25 and 61: Our Shared Love for Trendy Brands

A New Era of Shared Style

There was a time when shopping with my mother felt like an ordeal. At 15, I couldn’t imagine anything worse than spending hours in a store while she tried on blazers and skirts. Now, at 25, I find myself enjoying the experience more than ever. Our tastes have evolved, and we now share a mutual appreciation for fashion that spans generations.

This shift is not unique to us. Across the High Street, generational boundaries are blurring, with shoppers of all ages browsing the same rails. Campaigns featuring icons like Cindy Crawford and her daughter Kaia Gerber, or Heidi and Leni Klum, highlight the idea that style knows no age. Youth-focused brands appeal to older consumers, while heritage names attract younger shoppers looking for quality and timeless designs.

For me and my mother, Christine, taking inspiration from each other’s wardrobes has become a natural part of our lives. Here are the six High Street brands we both love, along with our favorite items from each:

Reiss

Reiss is known for its great tailoring, but it’s the denim that really captures our attention. The Sakura patch-pocket style (£158) is a joint favorite, thanks to its smart front crease, forgiving fit through the thighs, and three leg lengths. While Reiss sits at the pricier end of the high street, the quality justifies the investment – there’s nowhere else that does leg-elongating jeans quite like this.

Sakura Patch-Pocket Flared Jeans

£158

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Linen Embroidered Blouse

£158

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Athena Belt

£88

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Marks & Spencer

Womenswear director Maddy Evans has led a quiet revolution at Marks & Spencer. Where once my mother dragged me there for basics like underwear and school shirts, now the rails are filled with pieces that appeal to Gen Z shoppers like me. But this trend focus hasn’t alienated its core customer – my mother still loves it. This season, it excels in outerwear, particularly its many reimaginings of the trench coat.

The Trench

£95

Cotton Balloon Sleeve Jacket

£50

Palazzo Trousers

£46

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ME+EM

For occasionwear, regardless of age, there’s nowhere better than ME+EM. Our wardrobes will always have room for the brand’s jumpsuits. My mum’s current favourite is the cream Leg Elongator Jumpsuit (£395), which she plans to wear to multiple events this summer. I’ve opted for the navy Very Wide-Leg Jumpsuit (£395). Given the eye-watering price tag, I’m determined to maximise cost-per-wear – styled with trainers for work, boots for parties, and even flip-flops for the beach if necessary.

Very Wide-Leg Jumpsuit

£395

Leg Elongator Jumpsuit

£395

River Island

While I’ve abandoned their skimpy, cropped vests, I haven’t abandoned River Island. Once seen as a younger shopper’s destination, it has seriously grown up, in part thanks to a series of collaborations with other British brands. This floral shirt dress (£69), from its latest collection with Somerset-based homeware brand Cabbages & Roses, particularly caught my mother’s eye, and I plan on borrowing it for trips to the pub this summer.

Floral Halter Neck Shirt Dress

£69

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Blue Tailored V Neck Waistcoat

£39

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Blue Tailored Shorts

£32

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Mango Patent Leather Heels

£49.99

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Holland Cooper

For race day attire, we both agree that Holland Cooper does it best. Trendy yet elegant, it works across generations. The brand’s pussybow blouses (£149) and high-waisted trousers (£299), paired with heels, make for a reliable co-ord in my mother’s eyes. I lean towards its three-piece suits, mixing and matching them as investment staples in my wardrobe.

Double Breasted Blazer

£549

Ariella Blouse

£149

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Mint Velvet

When warmer months roll around, we turn to Mint Velvet. Its linen and embroidered pieces are stellar. This year, my favourite piece is the detailed cream jeans (£140), while my mother loves the linen dresses. Red – the must-have colour of the season, thanks to Matthieu Blazy’s showstopping scarlet pieces for Chanel SS26 – is where the brand scored highest for both of us. Their red broderie midi dress (£160) and linen military trim top (£89) are supremely chic.