My Favorite Pieces at COS Right Now
PC: Florré
COS recently flew out editors and influencers to Seoul for its Spring/Summer runway show. On the photos, and perhaps from the front row, the styles look on par with something you might find at, say, Jil Sander. Yet we all know that the fast fashion brand falls into a much more affordable category, and most of its clothes aren’t made with the same craftsmanship, materials, or expertise as a brand like Jil Sander.
But for those of us who seek everyday minimalism, who live in a world where luxury is becoming harder to attain, COS offers a sweet middle ground to indulge in. Its styles are minimal, but not too boring; affordable, but not flimsy.
I recently stopped by the COS store on 5th avenue to check out its latest collection. After seeing its runway show in Korea, I felt inspired to try some of its pieces myself. And while I may not be able to fix a look on par with what walked down the catwalk, my mission was to find everyday summer pieces that I can easily pair with existing items in my closet.
On my wishlist are a couple of white blouses, a new summer dress, and Bermuda shorts wide enough to confuse men. And while I did find and try on quite a lot, only a few stuck out as possible newcomers to my closet. Below you’ll find the pieces that I tried on, without fully emptying the racks and annoying the sales associates.
My Favorite Pieces:
Here’s everything I tried on and tested at the COS fitting rooms. The items I did not end up liking were left out of this roundup. Overall, I think the price-to-product ratio is quite fair at COS, and I feel good about spending a few hundred dollars on the items I picked out.
COS Ruched Cotton Blouse, $129
Whenever I want to wear a sleeved white top, I gravitate toward my classic button-down. I find that style to be somewhat limiting, though, so I grabbed this ruched blouse with elongated short sleeves. It adds a bit of a visual flair without being too loud, which I appreciate.
COS Pleated Cotton Pants, $129
As stated in the intro, I’m looking for Bermuda shorts long enough to confuse men, and I found them. I love this laid-back style that’s both office-friendly and androgynous.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t find this exact dress on COS’s website, but linked is a similar silhouette with puff sleeves. It’s the ideal summer dress that can be worn casually to work and to brunch.
More Items I’m Eyeing:
Unfortunately, on my day of testing I only had a limited amount of time on my hands. Had I more time to leisurely browse, these would be the items I’d pick up!
A tuxedo blazer dress is exactly the kind of COS-coded attire that I love. It’s unique, yet minimal, and at under $200 feels like a steal. Just know that the scarf top underneath is not attached.
I’ve been looking for a necklace in this fashion for some time, and if I saw it in the store, I would have immediately taken it.
You can never go wrong with a mockneck mini dress. I hear that merino wool is an all-seasons kind of fabric, as it’s highly breathable and self-cleaning.
