15 Anti-Trend Items From Zara, M&S and COS That Have My 58-Year-Old Mum and I Hooked
From trousers and skirts to shoes and dresses, these are the pieces my mum and I are both eyeing up right now from Zara, M&S and COS, despite our 30-year age gap.
Those who know me know that I do not buy something without my mum's approval. After more than three decades as a fashion buyer, she’s an expert at knowing what’s truly worth investing in and what isn’t. She’s ruthless in the best way: always open to experimenting with new cuts, colours and styles, but never one to buy something on a whim. Above all, she avoids wearing whatever happens to be trending at the moment...
What’s interesting is that, despite a 30-year age gap, our tastes overlap more than they differ. Trends might come and go, but we both gravitate towards pieces that feel lasting—clean lines, great fabrics and silhouettes that don’t date. This week, instead of our usual back-and-forth over one brand, we compared notes across three of our most reliable high-street go-tos: COS, Zara and M&S. The brief was simple: we were after spring pieces that feel anti-trend but still fresh. Think TKTK tktkktktkt
The result? Fifteen anti-trend buys we both instantly agreed on. See our favourite anti-trend Zara, COS and M&S buys for spring 2026 below.
My mum and I regularly share the contents of our wardrobes with one another, despite a more than 30-year age gap.
Shop Our Favourite Anti-Trend Pieces From M&S, Zara and COS:
The Best Anti-Trend Pieces From Zara:
You can never go wrong with a classic white blouse and jeans.
Both my mum and I are on the hunt for a spring suit, and I think we've found it!
A chocolate brown option still feels timeless, but is just a slightly fresher option compared to black.
A pair of sandals that are comfy and chic is an essential for the season ahead.
I'll take the entire look, please.
The Best Anti-Trend Pieces From COS:
I have a black dress from COS from last summer and it's just the easiest thing to wear on a hot day when you have no energy to get dressed, but still want to look put together.
What would a spring/summer shopping edit be without a basket bag?
I love black in summer, but I think navy always look a touch more elegant.
The is the perfect top to wear with shorts, jeans or trousers in the evening.
My mum and I both love this faded blue wash.
The Best Anti-Trend Pieces From M&S:
M&S always nails it when it comes to great summer dresses.
My mum lives in M&S linen from March to September.
A slightly more trend-led piece, but the simple colour and cut of this jacket make it timeless, too.
We bought these in the olive and the black.
The definition of anti-trend!
