironically I don’t own anything from Zara. I use to, but I stopped buying their clothes one day for no reason at all and haven’t purchased anything in over 3 years….is strange! Lol I guess I find myself going into Nordstrom and not having time or the money to go anywhere else.
    -Shell, acourageousbeauty.com

    • December 14, 2015 / 6:55 pm

      It’s a good thing! When you buy from Nordstrom you’re opting for investment pieces that’ll last you for much longer! xo

  2. sanssouci
    December 13, 2015 / 11:49 am

    Love your chic earthy look, your dress is amazing and love how you styled it with the coat and boots!
    http://www.sanssouci.website

    • December 14, 2015 / 6:55 pm

      Thanks lovely! Glad you like the look 🙂 xo

    • December 14, 2015 / 6:54 pm

      Thanks Violette, hope you’re having a great Monday! xo

  3. December 13, 2015 / 1:30 pm

    I love the short dress with the thigh high boots! Such a great look 🙂 Love the blanket scarf too!
    xo Kiki
    http://colormekiki.com/

    • December 14, 2015 / 6:54 pm

      So happy you like it 🙂 xo

    • December 14, 2015 / 6:54 pm

      Thanks girl! xo

    • December 14, 2015 / 6:54 pm

      Thanks Lynne, so glad you like it! xo

  4. December 13, 2015 / 7:05 pm

    Love the entire look! So chic. And Your hair is amazing.
    Xo, Raysa

    • December 14, 2015 / 6:53 pm

      Thanks Raysa, you’re too sweet! xo

    • December 14, 2015 / 6:53 pm

      Thanks girl! xo

  5. December 14, 2015 / 1:42 am

    Such a great look! Love your style!
    Love,
    Kisses and hugs from http://www.trangscorner.com {a lifestyle, fashion, beauty, and food blog}

    • December 14, 2015 / 6:53 pm

      Thanks Tran! Hope you’re having a wonderful Monday! xo

    • December 14, 2015 / 6:53 pm

      Thanks love! Hope you’re having a wonderful week so far! xo

  6. December 14, 2015 / 3:27 am

    This outfit is beautiful and I need that scarf in my life immediately! You’re making me wish I was having a cold Christmas … damn Australia!

    Ashleigh x
    http://www.ashleighdmello.com

    • December 14, 2015 / 6:52 pm

      Haha I would gladly trade weather conditions with you any day! xo

  7. Diana B.
    December 14, 2015 / 4:48 am

    Love your outfit especially that knee high boots!
    Have a nice day!

    • December 14, 2015 / 6:52 pm

      It was a great buy – so versatile! xo

    • December 14, 2015 / 6:51 pm

      I’m sure it’s just about finding the right pair! xo

    • December 14, 2015 / 6:51 pm

      Thanks love! xo

  8. December 14, 2015 / 9:46 am

    Love this outfit! The coat is gorgeous! I definitely know what you mean about detoxing Zara, I try to only buy purchase really versatile pieces that will last through seasons when shopping there!

    Emily x

    http://shedoes.com.au

    • December 14, 2015 / 6:51 pm

      That’s the smart way to do it! xo

    • December 14, 2015 / 6:51 pm

      Thanks girl! xo

  9. December 14, 2015 / 12:10 pm

    This is an amazing outfit! I love how the scarf is so large, billowy, and modern looking. You styled this great with neutral colors and those boots!

    http://www.districthilo.com

    Love, Mary

    • December 14, 2015 / 6:51 pm

      Thanks Mary, so glad you like it! xo

  10. December 14, 2015 / 12:36 pm

    Okay soooo much YES to this post! Aside from the fact that you look fabulous (I really love that scarf!) I love what you are saying about taking a “diet” from fast fashion (Zara in particular). It’s really cleansing to take a break from shopping in general (that’s actually what the last post on my blog is about!) and I think it’s really so refreshing and helpful in so many ways! Again, loves this post!

    <(') Hoda | JooJoo Azad, a fashion + social action blog

    • December 14, 2015 / 6:50 pm

      Glad you liked reading it Hoda! I think sometimes a break from fast fashion is really necessary to detox your wardrobe! xo

  11. December 14, 2015 / 12:59 pm

    Nice style with the long trench coata nd otk boots. I am eyeing on your arm party too.
    Xo, Christianne
    http://simplychristianne.com

    • December 14, 2015 / 6:49 pm

      Glad you like it! xo

  12. December 14, 2015 / 1:02 pm

    Obsessed with this entire look! One of my favorites on you, Siffat! You are beautiful <3

    http://www.SHVETA.com

    • December 14, 2015 / 6:49 pm

      Thanks my gorgeous friend! xo

  13. December 14, 2015 / 2:09 pm

    Totally love the scarf and the jewels. The funny thing is, I never shopped at Zara until this year, really. The first half of this year I shopped there all the time and I loved it. For me, I used Zara to buy a lot of neutrals and basics. I think they are really good for that (like your trench). I never bought any of the patterned things from there. I haven’t shopped there in months now, but I feel like I need to go back because I’m drawn to their neutrals.

    • December 14, 2015 / 6:49 pm

      They do have great neutrals which is what I love. It’s just easy to get sucked into the fast fashion trap because you’r sort of overwhelmed with the variety you have, but if you’re a smart shopper that can easily be avoided! xo

  14. December 14, 2015 / 3:54 pm

    You look gorgeous, Siffat! I love the entire look, you have some really great pieces in this look, girlie! A similar situation happened to me, but not with a particular store. I just stopped shopping for a while and began working with more pieces that I have in my current wardrobe and began to get creative in mixing and matching 🙂 Thanks for sharing, beautiful, and I hope you’re having a wonderful day 🙂

    XO,

    Jalisa
    http://www.thestylecontour.com

    • December 14, 2015 / 6:48 pm

      Honestly, I think a lot of the times it’s just about taking a step back and reevaluating what you have and what you need! xo

  15. December 14, 2015 / 4:05 pm

    This is such a stunning look! Love your blanket scarf paired with that amazing jacket. I also love all of your stacked bracelets! Very pretty! Thank you for sharing and have a wonderful week ahead!

    http://www.laurenfarrellny.com/blog

    • December 14, 2015 / 6:47 pm

      Thanks Lauren, so glad you like the look! xo

    • December 14, 2015 / 6:47 pm

      Thanks love! xo

  16. Monika
    December 14, 2015 / 5:38 pm

    I think that you can really discover yourself when you have to think outside the box. For you searching through other stores instead of Zara helped you to think about what you really wanted style wise and I think that’s a great thing. Sometimes we think a situation is awful but in reality it’s exactly the push we need.

    -M
    http://www.violetroots.com

    • December 14, 2015 / 6:47 pm

      I couldn’t agree more. I think I would have been stuck in the same style rut had it not been for that store closure! xo

  17. December 14, 2015 / 5:55 pm

    Head to toe gorgeous!! Love these pictures! What a model material!! Super fab girl! Happy Monday!
    Much love, Len
    http://www.lenparent.com

    • December 14, 2015 / 6:46 pm

      Thanks Len, you’re always so sweet! xo

  18. December 14, 2015 / 6:43 pm

    That is so true about Zara and other fast fashion stores. We don’t have a Zara here in St. Louis and I don’t know what would happen to my budget if we did. But I definitely agree buying more classic pieces from these stores is a better idea than buying the trendier items. Love the way you styled your scarf. And I have a feeling that slick suede trench is going to get a lot of mileage.

    xx Yasmin
    http://banglesandbungalows.com

    • December 14, 2015 / 6:46 pm

      You’re actually quite lucky you don’t have a Zara, I’m sure you’re more conscious of what you purchase instead of mindless shopping. xo

    • December 15, 2015 / 7:25 pm

      Thanks love, glad you like it! xo

  19. December 14, 2015 / 10:28 pm

    I was literally JUST eyeing that trench at Zara this weekend, it’s gorgeous! I’m so jealous you snagged it up!

    xoxo http://www.touchofcurl.com

    • December 15, 2015 / 7:26 pm

      You should get it! xo

  20. December 14, 2015 / 11:04 pm

    LOVE this look… it is so true too about fast fashion. I recently watched the documentary ‘The True Cost’ it basically is all about fast fashion and how it impacts the world as well as our pockets… it’s a must watch!

    http://www.playingwithapparel.com

    • December 15, 2015 / 7:26 pm

      Oooh, sounds interesting! I’ll have to check it out! xo

    • December 15, 2015 / 7:45 pm

      Thanks Valerie! xo

  21. whiteandcapsule
    December 15, 2015 / 6:10 am

    Completely obsessed with these Sam Edelman boots I’ve been eyeing off the grey ones of his. Looking so fab and chic as always babe. Perfect winter look. Merry Christmas as well and happy holidays

    http://www.whiteandcapsule.com

    Xxxx

    • December 15, 2015 / 7:45 pm

      Thanks babe! You should get them, we can match haha! xo

  22. December 15, 2015 / 9:26 pm

    I love this grid blanket scarf. And that bucket bag is fab!

    xo,
    Abby of Life in the Fash Lane

    • December 17, 2015 / 7:23 pm

      Thanks love! xo

  23. theemasphere
    December 19, 2015 / 4:11 am

    Finding your own style is definitely rewarding! Sounds like the Zara detox did the trick babes, no matter how hard I can imagine it would have been at first ;)! I do have to say I really love the trench though, so definitely allow yourself to Zara-it-up for one off pieces like that! You also can’t go wrong with over the knee boots, they instantly glam up an outfit! Xx

    http://www.theemasphere.com

    • December 20, 2015 / 9:55 am

      So glad you like the look, Emma! I totally allow myself the occasional Zara now that I know I can go to the store and control myself lol!

  24. July 30, 2016 / 10:10 am

    Those thigh highs are killing me, they’re amazing! I love all of the tones of this look as well, the colour combination is definitely something I’d love to emulate.

    http://www.thesundaymode.com

Let’s Be Friends