Finding clothes that are casual, comfortable, and still a bit cool is hard. Some days I actually miss my office job (the grass is always greener, right?) because it gave me a chance to dress up. Not that I couldn't wear a belted pencil skirt and heels to Target or to dig around in a client's closet if I really wanted to, but, well, I don't want to quite that badly. But I still want to look cute, and not just in tee shirts!
During a conversation with one of my good friends who I've never met in person (what, you don't have those? thanks, internet), she recommended that I check out COS. I'd heard about this Swedish store (part of the same company as H&M) and remembered that they'd recently opened a store in NYC and started shipping to the US. Laura had visited the store and thought the clothes were decent quality, so I decided to check it out online. I really loved what I saw - clean lines, minimalist shapes, moderate prices. I ordered a truckload of things (when shopping online, always order a lot - multiple sizes, colors, etc, - you never know what's going to work) and ended up with two tops that go with my current uniform of top/skinny jeans/ankle boots.
This winter, I'd been looking for things that are nursing-friendly, somewhat warm, and aren't too form fitting (thanks to my non-existent baby weight loss fitness regime). Even though I didn't want attention on my midsection, I still wanted something that fit in the shoulders and chest. Most of the tops I'd been finding were loose all over, with dropped shoulder seams that just made me look wider. By coincidence, these both have interesting back details - at top, a split back, and above, pleating. Also coincidentally, it seems I chose the same (Madewell) necklace to wear with them on different days. What can I say, it's a fave. I'm really happy with both tops, have worn them multiple times in the last few weeks, and got lots of people asking me where they were from. Here's the grey top above (on sale for a great price!). Unfortunately the charcoal top at the start of the post seems to no longer be available. As for sizing, one top is a S and one is a 6, and I'd say that's pretty true to American sizes for me right now, I'm usually between a S and M. You have to make a decision quickly, as you can only return items within 14 days, and unfortunately, the return shipping isn't included.
What do you guys think? Will you check out COS?
Edit: When I looked closely at my account info, it seems that I paid $6 shipping for my COS order and wasn't charged for return shipping, so I might be reading their policy incorrectly. Also, the jeans in the first pic are
great for moms or anyone else who doesn't want to show their tushie to the world - they're Old Navy Rockstar High Rise Super Skinny Jeans. And with that link, I now have to tell you there are affiliate links in this post. If you're not a blogger and are wondering what that means, it means that I make 5 cents anytime anyone clicks on the link. I've made $18.86 to date. Raking it in, I tell ya.