Cotton Basics

I hesitated before writing the following critic because 1) reviews are too often so partial they are difficult to judge, and 2) because Cotton Basics clothe are made here, in the Bay Area and I love to support local businesses.
The problem is that I was treated in such cavalier manner by the store owner that I had to say something. I bought a 40 $ (not exactly cheap for a short sleeveless tee, but I loved it since it matched perfectly the pants I was to wear it with.) A week later it needed a wash it since I had stained it during a meal. Knowing the tee was artisanal died I was careful. Did all the right things. Stains still there and tee slightly faded. Took it to the cleaners to be kindly told that they couldn’t help since the die was so natural (and I thought natural was good !) that any stain would go right through the color and stain the cotton behind. I called the store and waited a few days for the owner to call me back. After informing me that the problem was my problem, she did call back to say she would send the tee back to the factory to see if they could die it once more. I dropped the tee at the store. No one contacted me back for over a month! I had to call back several times to be told that the owner was out of town and then to finally be informed that the tee was actually in the shop — I doubt it ever left! — and nothing could be done about the stain. As for the owner, she was out of town. Again.
Now, I wasn’t expecting my money back or the tee to be replaced although that would have been fair, but perhaps a store credit?
Please be aware that the tees you will buy at Cotton Basics will fade a greater deal more than advertised and that stains might not be removable.
It would be nice for the store to inform of that possibility by specifying it on their labels.
As for me, I am back to Nordstrom and other non local stores who do care for their clientele. No wonder one of the cotton basics store has closed down in Oakland.

I wish it wasn’t so expensive. I am a big basics fan and there is a wide selection of quarter sleeve, long sleeve, flowy, tank, crop and tee shirts. Not to mention the fabulous selection of colors that aren’t super loud but aren’t drably dull. They also carry both body-​con and flowy skirts as well as leggings and wide leg yoga-​type pants in various colors as well.
Like I said, I’m a big basics fan and this would be my GO-​TO if only it wasn’t so pricey ($ 24 for a basic long sleeve if I recall). Pricey for a college student at least…

Great store! Almost everything is made in Oakland. I love buying stuff made in the USA. Lots of color and size choices. Excellent quality.. Friendly staff. I am going to be buying many special things for myself and others here.

A gem. Great customer service. Good quality cotton, stylish design and COMFY. Will be back for more.

i moved to California a year and a half ago, and soon found cotton basics. i started at the one in rock ridge, but it closed, so i started patronizing this one on college ave. i’ve probably spent at least $ 1000 in that store over the past months, probably more, as i’ve bought gifts for my daughter as well as numerous tops and leggings for me.
although i’ve always found the stuff way overpriced, i like the cotton and some of the styles, especially sleeveless and ¾ tops. the pants seems to be way too flowing and the store as a whole has a penchant for old lady fat clothes. but still it was my go-​to place for easy, well, cotton basic tops and leggings.
but curiously, i’ve always found the ladies who work in the shop somewhat unpleasant. the times i’ve been in there, they’ve either looked annoyed to help you, or patronizing, or filled with what i’ve grown to call ‘the berkeley righteous indignation’, that floating sense that somebody, somewhere is breaking the rules! RIGHT NOW! someone is crossing the street NOT IN A CROSSWALK, FOR GOD’S SAKE! they stare at you suspiciously as though you have pc sin in your heart, or they are overly politically correctly nice, knowing all the while that you wear makeup and therefore surely waste water, and PROBABLY HAVE A HUGE CARBON FOOTPRINT!
but today was the clincher, and i swear on my mother’s grave that i will never enter one of their stores again. it’s just not worth the trouble. in fact, i should sue them for my pain and suffering at the hands of their washed up, lifeless, misguided staff.
i took back a shirt i bought just the other day for an extended trip i’m taking. i explained to the woman that it wasn’t the right color for me. it had all the tags and had only been tried on once. she immediately grabbed the receipt out of the bag and started to sing out: ‘oh but this was bought…’ but trailed off when she saw that it was, in fact, bought on the day i said it was. then she eyed me suspiciously and said through very pursed lips,’ you may have an exchange or store credit. we don’t give refunds.‘
now that was strange to me and obviously i hadn’t brought anything back before. but i accepted the policy. some stores do that thinking it will cut their losses, only it doesn’t. so i said, ‘i’ll take a store credit. is there a time limit on it?’ knowing i was going to be traveling the rest of the summer.
well, this unfortunate question triggered some repressed anger in her at all of the people who are ruining our planet, including me, apparently by buying things and then bringing them back. and this time, she was sure of herself! ‘YES!’ she sang out with full, gusty lungs. ‘you have 90 days!’ and her eyes went to slits as she studied my reaction, poised to defend the cotton basics real estate to the death.
i (i think) patiently explained my crazy schedule over the next 90 days and that it was possible, though not probable (i assured her), that i wouldn’t make the deadline. she clucked a bit to humor me, ‘well, well’ and got obvious enjoyment out of that prospect. then she spent an entire 8 minutes writing up my ‘store credit.‘
but it was when i got home and was going through my receipts that i felt… disregarded, trashed, and yes, VIOLATED. she had handed me a handwritten store credit, old school, like they used to write up for purchases. she had made sure to cross through ANY place on said store credit that i might use to counterfeit either the amount or the clearly stated ‘MUST BE USED WITHIN 90 DAYS!!!’ in fact, the 90 day rule was written several times on the ‘credit’ just to make sure i got the message and could in no way even think of breaking the rules. and along with all the other scribbling she did on it, i don’t know how it’s really usable at all, or how anyone can understand what it’s supposed to be.
this store is not worth it. the clothes — except the tops — are pretty shapeless as are the people who run and manage it. and even the tops start looking ragged quicker than the price would have you believe.
but too bad anyone tries to deal with the public like that. i’ll lose the money for that shirt before i’ll buy from them again. what a shame — for that poor woman. yucky reminder that misguided zeal is never pretty. or successful. just leaves an ugly taste in your mouth that you loathe to experience again.

You know how you love American Apparel — the aesthetic, the idea of locally made, the range of colors — right up until the moment, usually all of 3 months after purchase, when your new piece of clothing unravels at the seams?
Cotton Basics is like a way better version of American Apparel. I discovered their well-​cut, basic Vs and tunics during a stroll through Noe Valley two years ago. The knit shirts I bought then are still going strong; given how quickly cotton t-​shirts usually lose their shape, color and texture, this seems like a miracle.
So I was thrilled to restock at the Elmwood store. Their styles are very nicely cut to flatter the figure, and the salesperson was helpful without begin intrusive, noting my initial choices and advising on other styles that might suit my taste. Best of all, she pointed out that given my loyalty to two of their classic styles (the scoop V-​neck, and the crossover empire waist shirt), I don’t have to wait for my next Bay area visit in order to restock: I can order my favorite styles online.
I wouldn’t get my entire wardrobe at CB — as their name suggests, these are basics — but it is a great source for the staples we all need in our wardrobes.