I am baffled by the popularity of Cos

[crystalgall]

Who wants to look like this?!

The model looks like her head has shrunk or that she is wearing clothes about 10 sizes too big for her.

Everything is so shapeless and blah and yet it's lauded as a style haven.

I don't get it.

I've got that dress Diana in the navy. Love it. With a chunky necklaces and tights I am immediately "done".

Agree with the stats too- I usually struggle to the dressing room with armfuls of stuff and come out with one item! Worth it though as usually a gem.

I agree though- some items are horrific.

The good stuff is soooo good. I had a wonderful merino wool 'bum warmer' top, which was brilliant when BFing with proper sports leggings. I shrank it in the wash and cried. And immediately rebought it. It's soooo perfect.

A bit off topic, but can I share this absolute shocker from Top Shop which I accidentally saw today while looking at some gorgeous slouchy midi dresses. Was the designer trying to win a bet?
It's not doing the model any favours

In the words of the dear departed Smash Hits Topshop has 'gone down the dumper'. I've have a £200 gift card in my wallet for months and I can't find anything to spend it on.

I'm not buying again from Top Shop for as long as Philip and Tina Green remain in charge. I'm fully aware that's inconsistent of me and that fashion ethics are dismal everywhere you look but I just cannot bear the thought of those two seeing another penny of my money.

The models are the problem, I want to tell them to stand up straight and wash their hair. And with tops they always style them with those awful culottes. Usually when i look at clothes online I think "that looks nice on the model but it probably wouldn't look nice on me" but with cos I've started to see that it might look nice on someone who is standing up straight, smiling and has washed their hair. I also think a lot of the time they just don't really fit the models.
It's a bit hard work though eh?

Good point. The idea of contributing towards even half a tassel that might adorn one of the cushions on their superyacht is unappealing.

They've got some lovely looking draped dresses Mitzy (not tried them on so they might be crap in the flesh). Some eyeball burners as well though.

And more importantly you have to spend that voucher because otherwise the cash on it is pure profit for those moral-free leeches.

Topshop's Boutique line has some really lovely stuff - I tend to head for there when I'm in as it's a crop top free zone and more 'me' but I do agree about the turn off of the 'Green factor'.

I like your thinking David

Okay I'll spend the voucher and then flick them the Vs thereafter!

I did see that pink dress diana and thought hurrah something that actually looks like it would look normal on a normal person. The second one would once again look like a bin bag on my 5'2 frame.

I bought almost exclusively from topshop in my 20's. 35 now and walk out after 3 minutes. Tasselled tops? Frayed ripped shorts? Weirdly cutout arm tops? Noooooooo

I'll see your Cos and raise you Acne Studios

www.acnestudios.com/se/en/hadlee-chunky/19G164-900.html#

I like it, I like acne to.

Cos, h&mand &mother stories are all the same group aren't they. Cos is the more growin up, polished one I suppose. I love the underwear. They usually do one or two graphic prints per season which I like. Same with & other stories- which I prefer to Cos.

I guess it's Scandinavian style coming to the Uk.

Someone has called a frock shop "Acne"

MN was also responsible for me wandering into Seasalt over the summer. OK, nice enough macs and so'westery gear, and I'll give anyone's stripy Harbour/Breton call it whatever wankery you want to a punt over the crap that has become the Boden-Mis-stitched-seam-overpriced stripey top, but I can't see me wearing a frock made out of 4 yr old boy's bedroom curtains anytime soon.

I like H/M stuff on the website, then I go in and just feel old, and the music irritates me, and I have to pretend I'm looking for dd to not feel ancient.

Can I also complain about Zara's non-vanity sizing while I'm on a roll? I'm a 10 bottom and a 12 (busty) top. Except in fucking Zara where I am (apparently) an XL. They can fuck the fuck off with that.

Ha I nailed it eh crystal!

Strangely enough SIL (also likes comptoir des cottoniers and the odd Zara piece whereas her SIL likes really unique bits like Top Shop Boutique but more out there... Her SIL is far more Hackney hipster re design though.

I agree though mitzi Top Shop is dire, they had some great bits but it looks like cheap tat now.

I do like &other stories though even though I'm older than their target market (but look younger), just seems better quality, nicely designed, nice fabrics and patterns/graphic prints like Funkinell says, not all is great but I feel it's more wearable than Cos.

Then I've gone off Zara for basics (stitching, buttons etc there I find appallingly badly done) now but the odd patterned top or skirt (got SIL a nice top in there this or last year) and some of their knitwear is nice.

Someone said their stock on the continent is better maybe different I think so too. Sizing not bad for me, I'm a medium there or sometimes a small on top...

So there are a few knitwear type things that look nice and everyone keeps saying how good the quality is but a lot of it is Lyocell based. Anyone know what that is? Or are the good quality things more the cashmere and merino?

I have dresses from Cos, I am 5'4 and a size 12-14.
Every single time I wear them, somebody asks me where they're from.
I absolutely love Cos!

I live in the north so have only been in to their shops when in London
Agree they missing a trick being so London centric,ditto uniqlo
I want to like their clothes, I love the architectural minimalism of them and the pared down colour palette.
Unfortunately everything is huge on me and just swamps me
That may look ok on young waifs but not us of a more mature persuasion..

My two jumpers are a mix of cotton, silk, cashmere and I think one of them has some viscose. For me 'good quality' isn't just about the fabric, it's about how well something wears and washes - and these have.

Isn't lyocell one of those fabrics that's made from wood pulp so can claim to be natural, although lots of chemicals are used in production? I've seen it a lot in places like Jigsaw. I don't know if it's the same as viscose or a 'sister' fabric.

I am neither young nor a waif Georgina

Yeah, I appreciate that you can have a poor quality garment made of natural fibres and good quality clothes can be made of other fabrics, it was more to ask if anyone had experience of the lyocell stuff and if it washed ok etc. Googling reveals it is indeed a wood pulp and is otherwise known as tencel which I'm pretty sure I've had before. I cant remember what it was like though.
I might order and see what it looks like. If it turns me into a miserable bad hair I'm blaming you lot!

I love COS but I have to be careful about the shapes since I have an hourglass shape and big boobs so lots of shapes don't look good on me. They do have stuff which is fitted on the waist though and it's just a matter of choosing for your shape. The accessories are also really good and I love the shoes. It's obviously not for everyone but that suits me.....I don't want to see clones everywhere. These are a couple of images I had pinned

Well just don't bloody go in there / look at the website then if it puzzles and distresses you so much!

It has lots of natural fibres (wool, cotton, silk) and a certain modern, minimalist aesthetic that is either your thing or isn't. For the quality it is good value.

I am mid 50s, 5'6, size 14 and most of my clothes are from Cos. I also have quite a lot of Acne!

The website doesn't like my iPad/rural Internet combo.