14 Chic Late Summer Items We Tried and Loved at COS

Welcome to Let’s Get a Room, a series where editor Eliza Huber hits the fitting room to try on pieces, trending items, and new collections from your favorite retailers. Think of this column as a detailed guide to items actually worth buying and, unfortunately, items you should have seen online (no returns necessary).

It’s no secret by now that COS is the perfect budget brand to rival brands like The Row, but I’ve been saying this for years and want to be clear that I’ve been relying on the Swedish fashion brand for pricey-sounding yet chic and reliable wardrobe items for just as long. Whether I need something to wear to an event or want to replenish my stock of white tees, COS is my go-to.

It was for exactly the latter reason that I popped into the brand’s store in London’s Kings Cross a few weeks ago. I was traveling in the city for a few days and needed a crisp, makeup-free white T-shirt to wear to dinner, and found plenty of enviable bargains in the store, from elegant slip dresses to cool red separates. With only an already-packed carry-on bag to carry, I wasn’t able to make as many choices as I would have liked, so I decided to head to SoHo after returning to New York and right my wrongs. Below, you can check out the damage I did in COS’s four-story townhouse, try on at least 25 new summer looks, and see how I settled on my top 14. Trust me, these aren’t the kind of bargains you’ll want to scroll past.

I spotted this layered pencil skirt in London and looked it up online, knowing I’d have to try it on when I got back to NYC. I’m so glad I did – the fabric feels perfect and the layering effect makes it look cool and different, which only makes it more appealing. They have a matching layered tank top online, but they didn’t have it in my size at the Soho store, so I got creative and paired it with one of my favorite pieces I’ve been trying on all morning: this red spaghetti strap ribbed knit top. The fit was perfect and I loved it so much that I bought two colors and will be taking both with me on my trip to Paris this week.

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This was the last look I tried on before heading to the register, as I hadn’t even looked at the skirt before going to the fitting room. I always take one last look before leaving the store, and this fitted silhouette caught my eye in a corner on the top floor. It was a real twist of fate, as I was already wearing this equally perfect bubble blouse but had no idea what to pair it with until I came across the skirt. As it turned out, this was my favorite combination of all the ones I tried on. Classic, elegant, and timeless, I can imagine wearing this look to fashion week events, cocktail parties, and more in 2024, 2025, and beyond.

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I’ve had my eye on these pants for a while now, ever since I found them online, but they sold out so quickly that I never thought I’d get to see them in person. Luckily, the Soho store had a ton of sizes available, so naturally I grabbed a pair in my size and dashed off to the fitting room. First off, they have a super loose, relaxed fit, so if you like that silhouette, you’ll love them instantly. The drawstring waist is great for adjusting not only the size, but where the pants sit on your waist and hips. These bottoms are a great find on their own, but pair them with the matching garment-dyed denim shirt and you can’t go wrong.

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This is not a $150 dress. It could be a $1,500 dress. No matter when you plan on attending a wedding next year, whether it’s summer or the middle of winter, you should wear this dress. The fit is great, the fabric is luxurious and high quality, and there’s a little tie in the back that lets you adjust the fit to your body, giving you a snug fit.

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While I love wearing dresses and skirts, what I find comfortable is always a loose pair of jeans and an oversized poplin shirt. But honestly, I don’t like standard poplin button-downs because I can never find one in the right material with the right fit. Instead, I always opt for a pullover loose option. It makes for a super effortless, comfortable outfit that’s perfect for summer and looks chic anytime. So I just had to bring home this resort-style pullover shirt. The jeans, called Tide Jeans, are just as premium, with the perfect blue wash and a super loose fit.

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I love flowy white linen pants. They’re great for hot summer days when you want to look good in the heat. I paired these great pants with a new red sleeveless top from COS, which features a subtle cowl neck, draped fit and side cut-outs. The fabric is stretchy yet structured and feels very luxurious. I highly recommend it.

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When I stopped in the other day, this sheer champagne colored polo caught my eye from across the store. The fabric is very cool and perfect for hot days, so if you don’t mind the sheerness, this is a must-have item. (I should, because I ended up buying this polo.) I kept the styling simple here, pairing the knit top with the same tied jeans as before, showing off a tucked-in look rather than a loose fit.

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Me? Trying on a white skirt? Surprise! In fact, as I write this, I’m wearing another white poplin skirt. If that’s an indication of my obsession with the summer staple, so be it. This option from COS is awesome because it’s a little shorter than others I’ve seen recently and has a drawstring waist that makes it adjustable and comfortable. Plus, it even has pockets! I paired it with the same red tank top and layered it above the waistline of the skirt, but I think it would also look cute tucked in.

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