Zalando has featured on a number of fellow mummy blogs over the last year. I first came across them a few months back when searching for summer dresses for our upcoming summer holiday but was yet to roadtest them. They already have a huge presence in Europe (market leader in Germany) and grand ambitions to be the online fashion shop of choice for us Brits. Their brand message is simple, to provide a high quality shopping experience that suits every budget.

Packed with men’s, women’s and children’s fashion, and a home section to boot, they offer a vast array of well-known brands including Warehouse, Vera Wang, UGG Australia, Ted Baker and Superdry. So when they set me a challenge to put them through their paces with a £20 giftcard, I had high hopes I’d find something I’d like.

So just how far did £20 get me?

Well first off, creating an account was easy. Furthermore, if you sign up for the newsletter you get £5 off your next order of £30 or more. With free delivery, and returns there are no hidden costs to hinder your shopping experience.

I decided I wanted a pair of summer pumps to kick off my weight loss campaign. Although I’m desperate to shift the pounds, I haven’t owned a pair of trainers since my teenage years, and not even Wimbledon can persuade me that they can be attractive. I plumped for these Pier One pumps in the sale and bagged them for a tiny £14 (was £25). They’re hugely comfortable and I’ve worn them for a run already (go me!!!)

Not wanting to leave Dexter out, he got these gorgeous little shorts from Name It for just £6. I was impressed to see that they’re fully adjustable as this wasn’t highlighted within the product description. Usually a feature reserved for more expensive children’s clothes, I’d have thought they’d have mentioned this, but not so.

My items arrived via courier 3 days later superbly packaged. So often when I order online I’m disappointed by the condition of the packaging where its been bumped around in transit. This is fine for clothing, but for glassware etc, you want a durable box that can take a bit of a battering.

I must admit, deciding on what to buy took me hours. There is simply so much to choose from that Miss Indecisive here struggled to pick. Although the search function was easy to navigate, I did find the choice overwhelming. It was also slightly confusing that identical items in some colours were cheaper than those in others. If you’re after bargain buys, I’d definitely recommend using the sliding price bar to display only those items within your price range.

All in all, I’d shop here again with no hesitation. For bargain kids clothes from top brands, it’s definitely a great option for busy mums. For offers, discounts and news of brands, you can like Zalando on facebook or follow them on twitter as @zalando_uk.

Disclaimer: I was provided with £20 credit to put Zalando through their paces. All thoughts and opinions are my own.