It doesn’t take a detective to understand why guys might want to find some other stylish and affordable stores like Zara Man:
Zara definitely has its ups and downs.
On the one hand, it offers a wide range of menswear in some great styles that you basically can’t find anywhere else, and sells them at prices that are attractively (and almost suspiciously) low.
On the other hand, you get what you pay for; while Zara’s pieces often look great, they don’t often last as long as you might like.
Hitting that sweet spot between great pieces and good prices isn’t always easy, but the good news for guys who are both style- and budget-conscious is that you don’t have to look too hard to find some viable alternatives to Zara.
Whether you’re looking for suits, shorts or anything in between, in this post I’ll round up the best brands like Zara Man that offer similarly stylish pieces at comparable quality—and in some cases, even better price points.
Stylish & Affordable Stores Like Zara Man
The Best Brands Like Zara for Low-Cost, High-Style Menswear
Uniqlo
Uniqlo offers prices comparable to Zara Man, but in my experience their quality is higher. With that said, Uniqlo’s business model and mission is quite different from Zara.
Each season Zara rushes to stock their stores with knock-offs homages to the latest, most trendy runway pieces. If you don’t pick them up while they’re in stock then you’ll probably never see them again.
Uniqlo, on the other hand, tends to sell quality staple pieces that will be both in style and in stock for a long time to come.
It’s been years since I first tried on one of their merino wool v-necks, and while the ones I bought years ago still hold up, it’s nice to know they’re still available when I want to pick up some new colors.
Topman
The UK-based Topman makes a great alternative to Zara because it carries pretty much every category of menswear, from suiting down to swimming trunks, all in modern cuts and trendy styles and colors.
And like Zara, they’re affordable. If you’re searching for shops like Zara Man to find a few other places to grab fashion-forward styles on the cheap, Topman is an excellent option.
H&M
Arguably Zara’s closest competitor, the Sweden-based brand H&M has a similar reputation, known for stylish and trendy pieces that resemble runway fashion, but at significantly lower prices.
The quality of H&M’s stuff is comparable to Zara’s, which is to be expected—there’s usually a tradeoff between price and quality, and when the clothes are this affordable, the quality isn’t always the highest.
With that said, I’ve actually had pretty good luck with H&M over the years, especially with staple pieces like tees and sweatshirts.
And unlike Zara, H&M carries a line of affordable men’s gym clothes that’s (somewhat surprisingly) great.
Nordstrom Rack
The baby-brother brand to Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack makes a great Zara alternative because it offers super on-trend pieces for prices that are well below the merchandise in their flagship store.
It’s like Zara Man in the sense that their merchandise never lasts long; if you see something you like there, you should grab it, because it might not be available a month from now.
But where Zara’s stuff only looks like big-name fashion brands, Nordstrom Rack actually stocks the real deal.
Frank and Oak
Frank And Oak is in a similar class as Uniqlo: they make casual staple pieces like shirts, pants, jeans and jackets, but they do it with a fresh take that’s on-point, which helps distinguish their stuff from other brands.
The price point is higher, but they have an edge on Zara in that they focus on making their clothes both fashionable and practical.
A lot of their stuff is designed with flexible, stretchy material that moves with you, so you can feel comfortable and look fresh all at once.
Shein
Shein offers a wide range of streetwear, denim, loungewear and other staples that’s fresh and on-point.
Their prices are comparable to Zara and even lower for some items, and they tend to run big sales (especially around major holidays), so if you time your purchase right you can usually score some pretty great deals.
ASOS
Asos is yet another affordable UK brand, but it stands out from stores like Zara and Topman with an increased focused on bold patterns and colors.
In addition to menswear from suits to casual staples, they also sell accessories, which help them distinguish themselves even more.
Where Zara only carries its own brand, Asos carries a pretty wide range of other brands, making it sort of a cross between a clothing brand and an online department store.
Forever 21
With its focus on a younger demographic, I’ll admit that Forever 21 might not be the first store that comes to mind when you think of brands like Zara.
While they don’t offer suiting like Zara, they’re a great place to turn for (almost insanely affordable) staples like denim, sweaters and lightweight jackets.
boohooMAN
boohooMan is the menswear arm of UK-based boohoo, which like Zara specializes in super trendy and of-the-moment styles.
They’re in the same fast fashion category as stores like H&M and Zara, but they focus more on streetwear and modern casual pieces than suiting and cheap formalwear, which you’ll find a lot of at Zara.
Massimo Dutti
Zara’s big-brother brand, Massimo Dutti offers similar styles that are more grown up, higher quality and (as you can probably imagine), more expensive.
The menswear at Massimo Dutti isn’t quite as fashion-forward as Zara’s, but it’s still sharp and distinguished.
Think J.Crew or Banana Republic with a little more European flare and you’re on the right track.
You Know The Most Stylish Stores Like Zara Man
Now Learn How to Become Your Most Stylish Self
Knowing which stores and brands make the best Zara alternatives will help you know where to turn for stylish, affordable and fashion-forward menswear.
But while knowing where to buy stylish pieces is a good start, knowing how to wear them is another challenge entirely. Even the most trendy clothes won’t help you look sharp if you don’t understand the finer points that make a man look polished, poised and put together.
Stepping up your style in a way that helps you stand out from other guys isn’t complicated—but it is nuanced.
The handsome devil is in the details, and the key to making a big difference on the way people perceive you is learning how to do the little things right.
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More Men’s Style Advice from Irreverent Gent:
- 31 Stores Like Urban Outfitters
- The Best J.Crew Alternatives for Men
- 16 Stores Like Madewell for Stylish & Affordable Staples
- 12 Stores Like H&M for Stylish & Affordable Fashion
- How to Shop for Men’s Clothes
- How to Dress Better for Guys
- 21 Clothing Stores Like American Eagle
Banner image: Mw12310 via Wikimedia
