My mom and I have always had very different fashion styles. Overall, she wears more trend-forward pieces, and I stick to classic silhouettes with clean lines. She also never shies away from bold colors and playful patterns, whereas I tend to stick to a neutral palette—think black, white, and gray on repeat. Despite these differences, one thing that has always surprised us is how often we end up shopping at the same places.
Two of our longtime go-tos are Zara and Madewell. Both brands consistently offer wardrobe staples that pair well with items we already own. They balance modern and classic styles, remaining timeless without being boring and current without trying too hard. Most importantly, these retailers have the kind of pieces we actually want to wear a second, third, and fourth time.
With new collections recently dropped at both brands, we made a fun plan to sit down together and build out our shopping carts. The idea was to compare our picks and, of course, shop. Funnily enough, most of our selections were the same—proof that Zara‘s and Madewell‘s collections are also ageless. If you’re interested in seeing what we found and plan to buy for fall and winter, keep scrolling.
Zara
ZARA
Basic Cotton T-Shirt
My mom has convinced me that I need to add more classic black tees to my wardrobe because they look a lot more expensive than white and gray ones.
ZARA
Trf High Waist Wide Leg Full Length Jeans
The distressed wash and unique stitching make these look designer.
ZARA
Split Leather Kitten Heel Ankle Boots
My mom mentioned that she plans to style these with bootcut jeans and a silk blouse for her upcoming dinner plans.
ZARA
Limited Edition Ribbed Lace Top
I’d style this with a brown leather jacket and jeans, and my mom would pair it with a fitted blazer and trousers.
Zw Collection
Wide Leg Corduroy Pants
Corduroy pants are a chic option for fall and winter because they add texture and dimension to any outfit—much more than classic jeans and tailored pants do.
ZARA
Leather Kitten Heel Shoes
After the cape coat, these expensive-looking heels were second on both of our lists.
ZARA
100% Suede Leather Coat Limited Edition
The type of outerwear my mom would buy with the plan to pass it down to me later.
ZARA
Soft Knit V-Neck Sweater
We love the chunky V-neck.
Zw Collection
High-Waist Pants
If you want to diversify your capsule wardrobe this winter, replace your black trousers with brown ones.
ZARA
Split Leather Mini Shopper Bag
Compact but roomy enough for your wallet, a portable phone charger, and a few lipsticks.
My style is a bit more preppy than my mom’s, but she said she’d still wear this knit layered under a long black wool coat.
ZARA
Asymmetric Wool Skirt
This skirt is giving Prada without the designer price tag.
ZARA
Combination Lace T-Shirt
The tee makes it easy for anyone to wear and style the layered lace-trim blouse trend.
ZARA
Trf High Rise Wide Leg Jeans
We’re very into black jeans again.
These loafers are so timeless you’ll never get tired of them.
ZARA
Wool Blend High Neck Jumper
We just know this sweater will feel as soft as butter on the skin.
Zw Collection
Trench Midi Skirt
Perfect for the office or a nice lunch with friends.
ZARA
Low Heeled Equestrian Split Leather Boots
Forget Western-inspired boots—everyone in fashion will be wearing riding boots this winter.
Madewell
Madewell
Poplin Easy Y-Neck Button-Up Shirt
Since our wardrobes are centered on elevated basics, we can never have too many white button-downs.
Madewell
The Vintage Flare Jeans
Madewell
The Essential Skinny Leather Belt
Madewell’s leather belts are unmatched in terms of quality, design, and price.
Madewell
The Dimes Chelsea Boots
These best-selling ankle boots are now available in this gorgeous chocolate-brown croc design. Consider us sold.
Madewell
Double-Layered Crewneck Sweater
My mom’s favorite print is leopard, and mine is definitely stripes.
Madewell
The Balloon Pants
Here’s another pair of corduroy pants to consider—this time in a sleek and modern barrel-leg style.
Madewell
The Emilie Slingback Pumps
These will take you from the office to date night.
Madewell
Single-Breasted Topcoat
As I mentioned, my mom loves leopard print, so naturally, she gravitated toward this beautiful coat.
Madewell
Ruched Mockneck Tank
This tank is simple in design, but the high neck and ruched detailing elevate it.
Madewell
Relaxed Bootcut Jeans
I love the slight bootcut hem because it pairs nicely with ankle boots, kitten heels, and sneakers.
Madewell
The Sculpted Metal Wristlet Bag
Madewell
The Nolita Cutaway Blazer
I would style this with low-rise jeans and a buttoned-up top, and my mom would opt for a tank top layered underneath and mid-rise denim.
Madewell
Slouchy Straight Pants
Madewell
The Lexington Oversized Tote
The juxtaposition between the suede and the leather is *chef’s kiss.*
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