Just looked at COS for the first time in years...

[Plantagenette]

and noticed they've seriously upped production. I'd say to regular fast fashion levels now. I used to like the site because unlike so many others, there was a limited selection of good stuff, which was refreshing after endless infinite scrolls just looking for a cotton tee at M&S or H&M.

When I last looked at trousers on there, there's be around 30 to 50 items, now I'd say they're competing with Zara for never ending fashion crap, where your eyeballs spin in their sockets just to keep up with so much crap.

Is any store safe from over production nowadays? I bet they're still waxing lyrical about sustainability, lol.

Image of items in trouser section:

Wait til the sale, when all of it becomes 70% off! It is an H&M brand so it's not surprising really.

Real decline in quality over the last couple of years. Very noticeable.

And what is the difference between them and Arket? Struggling to distinguish now- Arket fabrics often stiffer and prices a little higher but often the basics are nearly identical

I'm still annoyed with myself for missing the Cos peak years because I was too busy pointing and laughing. By the time I'd caught up I think they were already in decline.
Even so, if anyone can think of anywhere at an equivalent price point that's better, please give me a shout!

The decline in quality is so noticeable, it’s very sad. I still wear CoS items I bought more than 10 years ago, but the more recent stuff looks bad after a few washes. I noticed the difference when buying an identical skirt a few years apart, the fabric and finish are not comparable. The only things that are still ok are 100% cotton t-shirts and dresses.

The wool blazers are good still

I think the parent company have just got too many brands and they all sort of morph in to one another now - I think it's odd that Monki & Arket are now on the H & M website too, like OP says, just way too much choice, it's getting like ASOS! They've tried to keep &other stories separate though.

Good Grief OP. I had to check myself there as I couldn't quite believe it. Nearly 400 trousers!!.
I have a COS store nearby and still enjoy a browse, but if it's going to be like H&M with new stock every week that'll put me right off.

I haven’t found any of this. It is still high quality when l buy it.

You’re right - it’s Too Much Stuff. No one’s going to believe there’s any inspired design USP when they’re churning out so much.

@Floisme In the early Cos years I bought a black, long sleeved, round necked top. Amazingly thick, stretchy cotton at the top, leather from the waist down. It was washable. I wore it probably at least twice a week for years and years. Until I was tired of it and longed for it to self-destruct.

Last time I went into a physical shop it was acres and acres of bright, block coloured poplin. Incredibly impractical - if a ladybird sneezed on you the whole thing would need laundering. You could spend an hour and barely find one really decent thing now.

Too much cheap poplin, black that isnt black and fades when washed

It’s part of H&M so unsurprising. It’s always annoyed me how COS bangs on about sustainability when it’s part of the worst fashion company in terms of sustainability.

There’s far too much choice on the website. I can’t believe there’s that much. It used to be much better and was much more pleasurable just choosing between say 20 pairs of trousers per season.

Why were you pointing and laughing?

I think the quality is still generally better than most, but have noticed things like a loose button on a coat. That's not ok given what they charge. The bags have always been crap. I've had several that have broken within months of purchase.

Because at the time a lot of it looked so bizarre to me, especially viewed online - I didn't live near a real shop so I'd never felt the fabrics or seen any of it on real bodies, which makes a big difference. There were lots of threads doing the same thing and I literally did an about turn smack in the middle of one. But by this stage I think they were already past their peak.

I tend to buy a work dress or two from Cos each autumn/winter. Since about 2019/2020 the quality is definitely poorer. They don’t wash as well, the seams are a bit more flimsy/cheap looking, the colour fades more quickly.

I’ve shopped in Cos for years so not imagining it!

I remember going to their Manchester store whenever I was up there, really enjoyed the vibe, the layout. I never did quite like the clothes though, even when the designs were strong there was something too stiff and shiny going on with the cotton.
I had a few cashmere accessories which did well, but this is going back a bit.
I like their minimal take on bags and jewellery, but much of the leather looked like cardboard in real life.
Same with Massimo Dutti, although i still rate their wool coats!

And like H&M they make all their jumper and tshirt necks throttlingly tight and high.

It has always been the case that their t shirts were … fine … until you wandered round the corner to (I’m imagining my local Selfridges) James Perse, American Vintage, or Frame. All admittedly much more expensive - but better cut.

(I’ve been a fan of the M&S men’s t shirts in the past, but can’t remember how they compare with Cos.)

I've been shopping at COS for over 13 years and used to love it. In the last year, I've only bought a black cotton dress, silk t shirt and felted wool jumper. All are excellent quality. My issue is that they aren't as interesting as they used to be.

The t shirts are fine for the price. Good quality and wear well.

Not if they’re linen! Gorgeous looking linen t shirt I bought over the first lockdown - was in shreds before I’d had it a year. Never had that happen before.

I bought some really good Cos trousers recently. Lovely quality and washed well. I agree their website has too much stuff and the stores are a bit uninspiring but there is some good stuff to be found.

The actual designs are much less interesting these days, too. Much more ugly but without the funky edge of a few years ago.

I quite like Cos but what are the alternatives? I like that structured look.