I don't want to toot my own horn, but after years as a fashion editor, I've built what I'd call a very tight capsule wardrobe. The kind of wardrobe that can take me from a 9 a.m. meeting straight to dinner without a panicked outfit change in between. People often assume that means it's full of head-to-toe designer, but honestly, that's not how I shop.
For me, a forever wardrobe is about mixing smart high-street finds with investment buys that will go the distance. The key is knowing where to find those pieces that don't just look expensive, but feel it. That's why COS remains a go-to. If you've ever slipped into one of the brand's coats or picked up a knitwear piece, you'll know exactly what I mean; the quality and attention to detail often rival that of luxury pieces, which is what makes it a fashion-editor favourite.
Ask around the Who What Wear UK office, and you'll find plenty of COS fanatics, each with their own personal hero items. The white Clean Cut Regular T-Shirt has become a sort of unofficial staple for us—so much so that a few of us will often turn up wearing it on the same day. Whilst the basics have long been favourites, the new autumn collection has really stepped things up. Think rich textures, architectural silhouettes and colour palettes that will instantly make you feel pulled together, but it's the details that make them feel special; be it a button, an oversized collar or an unusual hue. It's the little details that make a big impact.
And autumn, of course, is the perfect time to do just that. It's hands-down my favourite season for getting dressed; the layering, the outerwear, the cosy fabrics… COS is leaning into all of it. Find coats that beg to be thrown over chunky knits, trousers sleek enough to feature in all of your weekday outfits, on-trend yet timeless bags that are already making waves and knitwear that blurs the line between comfort and polish. I've broken it all down into four key categories, all of which I think capture what COS does best.
Style Notes: For me, the autumn/winter season always starts with a great coat. It's the single item most people will see you in during the colder months, so it needs to deliver. COS has always excelled at outerwear, and this year is no exception. The reason? They focus on structure and fabric first, which is exactly what makes a coat look more expensive than it actually is.
I'm backing double-faced wool blends that feel ultra-soft but substantial, and clean cuts that give even the most casual outfits an intentional finish. I've been eyeing a chocolate-brown wool coat that's the definition of timeless; it has that cocooning shape that feels modern, yet it's versatile enough to work season after season. There's also a brown field jacket that has that throw-on-and-go quality I rely on for early mornings. What I love about COS coats is that they don't shout for attention, but they always get it anyway. People notice the cut, the drape, the material, and those are the defining qualities of a great coat.
Style Notes: Tailoring has long had a place in our wardrobes, but COS's offering stands out for its wearability in real life. The cuts are often quite loose yet sharp without being stuffy, whilst the fabrics have just the right amount of weight so that the trousers drape perfectly and the blazers feel structured but never rigid. It's that balance between ease and precision that COS consistently nails.
Wide-leg trousers are my personal weakness, and this brand does them particularly well. They're long enough to skim trainers in that super-chic way but still refined enough to wear with heeled boots. Then there are the blazers, which feel grown-up but not corporate, and that's a fine line to tread. Too sharp and you risk looking like you've borrowed a suit from a boardroom lost property; too relaxed and it can verge on sloppy.
COS gets it just right with cuts that give you shape through the shoulders but leave enough ease through the body so they feel effortless. It's the difference between looking like you're on your way to a meeting and looking like you've put thought into your outfit, even if it's just jeans and a tee underneath. I've seen editors wear them over slip dresses, and friends outside of the fashion industry team them with jeans, which proves just how versatile they are. When you want tailoring that looks cool rather than "office uniform", COS is where to find it.
Style Notes: If there's one accessory I take seriously, it's bags. I've collected them for years, and whilst I love a mini style or a unique shape, I always come back to the ones that work the hardest: those that are roomy enough for my laptop, structured enough to look intentional and detailed enough to feel special. That's exactly where COS excels. The bags always have that clean, sculptural quality that makes them feel far more expensive than their price tag.
For me, the standout this season is the croc-embossed leather Folio Oversized Bag. It's generous in size but cleverly proportioned, so it won't overwhelm your frame. The finish is beautiful too, with the kind of leather that will wear in, not out. What I like about COS bags is that they sit comfortably next to luxury brands without pretending (or needing) to be them. They're understated, modern and functional in a way that makes you wonder why you'd pay more elsewhere. Trust me: these bags will go viral and sell out before the end of the month.
Style Notes: Knitwear is where autumn wardrobes are really made, and COS has always been a front-runner in this category. The brand understands texture; something as simple as ribbing, weight or how a sleeve falls can make the difference between a knit that feels ordinary and one that looks like it belongs on a runway.
COS knits tend to have that slightly oversized, almost avant-garde quality that makes them look styled even when you've just thrown them on. This season, I've spotted a brushed cashmere cardigan that looks incredible layered over the matching waistcoat, plus roll necks in deep chocolate and black that feel instantly luxurious. There's also a chunky crew-neck jumper that's so well made it could easily be mistaken for designer (I know, because it happened to me recently). I never feel guilty buying more COS knitwear, because I know it'll live in my wardrobe for years.
Autumn always feels like the fresh start of the fashion calendar, and this year, COS has nailed exactly what I want to be wearing. These are pieces that don't just look good now, but will work year after year. A coat you'll actually rely on, tailoring that doesn't feel intimidating, a bag with staying power and chic knitwear that'll make sure you look put-together whilst keeping you warm during the cold months. If that's not the definition of a strong seasonal wardrobe update, I don’t know what is.
