Cos ...tell me all about them

[imalloutofideas]

Please. Thank you!

[DillyDilly]

What exactly do you want to know ?

You really need to try on the clothes, they can look awful on their website/on a rail. The quality is ok, they’re good for basics that you can wear year after year.

There’s a certain sharpness and shape to their clothes that not everyone likes.

[thedevilinablackdress]

Marmite. I like COS (and Marmite). Generally pretty decent quality for the money. A mix of extreme shapes and more classic stuff. I like checking out the menswear for t-shirts, knitwear and socks. Excellent hats.

[Floisme]

I think they're the best clothing store on the UK high street by a mile: interesting shapes, modern but not overly trend driven, great quality (although aficionados say it's not what it was) and very good value for money.

Some of it looks very odd indeed and, like a lot of people, I pointed and laughed until I had a proper look in a real shop.

I still think their website is shit and, as they're part of the H&M group, I don't think they have any excuse. They also exude this 'too cool for fashion' vibe which can be annoying - but not annoying enough to keep me away.

[ShivD]

I live Cos, their clothes really suit my shape (wide hips and things, small waist and chest) and the jeans are especially flattering for me. I like the quality of the fabrics of their basics and the androgynous style.

Another company under the H&M parent company to look at is Arket; the clothes a bit less boxy in style but still lots of nice fabrics and choice.

[ShivD]

Love not live!
Thighs not things!

[trendingsomewhere]

Agree Cos is Marmite.
Some of the clothes look amazing on me and I like the cuts and textures they use.
Some of the clothes look terrible on me, hang really strangely.
I like the stores though, not too big or busy (apart from Sale time)

[Divebar]

The first time I went into Cos ( about 10 years ago I think) I got heart palpitations because I loved it so much. They very much have their own style - it’s very architectural with unusual a-symmetry, folds and pleats which makes me think of Japanese style. They are moving away somewhat from their mostly black palette. I need to try items on because I’m an hourglass and I look better with items with a waist ( lots of theirs don’t ). I still get sucked into buying though. They were selling wide legged trousers when the whole world revolved around skinnies. I have bought numerous pairs of trousers, skirts, jumpers, shirts, a mac, shoes, a bag. They do very simple jewellery .... some of it very fine and some oversized. In shoes I have to size up. They have pretty good sales quite regularly. Ordering online takes about 4 days I think but I prefer to try on in store. They are a sister company to Arket , & Other Stories and H&M but are “ cooler” than all of them. Their items keep their value pretty well and sell quite well second hand.

[PurpleWithRed]

Similar to the above. Go into the store and rummage: I am currently wearing a Cos long sleeve t shirt from a couple of years ago. wonderful smooth cotton, a lovely blue and white stripe with a red neckline. the neckline sits perfectly between crew and boat and the bottom has a little curve. But to find it I had to reject a load of stuff that would make me look like a bag lady.

Oh look at their skinny legging trousers, mine have lasted forever.

The pictures in the website are deliberately awful to keep other people out, by the way.

[Musicforsnorks]

I’ve always liked cos, and their tendency to making nearly everything in navy blue

Good quality on the whole,,especially compared to many higher priced high street

But

Many items of merino sprout holes within weeks, and I handle/wash my delicates carefully. It’s just not a risk I’m going to take any more. This is over a series of years, so not just recent.

[thedevilinablackdress]

That's where the menswear wins for me snorks. Better quality knitwear.

[Judystilldreamsofhorses]

Love Cos - particularly because they tend to do the same item in multiple colours or two different fabrics, so if you find something you really like you can get two or three. Their trousers are great for me, I’m a size 10 with a small waist and big bum/hips. Dresses tend not to work so well on me, because a lot don’t have much of a waist and can look a bit triangular on my shape. Things like striped t-shirts are fab in the summer, and I also like a lot of the knitwear.

[Wavyheaded]

Baggy, shapeless clothes shaped like a tent, I don't know why Cos is so popular.

[RacheyCat]

I loved their A/W 18 collection, but their stuff this time round is a bit boring. Last year they had some wonderful statement knitwear sets, but nothing so memorable this time round. I'm happy to spend if the stuff is unusual, but less pleased to pay for their plain stuff.

Their S/S collections are full of too much tightly-woven cotton for me. It's too hot to wear that stuff in China, so even if I think it's pretty I never spend there during the warmer months.

[RacheyCat]

I agree with what a pp poster said about the quality of men's knitwear being better though! It's the same in Uniqlo - really pisses me off.

[LahLahsBigBand]

COS is my favourite high street brand. I can alway signs something for my chunky frame that flatters, looks quirky and cool. And they do block colour when no one else does. I wish their fabrics were nicer, but then they be more expensive so 🤷‍♀️

[fiorentina]

Agree on good quality and that trying on is v necessary as some items I’d downsize despite the outsize style.
I have lots of Cos clothes that I’ve had for many years including a work coat.
Good sale prices too.

[MaudesMum]

A few years ago, when I was fatter and also working in London, I wore Cos a LOT, buying some items in several colours. I loved their larger shirts, generously sized dresses and their knitwear - they fitted my trying to be a bit minimalist and quirky look. Now, not quite as fat and also not in London, I do buy less, but its still my favourite shop. I can also confirm that their clothes sell pretty well second hand - I've sold all my larger clothes via ebay over the last couple of years without much difficulty.

[ChanChanChan]

I'm a 5ft2" hourglass, not the shape or height that's typical on their website. But still I persevere with Cos because I love the neutral palette and interesting shapes and textures.

One of my favourite shops. Definitely works better if you can go into a branch to try lots of things on, browse the website first to get an idea of what you like.

[Moominfan]

I'm 5,2 and wear 14-16 does nothing for me. I think it's suited to someone slimmer with abit of height

[Judystilldreamsofhorses]

I wanted to add here, in case it’s relevant for anyone. Cos have recently changed delivery to Hermes, and will ONLY accept returns via a Hermes parcel shop. I am stuck with a jumper I don’t like because my nearest HPS is almost as handy as my nearest Cos (a three hour train journey away). My last order was in August, and they were still using DPD, so this has properly caught me out!

[LeGrandBleu]

I love the shirt and cashmere collars and the , some knitwear and the straight 3/4 coats. Other than that, I am the wrong shape, too slim in my case. You need to be in between.

[spinyffud]

Cos’s customer services have always been fabulous, although definitely not as good of late. I’m in Northern Ireland and their switch to Hermes has worked for me as we had no DPD drop off points at all.

Their styles are timeless and very good quality for cost.

[mrsrhodgilbert]

I love Cos and am lucky enough to live near to the Leeds store, I’d be devastated if it ever closed. I’ve been buying for several years, often a similar garment in different colours over several years. But I do think the fabrics have changed, items I bought a few years ago made from beautiful cotton are now made in an inferior mix. I have a wide selection of white shirts, all a bit quirky and they wash very well. I do cringe when I look at the website so you really do have to get to a store and try things on. I feel I’ve finally found my style in my fifties but I see all ages in there. Dd has just bought her first jeans there and is a convert.

[ilovecherries]

Judy, I’m the same. I buy a lot from COS but won’t buy online anymore. I got caught by the Hermes returns last week and our nearest is a 90 minute drive away. Fortunately my DD was home from uni for the weekend and took it back with her but it’s ridiculous. I wish companies would offer a RM option. A much bigger chunk of the population will have access to a PO within a reasonable distance than will have access to drop off points. Either that, or be clear upfront about return arrangements so I can make a choice if it’s worth me risking it.

[chasingseagulls]

Judystilldreamsofhorses I would definitely call customer services, they are really excellent and flexible, even if you've gone over the returns period. I wouldn't be surprised if they offered an alternative post solution. Based in Ireland so they don't have to rely on scripted responses.

BUT - I'm lucky well, not so lucky for my finances to have a Cos store in my local town. I had a little moan about the change to Hermes to one of the assistants, and she said they will soon be offering in-store returns for online orders. Maybe still not good if your store is also miles away, but it is another option.