A high street collection based on Ikea’s flat pack furniture? Yes!

Style

Nov 15, 2016

Fans of COS know that the contemporary brand often takes its inspiration from very unique places.

The Swedish high-street brand created a cult aesthetic, keeping its clean lines and minimalist silhouette season to season, creating a distinguishable uniform of artistic simplicity.

We had a peek at COS's Spring/Summer collection this week, and while the traditional COS favourites like the crisp white shirt and structured culottes were present, so too were unique new shapes and textures.

The brand has two distinguishable themes in its up coming collection.

The first is abstract sport, which plays on fashion's long-running love affair with sports-luxe.

Clean, simple separates in navy, cream and dove blue are the antidote to an autumn of rich ochre, satin pinks and Kardashian-induced nude shades.

Keeping with COS's penchant for easy breezy separates, the high street store took inspiration from fellow Swedish import IKEA, and introduced origami-esque flat pack folds in their new skirts and trousers.

The carefully structured folds mimic the DIY instructions of an IKEA furniture piece, creating a modern embellishment and maintaining functionality without sacrificing detail.

A favourite of all women, from art students to CEOs – COS is continuing to cement itself as the simplistic answer to fast fashion's obsession with novelty and disposable trends.

All of the new collection pieces will be as sartorially sound in five years as they are now, and all of their pieces can be twisted to work in an office environment.

If you're a friend of the environment, the fact that COS's new collection is made up of recycled cotton and recycled plastic overlays will make your day.

The re-purposing of these materials was an important element for the collection's second theme, romantic utility.

The romantic utility theme is comprised of sheer fabrics in a neutral rainbow of earthy browns, sands and creams, with floaty fabrics.

Statement pieces in the line include a recycled parachute maxi dress and matching parka, intended to create volume and movement.

Both pieces are semi-sheer, designed to be layered for cooler months or worn alone on warmer days. While a parachute might not be ideal work wear, the breathable khaki parka is a commuter's dream.

As for accessories, COS is serving up its usual smattering of artistic pieces, including a sculptured gold earring set with a corresponding necklace.

And the shoe shapes for Spring/Summer? A backless leather loafer in cream or black and strappy summer sandals, perfect to add edge to a summer dress or even pair with socks if you're feeling brave.

Socks and sandals is the greatest fashion faux pas to ever make a comeback, and COS' khaki green stompers are crying out for a woollen companion.