Last Updated on October 8, 2023
Wondering what those circles, triangles and squares on Zara labels mean? You’ve come to the right place. We all know that sizing of high street brands is never simple; while it should be universal, it just isn’t. A size 10 in H&M might be a size 12 in Zara, so the best way to find out if something fits is just to try it on – but could there be another way?
You might have noticed some random shapes on Zara’s clothing labels. It’s easy to miss them but some TikTokers have discovered circles, triangles, and squares on their Zara clothes labels and offered up an explanation about what they could really mean.
Yep, these seemingly random shapes could help you work out which size to pick when shopping, reducing the time you spend in the changing rooms.If true, this would be particularly useful when shopping in-store, as you won’t have to try on the same item in different sizes. If shopping online, you might need to squint to find the label!
So what do they mean and how can they help you find the right size? Here’s what you need to know.
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What do Zara labels mean?
Despite rumours that the shapes in Zara’s clothing labels offer size guidance, they actually help staff place the clothing in the right place in stores. A spokesperson quashed rumours that triangles, circles and squares refer to whether an item runs small, true to size or large, telling Metro: “These symbols reference specific sections within the store to support colleagues in knowing where to place items.
“Regarding the collections – circle: woman, square: basic and triangle: TRF.”
That said, a stylist told OK! magazine: “TRF comes up slightly smaller, Zara woman does come up a little on the generous/ true to size, and Zara basic is just basic and is true to size.”
By this logic, you could say that seeing a circle on a label will mean an item will be generous or true to size, a square means it’s true to size and a triangle shape will mean it comes up small.
These shapes can also tell you which section you’re buying from, so if you notice that all of your items have triangles in the label, perhaps this might help you pick the pieces that suit your style best going forward.
The rumours originally started via TikTok, when account lucyc.jpeg shared a video that claims there’s secret clothing symbols on Zara’s labels. They suggest that a grey square on your label means you should go for your normal size at Zara, while a triangle means that you should size up as these pieces run smaller. Other users have also suggested a circle means the item runs large, so you should size down to achieve the best fit.
As this theory can be quite confusing, I’d suggest trying on items before buying at Zara to avoid any confusion or disappointment when shopping.
Is Zara true to size?
It’s generally believed that Zara’s sizes are on the small side, so it’s better to size up to achieve the best fit when shopping online or trying items on. I find that some womenswear pieces can be true to size depending on which section you’re shopping from, but it varies hugely which can be confusing at best, or infuriating at worst.
I find from personal experience that the best method for achieving the right fit is always just to try the items on IRL or to order more than one size to ensure you’re not left disappointed. This is an expensive habit though, as Zara doesn’t accept Klarna.
What’s my size in Zara?
If you can’t be bothered to pop into a Zara store and would prefer not to order more sizes and spending more money than you need to, you should try Zara’s handy tool that helps shoppers work out their sizes when shopping online.
On every clothing item online, Zara has a size measuring tool that provides every size in measurements. You can simply click a size, ranging from XXS to XXL, to find out the exact measurement of the garment.
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What is size M in Zara clothes?
Zara’s clothes are available in sizes XS – XL, although most products are only available in sizes S-L on the website so it takes a bit of searching to find other sizes. I’m a size 10 and usually get a size S or size M in Zara, so a size M in Zara is around a 10-12.
Should you size up in Zara jeans?
I’ve personally found that Zara jeans fit as expected, but this will vary for different body shapes. I’m a size 10 and always buy size 10 jeans in Zara, but the fit will vary depending on your waist and leg size. I find the waistband is a little loose for me and the legs fit well, but it might be different for you.
If you find your Zara jeans are too big, I don’t recommend putting them in the dryer to shrink them. While yes, they may seem a little smaller temporarily, this is actually damaging for the denim and will reduce their lifespan dramatically.
Does Zara do plus size?
Zara doesn’t offer plus size clothing. Its pieces are usually available from size XXS (UK 6) to XXL (UK 18), but the largest and smallest sizes are usually available in fewer quantities, so sell out quickly. Read more about shopping Zara if you’re plus size.
Is Zara size inclusive?
Zara has improved its size range, but as mentioned they don’t stock plus sizes. The brand didn’t carry larger sizes at all in the past, but a Spanish teenager named Anna Riera launched a petition in 2016 to ask the brand to update its size range and she succeeded. “We need to let go of labelling and discriminating against ourselves because we do not wear clothing according to our own physical sizes, but according to our personalities,” Riera said in the petition.
When is the best day to shop at Zara?
An insider told WhoWhatWear that Zara gets restocked on Mondays and Thursdays, making these the best days to shop in their stores. Apparently the worst day is Saturday – presumably because it’s such a busy shopping day that all the stock goes. However any day is good to shop on Zara online! They’re processing returns all the time, so you can get some decent pieces when you least expect it.
How do I save something on Zara website?
You can keep your favourite items in one place on your wish list. Just click on the bookmark icon to add an item to your list. You can delete items whenever you like using the Edit button too. But putting things on your wish list doesn’t guarantee the item will stay available forever. You can access your wish list by simply logging into your account. Learn more about how to add items to your wish list.
What does TRF mean in Zara?
TRF, short for Trafaluc, was previously the budget-friendly division of the brand targeting young women between the ages of 13 and 25. However, it has been recently eliminated from both the brand’s website and app. You can read more about it here: What Does Zara TRF Actually Mean and What Happened To It?
Where are Zara product codes?
Zara product codes are printed on the label attached to an item of Zara clothing. If you look in the inner seam, you should find a fabric tag with a bar code. Look at the article number, to the right of the barcode. You just need to look for a 4-digit number followed by a forward-slash (/), then a 3-digit number. If you’re looking online, you can find the product to the right of the product image and under the product description. This can be really handy, especially if you’re reselling any Zara items. Just Google the item number and ‘Zara’ and some images will come up that you can use.
How do you read clothing tag symbols?
If you take a look at any label in your clothing, it will advise you how to wash your clothes with the use of symbols. These symbols can be a little confusing if you don’t know what they mean, but there are some which are more commonly used.
A wash tub with a number indicates the temperature at which it should be washed, a hand in a wash tub means hand wash only, a wash tub with a cross over it means do not wash, and a circle in a box with a cross over it means do not tumble dry. Here’s a visual guide:
