I'm a Big COS Fan, But It's Really Outdone Itself With This Spring Drop

I never thought I'd see the day that would COS include neon in its new season collection, yet the brand's spring drop arrived last week, and alongside its classic offering of neutrals, there was a generous dose of highlighter hues. And you know what? It looked pretty damn cool. It's yet another example of how the brand has been adapting to the modern fashion market in recent years, cleverly harnessing its minimalist credentials to deliver collections that feel fresh yet not at all faddy.

Ever since it expanded out of its OG, "chic art lecturer" aesthetic, I have found myself increasingly drawn to COS's high-street offering. It does the best basics, whether it's jeans or T-shirts, which not only come in heavyweight fabrics but also boast purse-friendly price points. I have pieces from the brand that I've worn for five years plus, and they're still going strong.

This is why I decided to head to COS's Oxford Street store this month to bring you a definite line-up of the best buys from the brand's spring collection. I'm not exaggerating when I say that the other customers in the store were some of the chicest people I'd seen in London all week, and I loved how they spanned the ages of 17 and 70. That's not something that can be said for many high-street stores.

So what is on my wish list for 2022? Despite not being much of a pink lover, I found myself reaching for shades of blush and fuchsia as I strolled through the rails, which, conveniently, complemented the more muted shades of grey, beige and black that the brand does so well. I also recommend that you check out the tailoring on offer this season: The wide-leg trousers and double-breasted blazers are too good to miss. Ready? Scroll down to see and shop the pieces I'm loving from COS's spring drop. 

The Statement Suit

Style Notes: I think this suit, specifically the blazer, is one of my favourite pieces from the new collection. I'm wearing a size 10 here and, silhouette-wise, it's just the right amount of boxy without being shapeless. The trousers (also a 10 here) were a tad snug, so I would recommend sizing up if you prefer a looser fit round the hip area. I enjoyed creating a bit of a colour-clashing with a neon-green T-shirt base layer. 

SHOP THE LOOK

The Elevated Midi Dress

Style Notes: I saw this dress on COS's A/W 21 runway, and I was instantly won over by its silken fabric and cape-like neckline, which can be worn either across the shoulder, like you see here, or draped down the middle (see the product cut-out). This is the sort of dress that could be nice for work or possibly layered under a chunky knit for smart-casual occasions. Size-wise, unless you have very slim hips, I would recommend going up a size. I'm wearing a 10 here, and I probably would've preferred it to be looser on the hips. 

SHOP THE LOOK

The Perfect T-Shirt and Jeans

Style Notes: If there's one thing that COS does well, it's basics. Case in point: the brand's T-shirt offering is unrivalled for quality and price. The fabric is heavyweight and holds its shape nicely, and it comes in an array of colours. I was instantly drawn to this striped iteration, which paired beautifully with COS's straight-leg dark denim. 

SHOP THE LOOK

The Tailored Trousers

Style Notes: I never thought I'd see the day that COS dropped neon-hued pieces, but here we are, and you know what? I kinda love it. As a tailoring lover, it's sometimes useful to have those personality pieces to offset any corporate undertones, and this T-shirt is ideal for this purpose. I've styled it with COS's perfect tailored trousers, which come with smart elasticated tabs in the waistband to allow for a more precise fit. The T-shirts do come up a little big, so I would say go for your usual size, or maybe one down, depending on desired fit. 

SHOP THE LOOK

The Crossbody Bag

Style Notes: I couldn't make a trip to COS without trying on the brand's sellout crossbody bag. I can confirm that it looks and feels just as premium in real life, plus it's super roomy. It's basically the ideal hands-free, year-round tote. 

SHOP THE LOOK

The Oversized Bomber

Style Notes: It's fair to say that I've never considered myself to be a bomber-jacket person—they always felt a little sporty for my style. But then I saw a number of other fashion editors wearing oversized iterations at London Fashion Week, and they looked so chic. To get that looser fit, I tried on a khaki number from the men's section (I'm wearing a M here) and balanced out the roomy proportions with leggings and my vintage cowboy boots. 

SHOP THE LOOK

The Colour-Pop Knit

Style Notes: Thanks to the likes of Prada and Gucci, A-line midi skirts are having a moment this year, and this COS number is a strong high-street contender. It's not currently available online, but I've included a similar style below. Just add a pop of colour via COS's bright pink knit (I'm wearing an XS) for a polished weekend look.

SHOP THE LOOK

SHOP SIMILAR

The Leather Trench

Style Notes: A trench coat is a real life-saver for the tricky in-between-season weather, but rendered in leather? That will make any outfit instantly look 10 times chicer. The fit is quite oversized, so I'm wearing an XS here, which gave a nice finish. It's sure to look dreamy with everything from denim to spring dresses. 

SHOP THE LOOK

Up Next: Spring/Summer 2022 Trends: The Only 17 Looks You Need to Know About