COS comes to Canberra and we try on all the things

Posted on 15 August, 2019

Canberra women in-the-know have been stocking up on COS in Sydney, Melbourne and overseas for years now.

But from Friday, they can buy their tailor-made and timeless signature pieces after any visit to Canberra Centre.

Collection Of Style, as COS is more formally known, is renowned for its minimalist and design-focussed collections, incorporating womenswear, menswear, childrenswear and accessories.

The Swedish store—which is part of the H&M Group—first opened in 2007 before spreading through Europe, America and eventually Australia. Canberra’s vast COS store is the eighth in Australia and comes as part of the first floor Ainslie Mall redesign of Canberra Centre.

The store itself presents a meditative experience of Scandi minimalism—no racks crowded with clashing colours and prints, just rows of sculptured pieces in muted seasonal tones with plenty of room to browse and a spacious change area to enjoy the experience of trying things on amid artfully arranged native floral displays—an homage to the Australian bush.

Described by US Vogue as “affordable but not disposable” a “collection for grown-ups”, and “current without being trendy”, COS is likely to hit a very sweet spot for professional Canberra women and those who find clothing needs to be more artful than disposable. Indeed the label has blurred the boundaries between fashion, design and architecture in a number of artistic collaborations around the world and publishes its own in-house design magazine.

But back to the racks of clothing…

Because I love nothing more than throwing myself into research, and because I am literally beside myself with excitement that COS has finally hit our shores, given how many of my most fashionable friends are COS addicts, I finally took the opportunity to try on a few distinctive pieces.

It’s true that this doesn’t feel like a fast-fashion experience. The green jumper and culottes I pick up out of curiosity feel wonderful on and I suddenly find myself confident enough to cavort around in front of a camera sporting the widest of wide-legged pants.

In keeping with their commitment to making timeless wardrobe staples, I try on a LBD and a stunning olive trench. Everything screams quality about this outfit.

For something more fun, I try a denim dress. It sits well and feels oddly casual in a tailored way.

Similarly, I cannot deny my denim obsession and gravitate to some skinny grey jeans before trying a more boyfriend style. I am not used to the higher waist style but suddenly see how flattering it is!

COS has a tonne of beautiful tailored shirts and prides itself on producing some of the most perfect white shirts on offer—for both men and women.

It also does gorgeous bags—enormous soft leather and sporty totes as well as more structured handbags. Did I mention they produce a mean white leather sneaker and some classic black pumps?

While I am the first to admit my modelling days are long over, I am happy to be in a shoot, feeling each item fits well and is flattering—indeed I find myself saying “just one more outfit”.

Sadly, I could not take them all home, although there was no way I was leaving the store without that divine green trench.

Go see for yourself when COS opens to the public from 9am Friday.

Photo credit: Lydia Downe

the essentials:
COS Canberra store opening
When: 9am Friday the 16^th of August
Where: Ainslie Mall, Canberra Centre
Website: https://www.cosstores.com/au/