My Mom and I Agree: These New Zara and H&M Arrivals Are the Definition of 'Worth It'

PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 04: A guest (L) wears a loose low bun hairstyle with honey-blonde highlights and face-framing tendrils, black cat-eye sunglasses, large gold hoop earrings, a black leather clutch bag, a camel wool long double-breasted coat with wide lapels and black buttons over a black high-neck knit top and black leather trousers, brown suede gloves / mittens, black patent leather pointed-toe pumps shoes, A guest (R) wears a slicked-back low bun hairstyle with medium-length light brown hair and a center part, black oval sunglasses, chunky gold hoop earrings and a thin gold chain necklace, a black pebbled leather shoulder oversized Evelyne handbag from Hermes with gold hardware, a long beige cotton trench coat with double-breasted black buttons worn open over a white draped asymmetric top and black wide-leg trousers, black patent leather pointed-toe pumps shoes with stiletto heels, outside Hermes, during Paris Fashion Week - Womenswear Spring Summer 2026, on October 04, 2025 in Paris, France (Photo by Edward Berthelot/Getty Images).

I never needed a moodboard—I had my mom. As much as I hate to admit it, so much of my personal style is derived from what she wore while I was growing up. It wasn't until later in life that I learned how many of her pieces from that era hailed from Zara and, later, H&M. So, while browsing the new-in collections at both brands recently, I called in the expert (her) to weigh in on the pieces worth shopping right now.

We have 30 years between us, but I was shocked at how similar our picks were. We both co-signed trendier pieces like balloon pants and brown sneakers, for instance. The classics were there, too: My mom has long loved cuffed denim, so I agreed to test-run the look for the new year. And I managed to convince her to try out the sporty ballet flat trend (in winter-proof velvet, no less).

So, if you want the insight of two New Yorkers as you scroll through Zara and H&M's websites, you've come to the right place.

Zara

ZW Collection Bow Shirt

A bow detail and a mock-neck design instantly elevate this otherwise simple top.

Zara

ZW Collection Cargo Pants

These have a subtle balloon silhouette, so they're perfect if you're test-running the look.

Zara

ZW Collection Gingham Shirt With Scarf

Plaid is a forever winter staple, and I love this take on the look.

Zara

ZW Collection Water Repellent Cape Trench Coat

Rain jackets are having a moment, and this one should be on your list.

Zara

Z1975 Straight Leg Jeans With Cuffed Hem

My mom has been trying to convince me to try cuffed jeans for a while. This might be the year I do.

Zara

Buckled Split Leather Ankle Boots

My mom has owned a pair of buckled boots for as long as I can remember, so it's high time I get a pair, too.

Zara

Combination Tie-Detail Midi Dress

A pre-styled dress? Yes, please!

Zara

Cotton Long Sleeve T-Shirt

Found: the perfect base layer that's a little cooler than the others in your lineup.

Zara

ZW Collection Fuseau Pants

Stirrup leggings are trending, so of course Zara has a pair worth buying.

Zara

Short Wool Coat With High Neck

Easy, simple, and timeless.

Zara

TRF Mid-Rise Baggy Balloon Jeans

My mom wears a lot of white denim in the summer, so this tan pair caught my eye for the winter months.

Zara

Sneakers

My mom is new to the sneaker world, so I'm buying her this pair of brown kicks.

Zara

Velvet Effect Stitched Ballet Flats

She's not really a ballet flat person, either, but she agrees that this sporty pair is so cool.

H&M

Cardigan With Defined Waist

My mom saw me wearing this short-waisted cardigan and immediately asked where it was from.

H&M

Wide-Leg Pants With Belt Detail

I love the belt buckles on this pair of otherwise simple pair of trousers.

H&M

Garter-Stitched Scarf

Triangle scarves are forever.

H&M

Bomber Jacket With Collar

So are shearling-trimmed bomber jackets.

H&M

Wide High Jeans

I own and love this pair of wide-leg trousers. She wanted a pair, too.

H&M

Cotton Poplin Shirt

A button-down shirt is my mom's favorite basic.

H&M

Balloon Pants

My mom used to wear these loungewear-inspired pants when she dropped me off at school, so the fact that they're coming back is really fun.

Belt

My mom knows that belts are fundamental to a chic look.