I'm the Gen-Z Daughter of an OG Gap Girl—48 On-Sale Winter Staples My Mom and I Can Agree On
From cashmere cardigans to Hailey Bieber jeans, we are starting on holiday shopping early.
Even though I am a fashion writer, I'm not the only Gap loyalist in my family. In fact, my mom, an OG Gap girl, passed her affinity for the American brand down to me long before I entered the industry. So, when we compared holiday wish lists (a pre-Black Friday tradition), we weren't shocked to see our "wants and needs" sections stocked with styles from Gap, our family's favorite one-stop gift shop. But we were surprised by the similarities between our picks.
With how different our winter wardrobes are (for one, my mom sticks to neutral shades, while I play with pops of primary colors), creative director Zac Posen has achieved the impossible by connecting our closets. We've found common fashion ground in Gap's classic cotton sweaters, affordable denim, and casually cool outerwear.
The plunging price tags were a nice draw, too: Not only are the Hailey Bieber x Gap jeans currently $53 (down from $90), but the brand's Cashsoft collection offers cashmere blends for a fraction of the price. Many of the winter essentials, ranging from red socks to suede fingerless gloves, are available for under $40.
Now, my mom and I originally planned to sit around the Thanksgiving dinner table, our laptops ready to snatch the last sizes of best-selling Gap styles for ourselves (and to gift other loved ones in December). But we would have been fools to wait until Black Friday to shop. For the best Gap finds—and sales—of the season, keep scrolling for 48 pieces that are already en route to our mailboxes.
Casually Chic Knitwear
My sweater drawer is stocked with rollnecks, but my mom's collection lacks the classic tubular collar, something that I plan to change by gifting her this style this year.
With such a good sale, it would have been a shame to pass up this poppy red piece, both to gift and for myself.
This take on the baseball tee trend stood out for its cozy cashmere blend.
I'm so proud of my mom for stepping outside of her simple color story—and sampling a striped rainbow turtleneck.
For my mom and me, Stripes Season is in full swing. It wouldn't be complete without this chunky cardigan.
I've never seen a cardigan with such a striking mock neck, a design detail that instantly won over my mom.
Denim That Deserves Hailey Bieber's Approval
One month after Gap restocked the denim by Hailey Bieber, they're on sale for $53. Now that's a can't-miss markdown.
Need a break from the dark-denim trend? My mom and I do, too. So, we're slipping into sky blue bottoms.
The Hailey Bieber x Gap sale is impressive, but a stovepipe pair for $26? That's just unheard of.
The same could be said about these '70s-inspired flared jeans, a signature winter silhouette for my family.
I've been a barrel jeans girl since Old Navy (Gap's sister brand) dropped curvy denim with Cardi B. It's about time my mom follows suit.
Putting my mom onto Gap's curvy collection was the best thing that happened to her denim drawer.
Cool-Girl Color Trends
It took some convincing to get my mom in cobalt blue. Now, it's her favorite color for winter.
My mom and I have been stealing flannel shirts from my dad for years. This time around, we're twinning in a new magenta rendition.
My mom believed butter yellow was best saved for summer, but after seeing this 100 percent cotton crewneck, she changed her mind. The perfect ray of sunshine on a gray winter day.
This striped T-shirt threw it back to my childhood, when Gap-branded designs were my uniform.
This Christmas, I'm continuing my little red dress tradition with this shirtdress-style frock that I can rewear for other occasions.
Last year, forest green was my favorite for holiday dressing, but with this cardigan, I'm dipping my toe into the chartreuse trend.
Timeless Neutral Tops
My mom and I share the same taste in chocolate brown shirts. Case in point: this satin shirt, which was in both our carts.
We're both big fans of the triangle scarf trend. This Cashsoft sweater takes the guesswork out of styling.
I stole my mom's signature cable-knit sweater a few Christmases ago. So, I'm making up for it with this oversized, 100 percent cotton piece.
My mom and I swore off V-necks years ago, but this Cashsoft sweater changed everything.
Years ago, my mom taught me that crisp button-downs are cold-weather layering classics. This $34 find will certainly do the trick.
The 5-star ratings on this boatneck shirt were all my mom and I needed to press "add to cart."
Pants That Don't Play It Safe
Don't let great Gap denim stop you from perusing the daring pants department.
Gap is singlehandedly responsible for adding snakeskin to my mom's closet.
This time of year, you can't go wrong with corduroy—especially when it's in a delicious shade of brown.
Last November, I wore Gap's sweater pants on repeat. So much so, I need a fresh pair.
My mom and I are sharing custody of Gap's sweater pants. This year, we are trading the striped pair for a sporty track style—and getting one each.
This winter, my mom finally accepted the "no white after Labor Day" rule as merely a suggestion. This set will put that into practice.
Holiday Party Picks
My mom already ordered this mock-neck mini dress as one of my Christmas presents.
Mother-daughter matching takes the sheer shirt trend.
We couldn't forget the see-through pencil skirt.
Imagine this plaid, scarf-style shirt at a more relaxed festive fête.
My family doesn't ski, but in this Fair Isle sweater dress, we'll channel the après ski look.
Another Gap mock-neck number for the win.
Goes-With-Everything Outerwear
My mom's leather jacket is older than I am. So, to say she needed Gap's 50 percent off piece would be an understatement.
Gap is feeling generous in the outerwear department. This cropped corduroy coat is half off, too.
This hooded scarf-style jacket comes in gray and black—one for my mom's coat rack, and the other for mine.
This leopard-print coat can't stop selling out, but right now, it's still available—and under $200.
I adore my classic khaki trench coat, but this plaid version feels so festive.
If you order this cinched leather coat in the Gap app, you'll earn an extra 10 percent off.
Stocking Stuffer Accessories
My mom taught me the power of a preppy sock. This Cashsoft crew pair will make even the most simple shoes more exciting.
With my mom and I both having bangs, we prefer headbands over hats.
My mom and I are big fans of Zoë Kravitz, specifically her collection of cool-girl socks. This crimson-colored pair looks fresh from her closet.
A suede tote bag for $20? Don't mind if I do.
I can't wait to couple my Kravitz-coded socks with this ribbed scarf.
Keep an eye on our family Christmas card for these sleek, fingerless suede gloves.
