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Original poster

Alternative to Cos

26 replies

Flakeyface · 09/08/2019 18:21

Yes I know half of you think it’s hideous!
Please help. I look terrible. I’m a tiny old wild haired troll. I can’t wear patterns and I don’t like preppy or twee. I like cos clothes. Is there anything similar?

OP posts:
imtakingabath · 09/08/2019 18:23

Arket? & Other Stories?

fiorentina · 09/08/2019 18:39

Kin at John Lewis. Some of Uniqlo clothes can have a similar style. Also Arket and some pieces in H&M.

Deathraystare · 09/08/2019 18:44

I’m a tiny old wild haired troll

Oh bless you! I am sure you are not!

ZazieTheCat · 09/08/2019 19:35

Beaumont Organic

AwkwardSquad · 09/08/2019 20:33

I’m a tiny old wild haired troll.

That sounds pretty cool, actually. Uniqlo might work. Kin stuff is generally massive.

AwkwardSquad · 09/08/2019 20:36

Might be worth having a good search through John Lewis’s own label range. There are some decent basics.

Alsohuman · 09/08/2019 20:41

Arket is a good call. So is Kin at John Lewis - so vanity sized that an 8 fits me!

MrDarcysMa · 10/08/2019 20:56

Uniqlo is good for small people. Arket, H&M, ASOS white, and even Monki do good plain coloured dresses/ basics, same cuts as cos.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 10/08/2019 21:08

Kin stuff is huge and shapeless - not good for tiny trolls.

thedevilinablackdress · 11/08/2019 10:02

I like COS and I also like Toast, Oska, Masai
All a bit more £ but I go for sales or eBay

Original poster
Flakeyface · 11/08/2019 10:30

Thanks for all the advice. Am wading through them looking. I’ve also booked a hairdressers appointment for the chop!
I saw myself in a shop security camera and was horrified 😬

OP posts:
QuaterMiss · 11/08/2019 10:37

tiny old wild haired troll and a way with words! Everything I dream of being.

I’m inclined to think Cos has gone downhill since they stopped being a niche secret - so you’re not missing all that much.

How tall are you?

And how far from a Cos budget can you stretch?

yikesanddang · 11/08/2019 10:43

I always find Toast things to be too mung bean and hemp. So....peasant like. And the fabrics are like something made in textile class.

Floisme · 11/08/2019 10:55

I’m inclined to think Cos has gone downhill since they stopped being a niche secret
Ain't that typical - soon as I (finally) see the light, it starts going to the dogs. But I still think it's leagues ahead of anywhere else on the high street.

I was in Seasalt yesterday.... No listen, they're not normally my thing but they had several tops and dresses in a heavyish linen, straight cut, functional looking, no prints. I didn't try any of them on but I looked and thought 'Cos'. I think the dresses even had pockets.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 11/08/2019 10:57

Pmsl 're Toast. A lot of it is pretty awful. I've got one linen jacket from there - a charity shop find. Their stuff is ridiculously expensive and mostly not very nice.

Very occasionally I find things in Warehouse (lots of it is bloody awful though) or M&S (ditto).

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 11/08/2019 10:59

Also Fatface very (very!) occasionally has plain black dresses and skirts.

Floisme · 11/08/2019 11:07

I normally stick to admiring the trousers and coats in Toast but this time I like some of the dresses and skirts too. I'm not sure whether this is because that silhouette is more fashionable at the moment, or whether it's me and I'm going to end my days in an Amish community.

thedevilinablackdress · 11/08/2019 11:11

Oi! Some of us like the mung bean and hemp look 😁

Alsohuman · 11/08/2019 11:48

With Toast it’s all about what you wear with it. Accessories change everything.

AwkwardSquad · 11/08/2019 14:37

Unfortunately with Toast dresses I look a member of the Amish community after a punishment haircut and a shunning, but I do like the trousers this season.

CocteauTwin · 11/08/2019 14:47

I am still in love with COS after many years - great cuts and quality, but getting pricier of late, so I'm trying to stick to buying in the sales only.

However I second Seasalt for some things. I got a beautiful green linen dress, slightly oversized, with pockets a few months back. It definitely has a COS look to it. I also have had hits in H&M, Uniqlo and Arket.

Another place I love is a Glasgow based shop called Love & Squalor. All the clothes are hand made in the shop, and designed by the owner, Rebecca Coyle. Most of it is quite oversized, and made in linen. It's all very reasonably priced given it's handmade, and it's sustainable too. For example, the linen dress I have from Seasalt was £75, the Lorraine dress from L&S, which I also have, costs £85. Only one is handmade! You can buy online too: www.loveandsqualor.co.uk/shop

Ihatemyseleffordoingthis · 11/08/2019 15:13

I love severe clothes so Cos is my go to.
I have had the odd surprise hit (dresses/blouses) from Zara. You have to scour for it though. Also - who knew? - occasional absolute finds on ASOS White and MONKI - v fashion forward, cheap and cheerful - but mostly sustainable - some excellent prints.

thedevilinablackdress · 11/08/2019 16:29

Hey CocteauTwin another Love and Squalor fan here! 😀

DoraNora · 11/08/2019 16:37

If you are tiny ... I can't wear Cos as I'm too short and my boobs are too big (I look like a tree stump), however I've had some success with Boden petite things being mistaken for Cos. Very carefully selected of course ...

Alsohuman · 11/08/2019 16:50

Love and Squalor is amazing. Thank you for the recommendation @CocteauTwin.