Fashion....Fashion....Fashion. O.C.
Dotted in and around the Orihuela Costa you can find that pair of Gucci Sunglasses, that Armani frock, the all important Havaianas flip-flops and anything else that your fancy takes, whether it be from one of the many markets ( as you may guess..it may not be the real deal), of from the many boutiques and malls in and around the region.
Spanish favourtie labels include Zara (both men & women), Pull & Bear (street wear fused with dress wear (men & women), H & M ( street to evening), Jack & Jones (street & smart casual), Celio (smart casual menswear) & Springfield (smart casual, evening & beachwear and fragrances for men & women).
There are also those all-important boutiques dotted around the small streets of the towns & cities, selling the likes of Lacoste, Gucci, Armani, Betty Jackson, Ralf Lauuren, Dior, but to name a few, along with some renowned local talent.
The nearest and closest stops for fashionistas in the Orihuela Costa, are the large shopping Malls, one stop shopping with drinks and entertainment thown in fro those who want a day out on the retail therapy trail.
Nearest shopping emporium is the Habaneras Mall (caratera Torrevieja - Crevillente) in Torrevieja, offering all the delights that the high street fashion world has to offer. Many of the fashion stores here offer ranges not exoprted to other countries, allowing you to take home 'that original number' .
Outside the region, Malls like Nuevo Condomina,Thader(Murcia), Dos Mares (Murcia, just off of the N332) all exist to provide you with the all day shop-'til-you-drop experience. There are even some of the tour companies that offer day trips to the Malls, ensuring that you don't even have to drive, saving all your energy for spending ( and of course, sipping that Spritser or margarita), without having to worry about driving back again.
Malls & most fashion stores are open until 9.00 or 10.00 p.m. (smaller in town stores usually have a siesta in the afternoon and re-open around 5.00 p.m.), so you can even get a ate one in after your siesta.
In A Leather.
Situated not far from the Orihuela Costa is the beauiful & historic town of Elche.
Elche is referred to by many as the leather Capital of Europe. High quality leather shoes, jackets, bags, belts, wallets and purses are all designed and made here, to be shipped all over the world.
Because of this, leather products are amazing value, whether you buy from many of the specialist shops or a market stall, you will be almost certainaly guaranteed a top quality, long lasting product.
Again, like trips to the malls, Tour companies offer, as part of their day trips , a stop at one of the Factories, where you can see the production process and, of course buy products. Many of the factories offer a discount for purcasing, so it may be well worth a visit. Women flock to the local markets for that bartering bargain from the stall holders, who are only too happy to negotiate a price with you.
The World's Your Oyster.
Online Shopping.
With the current strength of the Euro (especially against sterling), many Spaniards and ex pats alike, based on these shores, are heading over to the U.K. on shopping expeditions, where bargains can be plentiful and due to the current climate, prices are low.
Many others are getting their fashion bargains from online shopping, visiting online clothing, footwear and accessories stores not only based in the U.K., but all over the world, although the exchange rate with the U.K. is proving a winner with us in the Eurozone..
Many online stores are offering great deals on shipping costs and courier deliveries (especially with the servce from some of the local Correo offices), to entice us to spend our Euros overseas, keeping the global ecenomy afloat and giving us just what we wanted at a price that suits.
Online shopping is very secure and most companies are insured against loss, your cards are protected with secure sites and you are sure to find that high-end garment, those Jimmy Choos or that stunning, yet understated pearl necklace, without finding out that they were made in Taiwan, or at least having the security of a refund if they were.
Coats 'n' 'Ats. The great UK Favourite.....C&A.
For the British in particular, we felt that we had to mention an old UK favourite, now sadly defunct on British soil, but here on the European mainland, a firm favourite with all.
C & A (Habaneras Centre ground floor) is still drawing Brits of all ages, filling their baskets with clothing, footwear and accessories and still providing the quality that it became famous for.
Providing ranges for all ages, styles (and sizes up to 50+ " waists for men and clothing the fuller ladies figures), C&A is great value, high quality and easy on the pocket and unavailable in the U.K.
Brits on holiday descend upon C&A in their fenzied droves, like finding a long lost friend or lover and stocking up on those garments with a love of the easier, bygone days, when C&A was on the local high street.
Getting the right size. Size Converter.
Clothing and footwear sizes here in Spain and many other European mainland countries are different to the UK (and America). We have provided a small conversion guide to the most popular items (including Bras ladies) for you to see what you should be asking for.Please note:- You should always try things on before buying and leaving the store. If online shopping, make sure that there is a good returns policy for exchange if your size is wrong.
Many garments come in Small, Medium & Large etc, so again, if you are unsure, try it on, or try to get an idea of what the size guides actually are (e.g. small = 22-28 UK and 32-38 EUR). If you try things on you will not be disappointed and have to take things back* for exchange.
For childrens and babies items, check age or get the kids to try the clothes or shoes or sandals on.
Womens Items.
| Waist Sizes. | ||||||||||||
| U.K. |
8
|
10
|
12
|
14
|
16
|
18
|
20
|
22
|
24
|
26
|
|
|
| Spain |
36
|
38
|
40
|
42
|
44
|
46
|
48
|
50
|
52
|
54
|
|
|
| Shoe Sizes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| U.K. |
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Spain |
36
|
37
|
39
|
38
|
40
|
41/42
|
42/43
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Bra / Chest Sizes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| U.K. |
30
|
32
|
34
|
36
|
38
|
40
|
42
|
44
|
|
|
|
|
| Spain |
65
|
70
|
75
|
80
|
85
|
90
|
95
|
100
|
|
|
|
|
Mens Items.
| Waist Sizes | ||||||||||||
| U.K. |
28
|
30
|
32
|
34
|
36
|
38
|
40
|
42
|
44
|
46
|
48
|
50
|
| Spain |
38
|
40
|
42
|
44
|
46
|
48
|
50
|
52
|
54
|
56
|
58 / 60 / 62
|
62/64
|
| Shoe Sizes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| U.K. |
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
11
|
12
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Spain |
40
|
41
|
42
|
43
|
44
|
45
|
46
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Neck Width |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| U.K. |
12
|
14
|
14.5
|
15
|
15.5
|
16
|
16.5
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Spain |
33
|
35
|
36/37
|
38
|
39/40
|
41
|
42/43
|
|
|
|
|
|
* A word about taking things back.
Spanish law permits you to return goods within 15 days of purchase, for exchange or refund, with the provision that you have the garment, sales ticket and your receipt.
Some stores insist that the sales ticket is ATTACHED to the garment (i.e. attached to the label with the kimble tag).
After this, your only course of action is to deal with the manufacturer. This applies to all goods, not simply clothing.
Store Bargains. Own Labels.
For those on budgets or who don't like the big labels, some of the stores in and around the Orihuela Costa provide their own range of clothing, footwear and accessory ranges, keeping those on tight budgets, or who shirk the wrold of the designer label happy with basic, but stylish clothing.
Companies like Carrefour have their onw brand (Tex) of clothing footwear and accessories, as well as homw ware and white goods products.
Obviously, if you are user to a more glamorous , or funkier label on your togs, then this mat not be for you. However, many people are satisifed with companies own brand goods (think about George of Asda or Cherokee at Tesco...sure we have all either bought or at least considered buying something there).
Sales of the Century ?
Sales seasons in Spain and around the Orihuela Costa are generally:-After 3 kings (from 6th January) & from July 1st (whole month) - for the fashion industry at least. It is actually illegal to put up a 'REBAJAS' (SALES) sign before the permitted start dates of sales, but shops are allowed to have 'PROMOCIONS' signs up to show special offers.
During sale times, prices are vastly slashed (sometimes by up to70%) and there are bargains galore to be had by all who wish. If you can wait for the sales...WAIT !
There are sometimes a few mid-season sales around, but not that many. Usually a store may have a few Ofertas (special offers), so always worth popping in now and again.
A Taste of Home.
There are companies who import UK favourites from time to time and hold sales in bars, restaurants etc. These will usually be advertised in the local press or by flyer at markets, on cars etc.
Favourites include Marks & Sencer (which you can shop from this website, with only 1o euro delivery for your whole order), Next, BHs and many more well known brands and labels, again, worth keeping an eye out for if that is your thing.
Please note:- With online shopping, always make sure that you are on a secure site and check the returns policy.
The O.C. team have no responsibility nor recourse for the content contained within external sites linked to from this one.
