Are You a COS Obsessive? Then You Need to See These 8 Other Minimalist Brands

Do you like your dresses big, your accessories minimal and your colour palette timeless but current? Then you're probably a COS girl, like quite a few of our fashion friends in the industry. It's one of the most expensive-looking high street brands where you're always bound to find 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 all the way back 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 contemporary tailoring, classic-silhouettes-with-a-twist and neutral tones coming through right now, it's no surprise that 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.

1. ARKET

Style Notes: 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, alongside a small but mighty shoe edit.

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2. THE FRANKIE SHOP

Style Notes: With stores in New York and Paris and pop-ups worldwide, The Frankie Shop has become the go-to basics brand for the fashion-savvy shopper. But these are no ordinary staples—in fact, we've lost count of the number of items from this brand that have gone viral on social. This season, the modern tailoring and oversized knitwear are not to be missed.

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3. WEEKDAY

Style Notes: Weekday is another brand under 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 classic white T-shirts, slinky slip dresses and understated coats, you'll find staples like hoodies, motif tees and super baggy, low-rise trousers, 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.

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4. REFORMATION

Style Notes: These days, it seems that if I spot a dress or coat on Instagram and TikTok that I really want to buy, it's Reformation. But it's not just these items that Reformation always gets right. The brand's jeans, knitwear and even shoes are becoming just as iconic. From influencers to A-listers, Reformation's pieces have been seen on everyone, and its very best pieces come in extended sizes.

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5. ALIGNE

Style Notes: London-based brand Aligne creates statement yet classic clothing that never goes out of style. Sitting at a slightly higher price point than other high-street stores, the brand takes a conscious approach to its designs, making sure it delivers fashionable and quality pieces that stay in your wardrobes for years to come. Although it was only founded in 2020, Aligne has made its mark on influencers and editors alike for its simple but chic tailoring and easy-to-wear capsule denim.

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6. NEOUS

Style Notes: COS's leather goods and shoes are really quite spectacular—just look at the last few years of viral accessories the brand has had. We like them because they're ultra simple but always a bit unique (like sandals with a sculptural mini heel or a shoulder 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.

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7. By Malene Birger

Style Notes: The Copenhagen-based brand has become the go-to label for tastemakers who love the understated Scandinavian aesthetic. A curated line of timeless, versatile staples, these sleek pieces fit seamlessly into a minimalist's wardrobe.

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8. TOTEME

Style Notes: Toteme focuses on refined minimalism that ensures all its pieces transcend trends (however, they still earn viral popularity every year). 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.

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This story was published at an earlier time and has since been updated.