Do you like your dresses big, your accessories minimal and your colour palette offbeat? Then you’re probably a COS girl like quite a few of our fashion friends in the industry. It’s where you can pick up directional, simplistic designs that you’d normally find at much higher price points or from very niche Scandi labels. The fabrics are always top-quality, and we still own COS items from the very first season when the brand debuted in the UK. Yep—its wares have stood the test of time and still look mint today.
Our love is a forever one, clearly. With an aesthetic of smock dresses, sensible shoes and neutral hues coming through right now, it’s no surprise that a few more brands of a similar ilk are surfacing. We looked to the minimalist experts we follow on Instagram (like Marisa Martins and Brittany Bathgate) to delve into a world of labels that will complement your COS pieces and give you a chance to try out something entirely new. Keep scrolling to see the brands like COS that we rate the most.
If top-quality wardrobe staples are what you’re after, then COS’s sister brand, Arket, will fulfil your fashion dreams. It makes the best tees, tanks, jeans, trousers, jackets… Basically, every single pillar of a modern wardrobe can be found here. You can also pick up more adventurous items there like printed dresses or utility jumpsuits. We’re also big fans of its small but mighty shoe edit.
Fashion people agree: Arket makes perfect blazers.
These are Arket’s best-selling pair of jeans.
Classic shirts are a true wardrobe staple.
All our editors are investing in striped jumpers right now.
With stores in New York and Paris, The Frankie Shop has become the go-to basics brand for the fashion-savvy shopper. But these are no ordinary staples: We’ve lost count of the number of items from this brand that have gone viral on Insta: from dramatic jumpsuits to humble loungewear co-ords. Not one to miss.
This influencer-approved jacket also comes in an all black version.
Frankie Shop’s laid back tailoring should not be overlooked.
Don’t sleep on their chic waistcoats.
This is an influencer favourite.
Weekday is yet another part of the H&M group (the company that owns COS), so it’s no surprise there’s a thread that links many of these Swedish brands together. Weekday, however, is aimed at a younger, more streetwear-appreciative audience. That means amongst the breezy dresses, flat sandals and wide-leg trousers, you’ll find some urban staples like hoodies, motif tees and cycling shorts too. We often shop the brand for jeans—its organic-cotton denim is more environmentally friendly but also a notoriously great fit when it comes to buying jeans on the high street.
Weekday’s iconic jeans come in every wash you can imagine.
Tube tops are a key layering piece in 2023.
A modern wardrobe staple.
Weekday’s knitwear is much-loved by our editors.
These days, it seems that if I spot a dress on Instagram that I really want to buy, it’s Reformation. But it’s not just dresses that Reformation always gets right. Their tailoring, knitwear and even shoes are becoming just as synonymous with the brand. From influencers to A-listers, Reformation’s pieces have been seen on everyone, and their very best pieces come in extended sizes.
The cut of these trousers is so good, and they come in a wide array of colours.
A chic wardrobe staple in luxurious cashmere.
Just one of Reformation’s many beautiful dresses.
The denim midi skirt craze looks set to continue into autumn.
Owned by the same company as Zara, Massimo Dutti feels like an older sibling with a more established identity. Sitting at a slightly higher price point (closer to COS and Arket than Zara), the elevated store has demanded our attention in recent seasons, impressing us with its minimalist footwear selection and designer-looking dresses in particular.
Massimo Dutti’s knitwear often sells out, so don’t expect this striped cardi to hang around for long.
You probably own an LBD, but do you own an LND (little navy dress)?
A classic shoe in a timeless autumn hue.
The styling here is impeccable.
COS’s leather goods are really quite spectacular—have you ever checked them out? We like them because they’re ultra plain but always a bit unique (like sandals with a sculptural mini heel or a bag rendered in a tubular shape). Following this kind of formula for arm candy is the Italian label Neous. My current favourite style is the classic Phoenix bag.
The egg closure is so unique.
The Lyra bag is understated yet striking.
This is basically a work of art, IMO.
The perfect size for your phone, card holder and a lipstick.
Baserange aims to create comfortable wardrobe pieces that don’t follow seasonal trends, using considered materials and natural fibers, such as bamboo and organic cotton. (It’s committed to eliminating synthetic fabrics from it collections.) Expect minimalist separates with a sporty twist, such as the brand’s knitted dress, which spiked last year after it was spotted on Monikh Dale.
Designed in a wrap silhouette so you can create the perfect fit.
This exemplifies Baserange’s classic-with-a-twist spirit.
This skirt feels really fresh.
The lingerie and base layers are worth a look-in, too.
Toteme focuses on refined minimalism that ensures all its pieces transcend trends. Each piece is created as a timeless element that can be part of your wardrobe rotations forever more. The Swedish brand has perfected the balance between unique designs that are instantly recognisable, and eternal designs that are simply reissued every year.
This striped sweater took Instagram by storm a few years ago, and we’re still thinking about it.
This jacket has become an icon of the brand.
An essential layering piece for between-seasons weather.
These side-zip leggings are another favourite with the brands followers.
