I want to look like an architect

[NinaRose]

Met up with some of my old school friends last week. A couple of them are architects and looked great: edgy, quirky yet classy in a simple kind of way. Neither of them has a lot of money so I doubt they spend much on their clothes but they looked much better than some of the other people there who clearly had (spent a lot).

I desperately want the same look, where do I start? Which shops or labels do I look up?

Going back several pages - forgot I'd written something - yes, I was not being 100% serious. But I do like a few - just a few - of their things.

Yes Belinda, it's mainly how I feel with weight. I have to keep on top of it always, but I really hate the feeling of extra weight. I am hippy, so definitely curvy enough, I need no more.

Those returns labels are sneeaaaky. I hate them, I see the label, go 'oh great' and then find I get charged. Grr. Ok ok should have read condtns, but still..

Kablooger, I'd only know know you because of my excellent expert sleuthing skills. I strongly suspect no one else would ever know. Shh.

I thought it was free returns when I looked. Although it was going to be free postage. I may have gone a bit mad

lurkingaround I thought it is free returns. See: "How to return or exchange for free" www.cosstores.com/gb/Customer_Service/Return_or_Exchange

If it isn't, that's rather misleading!

Belinda -good photos. I agree the website photos give no idea how it will work on a curvy body

Are you sure you are hour glass? Your bum looks tiny in the chambray dress

I have the top like the blue silk dress and have worn it a lot this season

Well that does look like returns are free, toothless. I must be wrong. It's a while since I ordered online from them, but I have a distinct memory of having to pay for returns. Maybe it's changed? Great if it has!

Is anyone on here an actual architect? I am and have never heard of Cos! I am currently wearing a pair of black skinny jeans and an Oasis multicoloured print t shirt with a skinny blue cardi. And I was working with clients today.

I agree with ThisIsShe that most of the female archs i know are not overly fussy with their clothes mainly because we have to go on building sites! I do wear make up (but not a lot) but I do go to to a decent hairdresser and have a quality cut. My nails are broken and unvarnished /not gelled. Hope I haven't spoiled the illusion!!

Are you UK lurking? There is an asterisk and it says free returns UK.

Do I have to pay for my return?

The return label provided is pre-paid so we will deduct the cost of return postage from your refund* when we receive and approve your returned items. Exchanges for the same item in a different colour or size are free!

*Returns from the UK are free.

belinda I just looked at your blog and you look great in every one of those dresses! The photos also help show off the quality of the material.

Not a fan of the COs dressss. Even on the lithesome belinda

Their dresses are far, far too long for me. Belinda - you look as if you need a six in most of them - do they not do one?

Kristina - I have hips and a bust and a waist, so say I am hourglass, but I have skinny legs and put weight on my torso, so feel I'm an hourglass cum apple. I think I've just become a full blown narcissist to say all this .

Kristina and toothless - Really pleased the fabric quality and wearability of the clothes come across - that's the main aim w those change room selfies.

Remus - they only go down to size 34/8, can you believe?! I have no idea how truly petite women find clothes to fit if the smallest size is roomy on me.

And sizes are getting bigger. I recently had to buy an 8 in M&S - am a 12 - so the real size 8 and lower people must have to buy children's clothes! In fact, I tried some shorts on in the children's dept at M&S in age 12 and they were too big for me - sizing has gone crazy.

Do you know, I sometimes look in children's clothes, and I have friends who often need to. It is ridiculous, and if wish sizing was regulated (I read that it used to be, on a recent MN thread). It makes shopping much harder, and it's unnecessary; surely we are all big girls who can cope w seeing our real size written down and don't need this pandering by vanity sizing?

I follow a pinterest board entitled Gamine, it has lots of 'architects' looks on it (and indeed, first pin I saw today was an outfit from cos!)

Sigh. I love the architect/Audrey Hepburn in funny face look. Beautifully pinned back hair, quirky glasses, unfussy and simple tailoring.

I'm too much of a vintage grunger to pull it off but i am in awe of people who manage to do this look without looking boring. It's awesome.

See, I get Cos. I like the idea of Cos. My graphic-designer SiL looks fabulous in Cos. But it looks shit on me (at least what's in ATM) because it's all so boxy. My style is elegant stream-lined classic with a quirk, but because of my enormous frontage and hourglass shape I look terrible in anything unfitted, in high necklines, with any artistic golds or drapes or pleats. So Cos is out ATM :-(

Folds, not golds!

Liking this thread. Am going to head into the Cos at Westfield Stratford this weekend, anything in particular I should look out for/avoid? Am size 12, 5ft3. Like the look of those 'slim cotton trousers' linked upthread, will try and find those in black. Ok to wear with brown brogues do you think? With...socks?

bum, Cos order on way and it must have emptied out the trousers, so I have had to pay postage

ooh rang them, excellent customer service, they've refunded the postage and sent the other ones free

Just look at this Dress of Deliciousness: www.cosstores.com/gb/Shop/Women/Dresses/Crossover_back_wool_dress/46881-17564747.1#c-24479 Just so beautiful, understated and pared down but luxurious. Yum.

Am planning to go into London next week for a trying on session to find a couple of weekend day dresses for Autumn. Can't wait, but need to sit on my hands until then to try to not order the delicious dress.

I agree it's lovely

But I don't suit black

Please nate for us from the fitting room