What's In The Shops: COS AW24

Getting all sweaty in the changing rooms, so you don't have to...

I love shopping online. Piecing the new-in with your old-timers in the comfort of your home is unrivalled. Especially for me, I don’t live in London, so a lot of the stores where I like to shop are a four-hour round-trip away, hence why I share many inside jokes with all the local delivery drivers. I do, however, visit London weekly for meetings and events, and I thought whilst I was up there, I could do some on-the-ground reporting of what’s in the shops and what’s actually good. This way, it’s me getting sweaty in a changing room, not you, plus I can save you the big ol’ faff of back-and-forth returns.

First up, COS. We do actually have a branch in Brighton - which defeats the whole point of this post!! Although, in my defence, it is on the smaller side. Here’s what made it into the changing room with me…

COS Brown Wool Top* - £55 - I tried on a M, but I think a S would have been better, so I’d recommend going one size down

I liked the fit of this top. It was quite long in the body, which is handy for a long-torso gal like myself, and the sleeves are lengthy, too, so there’s a lot of ‘scrunching up’ potential. Be warned that it’s sort of sheer - you could see my black bra through the brown colour - although that doesn’t put me off, but it is something to note. The colour range is vast, ticking all the neutral boxes and a few pops of pastels, too. If you’re not as bothered about it being 100% wool, then try this one* for more than half price.

COS Volume Wide-Leg Jeans in Mid-Blue - £95 - I tried on a 28 (I’m usually a 29 in jeans), but actually, they felt a bit too big, and I think a 27 would have been right, so I’d recommend going two sizes down

I couldn’t give these a fair test because they weren’t the right size, and I felt bad giving the changing room attendants the run around when I knew they weren’t something I would buy because I am very well catered for already in the denim department. These felt like the Wide-Leg Sézane pair that I love*, but they are £30 cheaper, so if they are something you’ve been eyeing up, then these might be worth a shot. They felt like a good, relaxed, ‘weekend’ pair of jeans.

COS Cashmere Jumper* & Cashmere Trousers* - £180 & £155 - I tried on both in a M, and they were perfect

I can’t lie. These very almost came home with me. BUT, it would be my third pair of brown wide-leg knitted trousers in the space of a month and even I could see that that felt a little unhinged!!!! If it wasn’t for the pair that I picked up in New York, then I think I would have left the shop with the full set. Both pieces were so soft and cosy and I could see them becoming my working-from-home uniform for the winter. There I go… talking myself into them again! Nice broken up and worn individually, but even better worn together.

COS Cowl-Neck Long-Sleeved Maxi Dress* - £85 - I tried on the M, and it was the perfect fit (I’m a U.K. size 12)

This was a slinky number for me; far slinkier than what I’d usually wear. But I liked the unusual neckline, and something about it gave ‘gallery chic’, you know? If evening plans fill your diary far more than they do mine, then I think this would look LUSH with a pair of square-toed heels, chunky gold earrings and your hair loosely tied back. MY WORD. It’s one of those dresses that feels far more expensive and is far easier to look after than you’d think.

COS Draped Silk Shirt* - £180 - I tried on the M, but I think I should have sized down to the S

I made a beeline for this after spotting it online, and I have to say that it delivered. It’s such an unusual neckline - it just sort of falls back on itself. A steamer feels like a MUST with this! The deep brown chocolate silk was delicious, and I liked the long cuff detail on the sleeve. We’re always looking for ‘nice going out tops™️’, and this feels like exactly that. As with most things COS, it was very oversized, so I’d keep that in mind if you make an order.

COS Chunky Pure Cashmere Jumper* - £225 - I tried on the M and I liked the oversized fit (go one size down from your usual if you want a closer fit)

Ok now we get into the real meat and bones. I’ve heard so many people rave about this jumper so I was excited to meet it in the flesh. The cashmere is so soft and the cuffs and neckline are thickly ribbed. I can see why it’s so hyped online. For me though, I felt like the colour was too pale - I prefer my grey tones to be a little deeper and more marled, so I was ok leaving it behind. I did however have a full on photoshoot with this piece which shows how much I loved the fit!!! It’s just £50 too expensive in my opinion.

COS Double-Breasted Wool-Herringbone Coat* - £250 - I went one size down in this and wore the S

Erm, so yes I did leave the shop with this. It’s come home with me. If there is one department where COS really excels it’s in coats and jackets (trousers too, but I’d just been to Berenjak for lunch and I wasn’t hugely in a trouser trying-on mood!). I’d been on the lookout for a heavy, high-wool-blend brown coat and this was exactly what I was looking for. You know when you just put a coat on and it feels like a second skin? Yeah, that. I toyed with the M, but it felt a little too roomy. I could still fit a chunky jumper under the S comfortably, so it felt right to size down. I’m so, so happy with it.

COS Wool-Trimmed Car Coat* - £200 - I wore a M, but I’d say you could go one size down in this this

This also left the shop with me. I wasn’t planning on leaving with a jacket and a coat, but that’s just the way it goes in COS!! This is why I don’t shop in person all that often!! I’ve obviously got some lessons in self-discipline to learn. I think I’d mentioned this coat in a Weekly Wishlist a month or two ago and putting it on felt like an old friend. Car coats are sort of the plainer version of a trench - a trench without the bells and whistles - and I really enjoy the simplicity. I liked how it felt like a chilled weekend ‘heading down to the park’ coat, in the chicest way. It’s sadly out of stock online, but if you like the shape then this feels very similar*.

So there you go! A new series that is potentially terrible for my bank balance, but better for your carbon footprint. Even if it’s just a reminder of things that you have in your wardrobe that you want to dust off, or gives you some ideas for new outfit formulas. Where shall I head to next?

Until next time!

Anna x