Transitional staples for warm days and cooler nights
Best COS pieces to shop for autumn 2026? Is there such a thing really? I have always had a soft spot for COS. It is easily one of my favourite high-street brands because it gets that understated, slightly raw aesthetic so right: beautiful materials, clean silhouettes and a kind of simplicity that always feels incredibly chic to me. These are not pieces you buy for one season and forget about. Some of my COS cotton T-shirts have been in my wardrobe for years, and I feel the same way about their denim, cashmere knitwear and, especially, trench coats.
What I also love is that every collection has a few pieces that break away from that minimalism just enough. This season, I immediately noticed the red leather pieces – the skirt, the top – that could easily have walked straight off a runway. They add character without changing what COS does best: making clothes that are simple enough to wear over and over again, but never boring.
And maybe it is because autumn is getting closer, but I have officially started scrolling again. Knitwear, leather jackets, trench coats, a great new pair of jeans, loafers… I am already thinking about all the outfits I want to wear once the temperature drops a little. There is something about transitional dressing that makes fashion fun again after weeks of 35-degree weather, when adding even one extra layer feels completely unreasonable.
6 Best Wardrobe Staples I Always Come Back To
Before getting into my current COS favourites, I wanted to start with the six staples I think make the biggest difference in an autumn wardrobe. The point is not to suddenly buy twenty new things for a new season, but to find a few really good pieces that work together and can create far more outfits than you would expect.
Jeans
A really good pair of jeans is the foundation of countless outfits and something I wear year after year. Find a cut that fits beautifully and suddenly half of your wardrobe works with it.
Cardigan
The ultimate just-in-case layer: wear it over a T-shirt or tank, or simply tie it around your shoulders. It is one of those easy pieces that makes an everyday outfit feel more considered.
Knitted T-Shirt
When I have no idea what to wear, a simple knitted T-shirt almost always solves the problem. It works with jeans, tailored trousers or skirts and feels just a little more polished than a classic tee.
Trench Coat
Few pieces can give a simple outfit as much character as a beautifully cut trench coat. Jeans, a white T-shirt, a trench cinched at the waist – sometimes that really is all you need to look effortlessly chic.
Loafers
A great pair of leather or suede loafers will work with almost everything you already own. Jeans, skirts, wool trousers or autumn dresses – they instantly make an outfit feel more pulled together.
Trousers
For the days when I want something more refined than denim, relaxed wool trousers are my first choice. Add a simple top and cardigan and you have an outfit that is comfortable and incredibly easy.
These are just a few of my favourite pieces from the current COS collection, from transitional wardrobe staples to knitwear, denim and autumn layers I know I would wear on repeat. I’m leaving all of my current COS favourites below if you are looking for a little autumn outfit inspiration or simply want to add a few timeless pieces to your wardrobe. Happy shopping!
