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    1. Fashion
    2. Winter Fashion

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

    21 pieces we're shopping.

    Julia Marzovilla's avatar
    By Julia Marzovilla
    Published 13 January 2026 In News

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

    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)
    (Image credit: Getty Images)
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    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.

    Latest Videos FromMarie Claire
    Watch full video here:

    ZARA, Zw Collection Bow Shirt

    Zara
    ZW Collection Bow Shirt
    $70
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    A bow detail and a mock-neck design instantly elevate this otherwise simple top.

    ZARA, Zw Collection Cargo Pants

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

    Gingham Shirt With Scarf Zw Collection

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

    ZARA, Water Repellent Cape Trench Coat Zw Collection Limited Edition

    Zara
    ZW Collection Water Repellent Cape Trench Coat
    $169
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    Rain jackets are having a moment, and this one should be on your list.

    Z1975 Straight Leg Jeans With Cuffed Hem

    Zara
    Z1975 Straight Leg Jeans With Cuffed Hem
    $70
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    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

    Zara
    Buckled Split Leather Ankle Boots
    $169
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    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.

    Combination Tie-Detail Midi Dress

    Zara
    Combination Tie-Detail Midi Dress
    $70
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    A pre-styled dress? Yes, please!

    Cotton Long Sleeve T-Shirt

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    Cotton Long Sleeve T-Shirt
    $26
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    Found: the perfect base layer that's a little cooler than the others in your lineup.

    Zw Collection Fuseau Pants

    Zara
    ZW Collection Fuseau Pants
    $70
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    Stirrup leggings are trending, so of course Zara has a pair worth buying.

    Short Wool Coat With High Neck

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    Short Wool Coat With High Neck
    $119
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    Easy, simple, and timeless.

    Trf Mid-Rise Baggy Balloon Jeans

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    TRF Mid-Rise Baggy Balloon Jeans
    $70
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    My mom wears a lot of white denim in the summer, so this tan pair caught my eye for the winter months.

    ZARA, Sneakers

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    Sneakers
    $60
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    My mom is new to the sneaker world, so I'm buying her this pair of brown kicks.

    ZARA, Velvet Effect Stitched Ballet Flats

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    $60
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    She's not really a ballet flat person, either, but she agrees that this sporty pair is so cool.

    Cardigan With Defined Waist - Taupe

    H&M
    Cardigan With Defined Waist
    $45
    SHOP NOW

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

    H&M , Wide-Leg Pants With Belt Detail - Black

    H&M
    Wide-Leg Pants With Belt Detail
    $45
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    I love the belt buckles on this pair of otherwise simple pair of trousers.

    Garter-Stitched Scarf - Gray Melange

    H&M
    Garter-Stitched Scarf
    $13
    SHOP NOW

    Triangle scarves are forever.

    Bomber Jacket With Collar - Khaki Green

    H&M
    Bomber Jacket With Collar
    $80
    SHOP NOW

    So are shearling-trimmed bomber jackets.

    Wide High Jeans - Navy Denim Blue

    H&M
    Wide High Jeans
    $40
    SHOP NOW

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

    H&M , Cotton Poplin Shirt

    H&M
    Cotton Poplin Shirt
    $30
    SHOP NOW

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

    Balloon Pants - Black

    H&M
    Balloon Pants
    $25
    SHOP NOW

    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 - Black

    Belt
    $30
    SHOP NOW

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

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    Julia Marzovilla is the former Fashion E-Commerce Editor at Marie Claire, where she reviewed the latest launches from fashion and beauty brands, finds the best on-sale items around the internet, and interviews experts to find the best products in any category to share with her readers. She also created shopping guides that span every vertical on the site as an expert in everything from the best laptop bags to the best laser hair removal devices.

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