COS vs Banana Republic: which sweater wins?
Both land in the mid tier — the COS Merino Wool Crew Sweater at $89, the Banana Republic Merino Crew Sweater at $90, just $1 apart. Here's how they stack up, head to head.
| COS | Banana Republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $89 | $90 |
| Material | Merino wool, heavier gauge. | Extra-fine merino wool (cotton-cashmere blends available), fine-mid gauge. |
| Fit | Clean architectural cut, slightly boxy; size down for a trimmer fit. | Clean slightly-tailored fit, true to size. |
| Quality | Above high-street average — substantial merino, design-led finishing; consistency varies by batch. | Solid mid-tier — genuine merino, clean finishing; pills at friction points over time. |
| Best for | Minimal, design-led outfits and anyone wanting a heavier, architectural merino knit. | Office layering, smart-casual wear, and a clean tailored merino knit. |
| Care | Gentle wool cycle or hand-wash and lay flat to dry. | Gentle wool cycle or hand-wash and lay flat; shave any pilling. |
Which should you buy?
They sit in the same tier and are within $1 of each other, so it comes down to what you want out of a sweater. Lean COS for minimal, design-led outfits and anyone wanting a heavier, architectural merino knit; pick Banana Republic for office layering, smart-casual wear, and a clean tailored merino knit.
We may earn a commission if you buy through this link, at no extra cost to you.