Zara has finally revealed what the symbols on its clothing tags actually mean, putting an end to a popular theory that claimed they indicated how an item would fit. The symbols—square, triangle and circle—are not a secret sizing system, but instead correspond to different sections within the retailer's clothing range.
Popular theory explained
Shoppers had long speculated that the shapes on Zara labels could reveal whether a garment runs true to size, small or large. According to the widely shared theory, a square meant the item fits true to size, a triangle indicated the item fits small and shoppers should size up, and a circle suggested the item runs large or is oversized.
The theory sparked debate online, with some shoppers claiming they had noticed differences between items featuring different symbols. One shopper commented on Instagram: "In the fashion world, these symbols are usually used to indicate which body shape the garment is advised for."
Another shopper added that sizing can vary between brands, saying: "The real problem is Zara's smaller jeans size in the woman section is the same as the 11-12 years in the kids section."
What the symbols really mean
Despite the theory gaining traction online, a Zara spokesperson has now disproved it. The spokesperson explained that the symbols correspond with different sections within the clothing range: a square denotes Zara Basic, a triangle represents Zara's younger line, and a circle stands for Zara Woman.
While shoppers may have noticed differences in fit between items carrying different symbols, the label itself is not designed to indicate whether a garment runs small or large. Zara's website advises shoppers to use its measurement guide to find the right size.
The website states: "If you want to know the measurements of any item, you can check our measurement guide. If you can't find the size you need, please contact us so we can help you."
