Quick Facts
- Minimalist fashion enthusiasts
- Ethical/sustainable shoppers
- COS customers seeking alternatives
- Arket offers a 10% discount voucher when you recycle textiles from any brand
- Weekday provides a more casual streetwear take on minimalist aesthetics
- Everlane focuses on radical transparency with full cost breakdowns
- & Other Stories offers 50-70% markdowns during seasonal clearance events
For COS fans seeking variety, Arket delivers similar quality with better sustainability programs, Weekday works for casual occasions, and & Other Stories adds feminine touches to the minimalist formula.
Architectural silhouettes. Muted palettes. Unfussy design. If you shop at COS, you aren’t just buying clothes; you are building a uniform. While the H&M owned giant dominated the high street minimalist market since 2007, relying on a single store limits your sartorial vocabulary.
Whether you are looking for higher quality, better ethics, or just a slight shift in silhouette, the market has evolved. We have analyzed the current retail climate to bring you the definitive list of alternatives that actually match the COS aesthetic.
The Curator’s List: 8 Brands Like COS
Forget generic lists. We have categorized these brands by what they do best, so you know exactly which one fits your specific gap in the wardrobe.
1. Arket: The Responsible Sibling
If COS is the architectural artist of the H&M Group, Arket is the practical archivist. Launched as a modern day market, Arket focuses heavily on durability and function. While they share a parent company with COS, the vibe here is distinctly more “Scandi heritage” than “avant-garde art teacher.”
The Price Point: As of late 2025, Arket’s pricing remains accessible but reflects its quality. You can pick up high-quality dresses between £7 (on deep sale) and £182 ($42–$182 USD). Their heavyweight jersey T shirtsa staple for any minimaliststart around £15 ($20–$30), with premium versions hitting the $51 mark.
The Hidden Gem: Arket’s commitment to circularity isn’t just marketing. Their “Recycle with ARKET” program is active right now. Bring in unwanted textiles (from any brand, even old socks) to their stores, and you receive a 10% discount voucher valid for three months. It is a smart way to refresh your basics while closing the loop.
2. Weekday: The Streetwear Cousin
Weekday offers a youthful injection into the minimalist formula. Also sitting under the H&M Group umbrellawhich now officially consolidates Weekday with Monki and Cheap Mondaythis brand takes the clean lines of COS and disrupts them with grunge and street influences.
Expect boxy hoodies, cycling shorts, and wide leg denim rather than structured wool coats. If you want the COS look but find it a bit too formal for a Saturday morning coffee run, Weekday is your answer. Their organic cotton denim remains a standout in the high street market for both fit and sustainability credentials.
3. Everlane: The Ethical Standard
For the shopper who demands to know the cost breakdown of their cashmere, Everlane is the benchmark. While COS focuses on design, Everlane focuses on “Radical Transparency.” The aesthetic is cleaner and perhaps safer than COS, focusing on reliable staples rather than statement silhouettes.
The Reality Check: As we close out 2025, Everlane’s pricing reflects the rising cost of ethical production. Their famous Pima cotton tees start at $30, while specialty tops like the Muscle Tee sit at $48. Dresses generally range from $68 for a Weekend Tee Dress up to $150+ for more substantial pieces.
If you are exploring global fashion markets, you might notice how supply chains differ. For a broader perspective on international sourcing, you can check our guide on cheap online clothing stores in Nigeria, which highlights how different regions manage textile costs.
4. & Other Stories: The Romantic Alternative
Sometimes the boxy, androgynous cut of COS can feel a little cold. Enter & Other Stories. They maintain the quality and the price point but introduce a Parisian femininity to the mix. Think ruffles, floral motifs, and cinched waists where COS would offer straight lines.
Shopping Guide: In 2025, dress prices typically hover between £85 and £150 ($110–$200). However, the brand is aggressive with seasonal markdowns, often slashing prices by 50-70% during clearance events.
They also excel in the beauty department. If you are curating a European inspired beauty routine to match your wardrobe, it is worth looking into our guide on the France online pharmacy landscape to understand where the best skincare ingredients come from.
5. Oak + Fort: The Canadian Contender
If you love the oversized, draped aesthetic of COS but want a slightly lower price point, Oak + Fort is the strongest contender. This Canadian lifestyle brand operates on the philosophy of “accessible luxury.” They master the art of neutral tones and volume.
2025 Pricing Update: For our Canadian readers, basic tees are currently priced around $34 CAD (often dipping to ~$23 on sale). Their dress collection is approachable, with sale items starting as low as $24.99 CAD and regular premium pieces pushing past $88 CAD.
6. Uniqlo: The Utilitarian King
You cannot discuss minimalism without bowing to the Japanese giant, Uniqlo. While COS is fashion, Uniqlo is engineering. Their LifeWear philosophy focuses on fabric technology (like HEATTECH and AIRism) over trends.
The Collaboration Watch: Uniqlo’s designer partnerships are the best way to get high fashion cuts at high street prices. Note that the beloved Inès de la Fressange collaboration officially concluded with the Spring/Summer 2024 collection. However, 2025 has brought fresh energy with a new Alexander Wang HEATTECH collection released in November, alongside ongoing work with Clare Waight Keller (Uniqlo C).
7. Theory: The Executive Upgrade
When you are ready to graduate from COS and have the budget to match, you go to Theory. Now a subsidiary of Fast Retailing (the same parent company as Uniqlo), Theory applies that Japanese precision to American sportswear.
This is “Affordable Sophistication” for the corporate world. The fabricsscuba, premium stretch cottons, and woolsare designed to move. If COS is for the art gallery, Theory is for the boardroom. Their Fall 2025 collection doubled down on this with tailored silhouettes that prioritize comfort without sacrificing structure.
8. The Frankie Shop: The Cult Favorite
If you scroll through Instagram and see an oversized blazer that looks effortlessly cool, it is likely The Frankie Shop. They have successfully commoditized the “It Girl” aesthetic. This is where you go for pieces that are minimal but loudlike their signature padded shoulder t shirts or balloon leg trousers.
Where to Find Them: As of December 2025, they have cemented their physical footprint. You can visit their flagships in New York (Soho and LES) or Paris. In London, they have established a permanent, upgraded boutique space within Selfridges on Oxford Street.
For those looking to discover even more unique designers outside the mainstream western bubble, check out our report on the best Ukrainian fashion brands to shop online. Much like The Frankie Shop, these designers often prioritize unique tailoring and structural integrity over fast fashion trends.
