I’m Giving My Winter Wardrobe a Minimalist Update—15 Zara, H&M and COS Buys That Made the Cut

If there’s one thing I’m guilty of, it’s gravitating towards the simplest pieces in any new-in section. Elegant wool coats, white shirts, perfectly cut trousers and refined knitwear—and, when I’m looking for polished, minimalist pieces without the designer price tag, there are three places I return to time and again: Zara, H&M and COS.

Each has its own strength. COS is my go-to for beautifully cut tailoring, premium fabrics and the kind of understated basics that could easily pass for designer. Zara consistently delivers on elevated outerwear and directional silhouettes, whilst H&M is particularly good at those deceptively simple wardrobe staples—great knitwear, trousers and layering pieces—that make getting dressed considerably easier.

Right now, all three are especially strong. Think sweeping wool coats, rich chocolate-brown layers, dark indigo denim and beautifully simple knitwear, alongside the elevated basics that form the backbone of a minimalist wardrobe. After scrolling through hundreds of new arrivals, I’ve narrowed it down to the pieces I think are genuinely worth your attention.

Keep scrolling for the Zara, H&M and COS minimalist buys I’d happily wear on repeat all winter and well beyond.

COS

Rounded Pure Cashmere Crew-Neck Jumper

There’s something very The Row-coded about the rounded proportions of this pure-cashmere knit.

ZARA

Zw Collection Wool Blend Coat With Belt

Zara’s ZW Collection continues to deliver some of the strongest outerwear on the high street.

H&M

Shoulder Bag

A very designer-coded handbag from H&M.

ZARA

Knit Jumper With Belt

The waist-cinching belt transforms this from a simple knit into something altogether more polished.

COS

Chord Straight-Leg Jeans

The Reprise is one of my favourite COS denim silhouettes.

H&M

Cashmere-Blend Jumper

Part of its premium range, this is exactly the kind of hardworking piece I’d reach for repeatedly throughout winter.

ZARA

Crossbody Bag With Flap

The pared-back silhouette and minimal detailing give this crossbody the understated, designer-looking quality.

ZARA

Blazer With Shoulder Pads

Strong shoulders are firmly back on my radar, and this blazer is an easy way to tap into the look.

COS

Relaxed Twill Wide-Leg Trousers

COS tailoring is some of the best on the high street, and these wide-leg trousers are a perfect example.

ZARA

Knit V-Neck Jumper

A generous V-neck always makes knitwear feel that little bit more elegant.

H&M

Shoulder Bag

From the shape to the stitching, this bag looks 3x the price.

ZARA

Reversible Double-Sided Coat

Two excellent coats for the price of one.

H&M

Oversized Cotton Shirt

The oversized proportions make this look distinctively more elevated.

ZARA

Pleated Wide-Leg Trousers

Fluid, wide-leg tailoring is one of my shortcuts to making an outfit look more expensive.

COS

Shawl-Collar Double-Faced Wool Long Coat

A great wool coat you'll reach for all winter long.

ZARA

High Neck Cardigan

The high neckline and clean silhouette make this cardigan feel particularly elegant.

H&M

Baggy Barrel Regular Waist Jeans

The perfect shape and hue.

ZARA

Leather Kitten Ankle Boots

The kitten heel gives these leather ankle boots a decidedly elegant feel.

H&M

Oversized Wool Coat

A wool coat is exactly the kind of staple that makes looking elegant effortless, even as the temperatures start to drop.

COS

Scarf Jacket

There's something so innately expensive-looking about a scarf jacket.

ZARA

Z1975 High-Waist Jeans With Side Pleats

The pleated detailing gives these jeans a more directional feel than your standard straight-leg pair.

COS

JournÉe Tote Bag - Leather

COS has an excellent track record with cult handbags, and the Journe has all the makings of another hit.

COS

Merino Wool High-Neck Top

The perfect layering piece.

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Zara Cos H&M

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