Cos vs. Aritzia: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

Cos is a Swedish brand celebrated for its minimalist, timeless investment pieces, emphasizing high-quality materials and craftsmanship. In contrast, Aritzia is a Canadian retailer focusing on youthful, trend-driven fashion, offering a more extensive variety of styles at a slightly more accessible price point.

Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right brand for your wardrobe and budget.

Cos: The Hub for Modern, Minimalist Design

Cos offers modern and functional designs for those who appreciate a clean aesthetic and long-lasting quality. Their collections are built around wardrobe foundations with contemporary twists, using innovative fabrics and sophisticated silhouettes. The brand appeals to professionals and style-conscious consumers who invest in pieces that will remain relevant for seasons to come.

• Product mix: A focused selection of women's and men's apparel, footwear, and accessories. Known for their expertly tailored trousers, premium knitwear, and architectural dresses.
• Price point: Prices typically range from $50 for basic t-shirts to over $300 for outerwear. Most items, like dresses and sweaters, land between $90 and $200.
• Quality: A strong emphasis on high-quality and sustainable materials, including organic cotton, RWS-certified wool, and recycled fabrics. Garments are well-constructed and designed for durability.
• Sizing/Fit: Garments often feature relaxed, contemporary, or oversized silhouettes. Sizing generally runs true to size, from XXS to XL, offering a comfortable and flattering fit for various body types.
• Style & Aesthetic: Minimalist, architectural, and modern. The color palette is often neutral and subdued, prioritizing clean lines and understated elegance over fleeting trends.
• Sustainability: Sustainability is a core part of their brand identity. Cos is transparent about its supply chain and committed to using recycled and responsibly sourced materials.

Cos is the ideal choice for building a versatile, high-quality capsule wardrobe with a modern and sophisticated edge.

Shop Cos: cosstores.com

Aritzia: The Destination for On-Trend Fashion

Aritzia is a fashion boutique that curates stylish, of-the-moment pieces from a portfolio of exclusive in-house brands. The retailer is a favorite among young women aged 18-35 who are looking for everything from office-appropriate outfits to casual weekend wear and statement pieces for events. Aritzia’s strength lies in its ability to translate runway trends into wearable and accessible fashion.

• Product mix: A vast selection of women's apparel including dresses, blouses, bodysuits, outerwear (like the famous Super Puff), and activewear. They offer polished workwear alongside casual and going-out clothes.
• Price point: Generally accessible, with items ranging from $40 for basics to $250+ for coats and formal wear. They offer frequent sales, which make their clothing even more budget-friendly.
• Quality: Quality can vary. While many pieces are well-made and use quality fabrics, some trend-focused items may prioritize style over longevity. Their higher-end lines tend to be more durable.
• Sizing/Fit: Sizing can be inconsistent across their different in-house brands and styles, with some items running small. Fits tend to be more form-fitting and tailored to a younger demographic.
• Style & Aesthetic: Chic, youthful, and trend-focused. While they offer basics, their main appeal is seasonal styles, playful colors, and pieces that reflect current fashion moments.
• Sustainability: Aritzia has sustainability initiatives related to responsible sourcing and eco-friendly packaging, but it operates closer to a fast-fashion model compared to Cos.

Aritzia offers a dynamic shopping experience for those who want stylish, versatile pieces that keep up with today's trends.

Shop Aritzia: aritzia.com

Cos vs. Aritzia Comparison

Price Comparison

Aritzia is generally more affordable than Cos. You can find tops and basic pieces at Aritzia starting around $40, while similar items at Cos might start closer to $50 or $60. The price gap becomes more apparent with dresses and outerwear. A good quality coat at Aritzia might cost around $250, whereas a timeless wool coat at Cos could be over $300.

In terms of value, the choice depends on your priority. Aritzia offers good value for trendy items you might not wear for more than a few seasons. Cos justifies its higher price with superior materials and timeless designs intended to last for years, offering better long-term value for wardrobe essentials.

Quality & Materials

Cos holds a clear edge in quality and materials. The brand is known for its meticulous construction and use of premium textiles like Italian wool, organic cotton, and recycled cashmere. The durability is evident in the feel and longevity of the garments, which tend to hold their shape and structure well over time.

Aritzia’s quality is less consistent. While flagship products like their wool coats and crepe trousers are well-made, some of the more trend-driven items can be made from synthetic blends that may not withstand heavy wear. They successfully balance style and quality for the price, but it isn’t the core focus in the same way it is for Cos.

Style & Aesthetic

The style difference is the most significant distinction between the two brands. Cos is synonymous with minimalism. Its aesthetic is clean, sophisticated, and architectural, leaning heavily on neutral colors, simple silhouettes, and subtle details. It's the perfect brand for someone building a curated capsule wardrobe that ignores passing fads.

Aritzia is all about a feminine, chic, and on-trend aesthetic. Their stores and website are filled with the season's must-have colors, prints, and silhouettes. From cottagecore dresses to sleek work separates, Aritzia offers variety and allows shoppers to experiment with their personal style daily.

Fit & Sizing

Cos typically designs with a relaxed, sometimes oversized, fit. Their sizing is generally consistent and true to size, catering to a preference for comfort and modern proportions. If you buy a Medium sweater from Cos, it will likely fit comfortably with room to spare.

Aritzia's sizing can be unpredictable, varying widely between its in-house brands like Wilfred, Babaton, and TNA. Many styles have a more tailored, body-conscious fit, and it’s common for shoppers to need to size up. Checking reviews and size charts is highly recommended when purchasing from Aritzia online.

Sustainability & Ethics

Cos makes sustainability and ethical manufacturing a central part of its brand message. The company is committed to using recycled, organic, and sustainably sourced materials and provides transparency about its production process. Their focus on creating timeless pieces inherently counters the throwaway culture of fast fashion.

Aritzia has made progress in its sustainability goals, including using more responsible materials and offering eco-friendly packaging. However, its business model still relies on frequent new arrivals and seasonal trend cycles, placing it in a different category from Cos’s slow-fashion approach.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice comes down to your personal style goals and priorities. Both brands offer excellent clothing, but they serve very different consumers.

Choose Cos if:

• You are building a minimalist, long-lasting capsule wardrobe.
• You prioritize high-quality, sustainable materials and ethical production.
• You prefer relaxed, architectural silhouettes and a neutral color palette.
• You view clothing as a long-term investment.

Choose Aritzia if:

• You love staying on top of the latest fashion trends.
• You want a wide variety of styles, colors, and options for different occasions.
• You are looking for workwear or event outfits that feel modern and chic.
• You enjoy the thrill of seasonal sales and getting new items often.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cos or Aritzia cheaper?

Aritzia is generally cheaper than Cos. While both are in the premium high-street category, Aritzia's entry-level prices are lower, and they run more frequent and substantial sales, making their trendy pieces more accessible.

Which brand has better quality?

Cos is known for higher and more consistent quality. They focus on premium, durable materials and meticulous construction, ensuring their garments last for many years. Aritzia's quality is generally good for its price but can be inconsistent across its numerous collections.

Is Cos a fast-fashion brand?

No, Cos is not considered a fast-fashion brand. Its business model focuses on creating timeless, durable pieces meant to be worn for many seasons, which is the opposite of the fast-fashion cycle of rapid, trend-based production.

How does the sizing compare between Cos and Aritzia?

Cos sizing is more consistent and tends to offer a relaxed or true-to-size fit. Aritzia sizing can run small and varies significantly between its different in-house lines, often requiring customers to size up or check specific product reviews.

Which brand is better for professional workwear?

This depends on the workplace environment. For corporate or traditional offices, Cos is an excellent choice for its sophisticated, minimalist trousers, blouses, and dresses. For more creative or modern workplaces, Aritzia offers stylish blazers, wide-leg pants, and chic blouses that are fashion-forward yet professional.

Which brand is more sustainable?

Cos has a more robust and integrated approach to sustainability. Their commitment to using recycled and organic materials, paired with a timeless design philosophy, makes them the more sustainable choice.

Do both brands have men's clothing?

Cos offers extensive collections for both men and women. Aritzia is exclusively a womenswear retailer.

Where are Cos and Aritzia from?

Cos is a Swedish brand, founded in London and part of the H&M Group. Aritzia is a Canadian brand, founded in Vancouver, British Columbia.