My Millennial mother and I may not see eye to eye on many things, but we both adore these new styles from Zara, Mango, and COS.

My Millennial mother and I may not see eye to eye on many things, but we both adore these new styles from Zara, Mango, and COS.

      My mum is the person I rely on for nearly everything—guidance on major life events, advice on how to handle tricky situations, or even just simple things like suggestions for dinner. We share a strong bond, thanks to just 17 years separating us, but I don't typically seek her opinions regarding fashion. While she is always very complimentary about what I wear and enjoys dressing up as much as I do, she often looks to me for guidance in building her wardrobe and refining her style, given my nearly decade-long experience as a fashion writer. However, we do differ in the specific clothing styles we prefer. Despite the minimal age gap, it feels more pronounced when we shop together; she gravitates towards classic shapes that suit a 44-year-old, while I lean towards contemporary silhouettes suitable for a 26-year-old.

      Ava Gilchrist, a writer for Who What Wear UK, and her mother, Krystalla, have a 17-year age difference. But how does this generational gap play out when they try to find high-street pieces they would both wear? “I prefer clothing that appears and feels luxurious but doesn't necessarily come with a high price. It’s important for me to feel confident and empowered when I leave the house,” she explains. “I don’t follow trends closely, but as I grow older, I aim to build my wardrobe with specific seasonal items and timeless essentials that I can wear year-round.” In contrast, I like to challenge traditional styles and am often attracted to eclectic, romantic pieces with a vintage touch. (If she had kept any of her ‘90s outfits, I would definitely be wearing them today.) That said, we do find common ground despite her fashion sensibilities being very Millennial and mine leaning towards Gen Z. Often, we exchange links to items we've discovered while online shopping, and I've noticed that we frequently send each other the exact same pieces, even if our stylistic approaches differ.

      Whether you consider this mother-daughter bonding or not, we decided to challenge ourselves to visit our favorite stores and select styles that we both liked. Some items went on our wish list, while others we purchased immediately with plans to share. (Unfortunately, she’s two sizes larger than me in shoes; otherwise, we definitely would have picked up some lovely flats and sandals together.) Below, you’ll find a curated selection of new items from Zara, Mango, and COS that both those over 40 and over 20 can appreciate. Whether you decide to buy them or not, I encourage you to share this list with the maternal figure in your life and take on this challenge for yourself. You might discover that you have a lot more in common regarding clothing than you initially thought.

      **Shop New-In Pieces From Zara**

      **ZARA**

      Zw Collection Striped Shirt With Frog Fastening

      We both immediately admired this blouse for its pinstripes and frog closures.

      **ZARA**

      Buttoned Knit Jumper

      Fine knits are inherently comfortable, and we can both see ourselves sharing this style.

      **ZARA**

      Straight Fit Blazer With Shoulder Pads and Two Buttons

      Ideal for workdays, nights out, and everything in between.

      **ZARA**

      Straight High-Waist Jeans

      Denim is essential for everyday outfits.

      As for trends, we both appreciate polka dots.

      **ZARA**

      Striped Cotton and Linen T-Shirt

      Easy basics like this appeal to anyone, regardless of age or personal style.

      **ZARA**

      Zw Collection Flowing Shirt

      We both love shirting, and this silky, butter-yellow style looks stunning.

      **ZARA**

      Zw Collection Limited Edition Flare Leather Trousers

      I did have to convince her, but since my mum is a fan of Victoria Beckham, all I needed to say was that these leather trousers are Posh Spice approved.

      **ZARA**

      Zw Collection 100% Silk Bib Shirt

      This tuxedo-style shirt is effortlessly elegant and goes perfectly with straight-leg jeans and stylish shoes.

      Knitwear is one of my mum's favorite categories, so it's no surprise she loved this soft-knit cardigan.

      **Shop New-In Pieces From Mango**

      **MANGO**

      Fitted Waist Jacket

      My mum isn't familiar with Eckhaus Latta—I had the pleasure of informing her that it's one of the coolest independent fashion brands in New York—but she finds this single-breasted blazer chic.

      **MANGO**

      100% Linen Dress With Stitch Detailing

      **MANGO**

      Check Asymmetrical Dress

      My mum has a hidden fondness for grunge bands like Nirvana and Silverchair, so this checked dress, reminiscent of Marc Jacobs for Perry Ellis, appealed to her.

      **MANGO**

      Straight Mid-Rise Trousers

      Polished and sophisticated, this style transcends fashion trends.

      **MANGO**

      Large Braided Leather Bag

      My mum has a soft spot for leather accessories, making this style appealing

My Millennial mother and I may not see eye to eye on many things, but we both adore these new styles from Zara, Mango, and COS. My Millennial mother and I may not see eye to eye on many things, but we both adore these new styles from Zara, Mango, and COS. My Millennial mother and I may not see eye to eye on many things, but we both adore these new styles from Zara, Mango, and COS. My Millennial mother and I may not see eye to eye on many things, but we both adore these new styles from Zara, Mango, and COS. My Millennial mother and I may not see eye to eye on many things, but we both adore these new styles from Zara, Mango, and COS. My Millennial mother and I may not see eye to eye on many things, but we both adore these new styles from Zara, Mango, and COS. My Millennial mother and I may not see eye to eye on many things, but we both adore these new styles from Zara, Mango, and COS. My Millennial mother and I may not see eye to eye on many things, but we both adore these new styles from Zara, Mango, and COS. My Millennial mother and I may not see eye to eye on many things, but we both adore these new styles from Zara, Mango, and COS. My Millennial mother and I may not see eye to eye on many things, but we both adore these new styles from Zara, Mango, and COS. My Millennial mother and I may not see eye to eye on many things, but we both adore these new styles from Zara, Mango, and COS. My Millennial mother and I may not see eye to eye on many things, but we both adore these new styles from Zara, Mango, and COS. My Millennial mother and I may not see eye to eye on many things, but we both adore these new styles from Zara, Mango, and COS. My Millennial mother and I may not see eye to eye on many things, but we both adore these new styles from Zara, Mango, and COS. My Millennial mother and I may not see eye to eye on many things, but we both adore these new styles from Zara, Mango, and COS. My Millennial mother and I may not see eye to eye on many things, but we both adore these new styles from Zara, Mango, and COS. My Millennial mother and I may not see eye to eye on many things, but we both adore these new styles from Zara, Mango, and COS. My Millennial mother and I may not see eye to eye on many things, but we both adore these new styles from Zara, Mango, and COS. My Millennial mother and I may not see eye to eye on many things, but we both adore these new styles from Zara, Mango, and COS. My Millennial mother and I may not see eye to eye on many things, but we both adore these new styles from Zara, Mango, and COS. My Millennial mother and I may not see eye to eye on many things, but we both adore these new styles from Zara, Mango, and COS. My Millennial mother and I may not see eye to eye on many things, but we both adore these new styles from Zara, Mango, and COS. My Millennial mother and I may not see eye to eye on many things, but we both adore these new styles from Zara, Mango, and COS. My Millennial mother and I may not see eye to eye on many things, but we both adore these new styles from Zara, Mango, and COS. My Millennial mother and I may not see eye to eye on many things, but we both adore these new styles from Zara, Mango, and COS. My Millennial mother and I may not see eye to eye on many things, but we both adore these new styles from Zara, Mango, and COS. My Millennial mother and I may not see eye to eye on many things, but we both adore these new styles from Zara, Mango, and COS. My Millennial mother and I may not see eye to eye on many things, but we both adore these new styles from Zara, Mango, and COS. My Millennial mother and I may not see eye to eye on many things, but we both adore these new styles from Zara, Mango, and COS. My Millennial mother and I may not see eye to eye on many things, but we both adore these new styles from Zara, Mango, and COS. My Millennial mother and I may not see eye to eye on many things, but we both adore these new styles from Zara, Mango, and COS.

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My Millennial mother and I may not see eye to eye on many things, but we both adore these new styles from Zara, Mango, and COS.

Pretty good considering there's a 16-year age difference.