Affordable Fashion at Chez Bella Jakarta

After my past disappointing shopping experiences at Zara, I’ve been looking for a new place to get nice but cheap clothes.  So I found flattering loose flowing tops from Magnolia which range from Rp 50,000-80,000 or USD 5-8 est. (will write about Magnolia some other time) and from Chez Bella by the lovely Agnes! Her prices range between Rp 150,000 to 300,000 but the quality is definitely better than Magnolia. She brings it in from Bankok.

I got this ETTA top, paired it with Kamiseta denim shorts (Katie Holmes looks unbearably cute in their ad campaign! So proud of this pinoy brand!), gold Guess flats and accessorized it with gold, pink and rose gold-colored accessories.

I felt feminine in pink and very comfy for a casual day out with TD.

My accessories: pearl earrings, matte gold headband (from an accessory shop in Greenbelt 4/5), gold ring with pink semi-precious stones from Pasar Rawa Bening Gemstone Market,  cake and fork necklace plated in 24K gold by Betsy Johnson and tri-color (gold, rose gold and silver) bangles from Korea.

I also got this basic button down yellow shirt. “YELLOW?!?” you say? Yes it’s my first time to wear yellow! Normally I go for neutrals and very light colors, but the cut and light cotton material of this top was irresistible. Besides, it’s still within the preppy look I’m so comfortable with.

I wish they still had this denise skirt, because it’s so unbelievably soft and comfy, yet looks super sleek! Unfortunately Chez Bella only had it in brown, which is not a flattering color on me (despite being neutral).

Below are other dresses from their previous collection that I really love. Too bad they are SOLD OUT! Can’t wait for the new collection in October!

Chez Bella also has accessories. This long abigail necklace is so cute in person. It sorta reminds me of the Louis Vuitton monogram. What do you think?

 A CAUTIONARY TALE ON ZARA INDONESIA: The quality of Zara clothing here is different from the Philippines. Some items literally ripped apart at the seams after one or two uses. So what if I got them all for Rp 150,000 (USD 15)? That’s still expensive for 1 time use for me! And the last straw was during the last sale, I made sure to make a beeline for Rp 150,000 rack and chose lovely items. The problem was when I paid, they said that about 3 of the items were priced wrong (from being Rp 150,000 it was Rp350,000 which meant there was only a Rp 50,000 discount from the original price). For the first 2 items, I was okay, but on that 3rd item, I reached my limit and told them I wanted to speak to their manager. I felt like I was being duped. Why place these items in the 150k rack and place 150k sale price tags, then tell the customer that it was wrong?!? VERY fishy. It’s either they are up to something, or they didn’t do their job well. Either way I wasn’t going to go with it any more. The manager didn’t show up (and basically held the line) until I asked them “Isn’t the country manager of Zara a Filipino?” (I know I shouldn’t have but to not even come out and talk to me?!? I really wasn’t planning on doing anything about it, I just wanted them to resolve the situation fairly.) After that experience I had to find other cheaper brands with better quality and an improved shopping experience.

CHEZ BELLA

• If you are interested, check out Chez Bella on Facebook and add them
• You are welcomed to order via:
• BBM: 2262007B – Agnes Camelia
• SMS: 0815 911 8600
• Pls check the measurements carefully as there is NO Refund/Exchange.
• To my friends who are interested in viewing Chez Bella items personally, let me know and I will take you there. Viewing is by appointment only.