Short answer: If you want fashion-first, branded items with easier returns and a curated experience — shop Zalora. If you want the cheapest deals, the widest selection (including non-fashion items) — shop Lazada, but buy from LazMall / official stores and check seller ratings. (zalora.com.ph)

Why (quick comparison)

• Focus: Zalora is a fashion- and lifestyle-focused store that carries many local and international brands and positions itself as a dedicated clothing/shoes/accessories retailer. (zalora.com.ph)
• Returns & sizing: Zalora advertises a 30‑day return/exchange window for eligible items and has return instructions and partner drop‑off points in the Philippines — helpful when trying sizes. (zaloraphilippinesprod.freshdesk.com)
• Variety & price: Lazada is a broad marketplace (everything from groceries to electronics to clothes). It usually has more sellers, bigger flash sales and lower-price listings, but quality and seller consistency vary. For brand-safety and better return terms buy via LazMall / official stores. (phranking.com)
• Risk of fakes / seller issues: Large marketplaces including Lazada have had notable reports about counterfeit or misleading listings and customer-service/returns friction — so you’ll want to verify sellers/“official store” badges and read reviews. (Similar customer‑support complaints exist for all big platforms from time to time.) (en.wikipedia.org)

When to choose which

• Choose Zalora if: you want brand-name clothing, clearer size/return handling, curated selections, or are buying higher-value fashion items. (zalora.com.ph)
• Choose Lazada if: you want the lowest price, lots of product variety (mix clothing with other purchases), or fast flash-sale bargains — but stick to LazMall/official stores or highly rated sellers for clothes. (phranking.com)

Practical shopping tips (apply to both)

• Buy “sold by” or “fulfilled by” the platform or look for official/brand stores to reduce risk of counterfeits. (ginee.com)
• Check seller ratings & recent reviews before buying.
• Compare total cost (item + shipping + return cost) — Lazada often wins on sticker price but Zalora may be cheaper once returns/size issues are included.
• Keep original tags/packaging and the invoice until the return window passes. (zaloraphilippinesprod.freshdesk.com)
• Use protected payments (GCash, card, platform wallet, PayPal where available) and keep screenshots of order pages/chats.

If you tell me what matters most to you (brand authenticity, lowest price, free returns, or shipping speed), I can give a one-line final recommendation tailored to that.