Low-key luxury has basically been a thing forever, yet recently the aesthetic has been the subject of numerous Tik Toks delving into the world of outwardly simple and deceptively expensive clothes. Naturally, The Row has come up several times in the discourse. The brand’s collections are about as stripped and pared down as it gets, but what it lacks in ornate details, it makes up for in quality. That means that even a plain white button-down shirt will be a splurge. But the hefty prices haven’t stopped The Row from amassing a legion of fans. You could certainly count me as one of them. 

As much as I love an over-the-top trend, there’s still something to be said about a quiet, cool elegance that’s so simple and immaculately put together. I’ve said before that if I had a million dollars, I’d stock my closet full of The Row staples, but since student loans are very much a present force in my life, I’ve taken to other alternatives. One of them is the Scandi brand COS. Although a fashion editor favorite, it’s a little bit more under the radar than its mass-market contemporaries. Much like The Row, Cos’s bread and butter are minimalist separates that steer oversized and modern. However, the price points are dramatically different—a pair of Cos pants would set you back a little more than $100, while its cotton tanks and tees are often around $30. The moderate affordability and expensive-looking quality are primarily why most of my bookmarks as of late have been the retailer.  And until I hit the lottery it fulfills my quiet luxury fantasies. Ahead, see the Cos pieces I’m convinced could pass certainly pass for