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Original poster

To not get Cos

87 replies

goose1964 · 12/04/2018 14:50

I've looked at the website and see how miserable the models look wearing the clothes, but when I was shopping yesterday I went into the shop to have a look at what seemed to be rows of sacks in various format and the highlight was a pink cardi that Dolores Umbridge would have been proud of

OP posts:

Floisme · 14/04/2018 12:57

Sorry, I will withdraw 'sniping' - it was a poor choice of word.

But I do think people get unnecessarily defensive about Cos at times when it's entirely their own choice - and presumably part of their marketing strategy - to present the clothes the way they do. If they had a slogan, I imagine it would be 'Are you cool enough for Cos?' I like the clothes but I don't warm to the company.

Thebirthdayparty · 14/04/2018 13:04

But that is your personal opinion Flous. Half of my wardrobe is Cos, I would describe myself as a very safe, plain and anything but cool dresser! For me cool is All Saints and I can’t even come up with another brand because I have absolutely no idea what cool even is!

The only reason I ‘defend’ Cos is because they seem to be singled out as a brand that is acceptable to skate on MN by people who don’t even wear clothes from there. I don’t wear Biden clothes but I wouldn’t open threads to complain about them.

Thebirthdayparty · 14/04/2018 13:05

slate
Boden

Floisme · 14/04/2018 13:08

Of course it's my personal opinion. That's why I always cram my posts with 'I think' and 'personally'.

I think - and yes this again is my personal opinion - that Cos rather like being singled out. If they didn't, I very much doubt they wouldn't present their clothes the way they do on their website.

Floisme · 14/04/2018 13:09

Sorry - very much doubt they would present their clothes...

missbonita · 14/04/2018 13:15

I wear Cos clothes for work because I get sexually harassed if I wear fitted things and hate suits. DH calls my style "Nordic/Chinese peasant Man=Repeller chic" which has a certain ring to it no?

Thebirthdayparty · 14/04/2018 13:16

Their website is t any different to how Zara model clothes though?

Anyway I don’t have a personal affiliation with Cos other than buying them and being really appreciative that they exist at all because since having children my body shape changed and I was completely lost regarding clothes. And one other thing, their customer service is second to none.

wowfudge · 14/04/2018 13:36

Cos is the premium brand of the folks who own H&M - as Banana Republic is to Gap, but significantly better imo.

Thebirthdayparty · 14/04/2018 13:44

Not forgetting Arket who sit in the middle.

hunterbear · 14/04/2018 13:48

With respect I think you have to be rather chic to 'get' Cos.

I'm not sure it's the right fit for a Monsoon customer.

Very different taste level.

Thebirthdayparty · 14/04/2018 13:50

Perhaps Monsoon dressers are the chic ones?

Olddear · 14/04/2018 14:05

Love cos!

mercurymaze · 14/04/2018 14:11

hunter that is a ridiculous thing to imply, that people who like monsoon aren't 'chic' enough for cos?

As like all shops nice things in each and horrible things in each.

Hypermice · 14/04/2018 14:15

Nordic/Chinese peasant Man=Repeller chic

I’m very much liking this as a sartorial stance.

ABuckToothedGirlinLuxembourg · 14/04/2018 17:03

This seems to get mentioned a lot. I don’t get boden, or joules, or next even. But I very much get Cos. Different styles for different people!

brogueish · 14/04/2018 19:24

I really hope that my post didn't come across as "sniping". Absolutely each to their own; I just find it interesting that Cos often get singled out for these sort of posts and I don't understand why. There are so many shops out there!

Mercurial123 · 15/04/2018 05:48

Floisme but COS really isn't that cool I've been shopping there for over six years and I've seen teenagers in there and people 60+ especially in their Scandinavian stores it appeals to all ages. I love minimalist well made clothes at a reasonable price. Most of my trousers are from there now I no longer wear skinny jeans.

Vexatious · 15/04/2018 05:50

'I don't get Cos' seems to be as regular as the tides on Style and Beauty.

CountFosco · 15/04/2018 07:29

Maybe the COS hate is actually a marketing trick. I learnt about COS because people were slagging it off so obviously went to check out the website. Last season I bought more clothes from COS than anywhere else. The quality of the fabrics for the cost is fab. I get pretty plain stuff from there, I'm too short to carry off their more interesting draping. But I find the more I wear the apparently simple stuff the more I appreciate the cut and fabric.

Floisme · 15/04/2018 09:55

Mercurial I know that. Let me say it again - I like the clothes at Cos. I used to take the piss but I was wrong. If i lived near a branch they would probably be my go-to store but, as it is, I only buy occasionally. This pisses me off.

I've tried buying from the website and given up as I just cannot fathom out what will look good on me and what size I need. On other threads, posters have told me that Cos often run the same styles every season so that once you're a regular, you can spot your clothes instantly. Fine. But I'm not a regular and at this rate, I'm never going to be.

I don't believe this is an accident. Cos is not a small company that can't afford a decent website - Hennes & Mauritz are huge. I think they like it that people don't get them. It gives them an aura.

rightknockered · 15/04/2018 11:07

I have yet to try Arket, like the look of their stuff on the website, but wondering what the sizing is like?
I'm more likely to repeat buy from shops when I can understand the sizing. The shops I do buy from regularly have earned my custom by having excellent customer service, with Whistles, for instance, I know I can ring up and a lovely shop assistant will measure garments with a tape measure for me if I'm unsure of sizing, but generally Whistles sizing has worked out to be pretty consistent for me. Same with Allsaints. I know I could never do that with H and M or Next.

phoolani · 15/04/2018 14:18

Ah floisme I still remember your cos turnaround!
I totally get ‘not getting’ Cos - most of my wardrobe is from there, but each to their own - but I don’t understand people who don’t get the price point/quality ratio: I can’t find anywhere where it’s so good. The quality is amazing for the price; stuff lasts for years and looks as good as when it was bought. The only exception I’ve found (and believe me I’ve done extensive research!) is their basic, one colour t shirts. They don’t wash well at all.

Thebirthdayparty · 15/04/2018 14:22

Flois. It is coming across that you are annoyed because there isn’t a store near you. And as a result, you are annoyed at their website.

But their website is very simply laid out. Their sizing is consistent. If you are a 10 on top in UK sizes and 12 on the bottom, then you are a size small in tops in Cos and a size medium in bottoms and dresses.

Their clothes have an interesting cut and tend to be more generous with the amount of material, and are cleverly cut to disguise rounder stomachs eg using side zips instead of front zips, pleats etc. The weight of their fabrics is usually heavier than other shops but I’m at a loss as to how you expect them to portray all that on their website any more than any other shop does? They give full dimensions, size of models etc.

I sometimes buy from Anthropologie and find the Cos website gives a huge amount of information in comparison.

As with many shops, Cos may suit some figures more than others. For people like me with a mum tum and non existent waistline, it is my go to place and more than half my wardrobe is from there. There is a large store nearby but I buy the majority of my clothes including Cos online because shopping with small children is not enjoyable.

I hope this post comes across as helpful as is its intention and isn’t coming across as me trying to be ‘cool’. Believe me I am most definitely not!

Floisme · 15/04/2018 14:41

Thank you phoolani and birthday for those suggestions. Yes I am annoyed. There are few shops left on the high street that I like and Cos is one of them.

It's not so much that they don't have a branch near me. That would be much appreciated but lots of stores don't.

Their website - what can I say? Thank you for those tips but honestly I have tried many times but have only kept one thing (a jumper, very nice).

I don't find their sizing consistent.
I think descriptions would be helpful, along the lines of, 'This is slightly oversized so we advise sizing down if you prefer a closer fit.' Or pointing out that what appears to be a sack has strategically placed pockets to add shape.
Me and Em - a much smaller company than Hennes and Mauritz - do this.
Or customer reviews. Many stores do these. It's not rocket science.

I have defended their clothes on other threads, especially when people come out with tosh about it being for women who want to hide (not on this thread but on others). But I really don't think it's a great mystery why so many women don't get it. And if they are singled out then I think they deserve it.

Floisme · 15/04/2018 14:48

Toast are another company who I think are a bit up themselves even though I like their stuff. But I find buying online from them much easier than from Cos (aside from the price). This is because a) I find their sizing consistent and b) their customer reviews are very helpful.

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