My 58-Year-Old Mum and I Just Got Back From Zara—9 Anti-Trend Pieces We Both Came Home With

I’ve always said my mum is one of my biggest style influences. At 58, with a career in fashion behind her, she’s curated a wardrobe that strikes the perfect balance between timeless investment pieces—some of which have lasted more than 30 years—and high-street finds that look far more premium than their price tags. She knows exactly what she likes, stays open to new ideas, always looks polished without ever feeling overdone, and has the confidence to say no to trends that don’t work for her body or her style.

I, on the other hand, am far more easily swayed by whatever new-in piece catches my eye and am still figuring out what my “true” style really is. As I edge closer to 30 (not quite there yet!), I’m finally starting to feel more self-assured in my choices—but that doesn’t mean I don’t still run most of my purchases past my mum. Even my boyfriend has been known to do the same!

You can imagine then, that when we shop together, it’s a pretty joyful occasion. One of our favourite destinations is Zara, where we almost always end up gravitating towards the same rails and, more often than not, leaving with identical pieces. We’re not exactly the same size (she’s a dress size or two smaller than me and I’m a few inches taller than her), but we mix and match where we can. And if something won’t work in one size for the both of us? Well, we just buy it twice. Only if it’s really special, of course!