Cotton Basics

Return policy is not my favorite, but these clothes last. I still have pieces I bought from them in 2000. I love that they make the Cotton Basics brand locally.
Their sizing system is a little weird. The small-​large seem to be on target. For larger sizes, they have a numbering scheme. The weird part is that the numbers are also sometimes used on their dresses (when they have dresses) and other types of garments that are not necessarily the larger sizes.

Meh. service not so great. Selection spotty. I’ve bought cute but pricey kids stuff here that’s it.

Do not order from this business online.
I have been a long time customer of this store, after living in San Francisco for many years. I made the mistake of ordering from them online and they shipped the goods to my new city. I did not receive the package (likely stolen off my doorstep). The merchant claims they have no responsibility for the missing package and expects me to eat the cost of the order that I did not receive.
I will never order from them again and am shocked by the poor customer service. The clerk was rude on the phone and their email follow-​up was terse and denied any responsibility for the missing items. It’s particularly a shame because I spend a pretty penny on clothing and they just lost future sales.

Terrible customer service today. The two female employees spoke Tagalog the entire time when I was paying for my purchase. Very bad impression! For better customer service and manners, speak English in front of the customers.

I really love CB. I see from the reviews below, there was some poor customer service in 2009, and I can say from shopping there since 2010 that whomever that employee was has shaped up or is gone.
Wonderful customer service every time I’ve been. I’ve since moved out of the state, and I make CB a must-​visit every time I’m in town. You get exactly what is advertised: nice basic pieces that can be layered into many different outfits. I’ve never had any complaints about quality and have no qualms in paying a little more for it!

I like the clothes here quite a bit, but the service is simply terrible.
I placed an online order for several products to be shipped. Three weeks later when nothing arrived, I emailed the store. After receiving no response I finally called.
I was told that my package had been shipped one week after the order was placed, and that it should have been delivered. Since it wasn’t, I was told to wait and see for another week working on the assumption that the package has been returned. So, hopefully within 4 – 6 weeks of placing an order, I may or may not receive a product. I guess we’ll find out.
My advice: go through amazon or another online retailer you can count on to be trustworthy, responsive, and timely – all characteristics this store completely lacks

Got a call from the manager, Jessica, after I disputed the charge with my credit card company. She apologized may times for the incident, refunded my card, let me pick out a free scarf and gave me 15% off my next purchase.
I still think their refund policy is too harsh, but she handled what was a really bad customer experience with grace.
Thanks, Jessica.

Cotton Basics really needs to rethink its refund policy. I had a similar experience as Pam. I bought an item in the store, but then realized it was a bad idea. They would not refund my money but instead gave me a store credit. The store credit idea, annoying as it is, is understandable for a small business. But their store credit only lasts THIRTY DAYS!!!
A few days later I was planning to return to use my store credit. However, I had mislaid the credit slip, but I did still have the receipt. I called to find out their policy. The air-​of-​entitlement girl who answered the phone instructed me to call the next day, and … hung up on me! Good move, Cotton Basics!
This morning, I went in to attempt to use my receipt. The manager was there and informed me that they do not keep a record of store credits! I have never heard of any store not keeping a record of such things. I know they do not hire the brightest bulbs on the planet, but how difficult is it to keep a record of customer credits, particularly when they expire after only 30 days? The store manager explained that the credit was as good as money, but the last time I checked, money has no expiration date. Furthermore, because they do not keep records, anyone clever at forgery could have a field day.
I gave them plenty of business over the years, but no more. Business must be pretty good if they can afford to drive away customers.

Simple. That’s what this store has in spades. Simplicity.
Everything is made from cotton. Everything is comfy and stretchy and made to move.
I went here looking for some stretchy yoga-​type pants to wear when learning tricks with my new hula hoop, and they had exactly what I was looking for. To a T. I also lucked out by finding an entire shelf of American Apparel leggings in black in every size. Even cropped ones. I was looking for some of these, but didn’t want to trek to the AA store to get them, soooo score! They were having a 15% off sale on most things, so both pairs of pants came with savings. Yay!
And the service was top notch. I wondered if the leggings would shrink when deciding on a size, and the clerk took the time time to call a colleague to ask for me. That’s going above and beyond in my opinion.
Roomy dressing rooms and a clean, well organized store.
If you need specific cotton items: tanks, pants or tees, try this shop.

I can’t speak for any of the clothing here because it’s all womens. But on a cold day, I was without a scarf and I saw one in the window and went in. A very pleasant lady pointed me to a basket full of them in all different colors… they’re all cotton she said and 20% off right now. That did the trick, that was over a year ago and the scarf still looks like new even though I’ve worn it quite a bit.

I am so happy I found this place. I bought the best shirt here the other day that is so soft and comfortable. I also got two tank tops in their bargain bin for $ 10!
The service is so good and the clothing seems well made.

So why do I keep going to this place. arghh. everytime I buy something it rips, breaks or fades! The staff are rude, the prices are over the top and the clothes are boring… keep walking, do not enter — I have learnt my lesson this time!

I went in today because the other day when I passed the store on the bus I saw they had some really petty summer floral dresses and I just had to go and check them out! The lady in the front was nice, sadly the only thing that was interesting in the store was the dresses that I was interested in all the other things where boring, but overall a good experience!

«Cotton Basics is a SF Bay Area company that produces natural fiber clothing… something, something… produced locally, in our Oakland workshop…»
I bought a lovely green long sleeve shirt that was 30% off, so I got it for $ 20. It brings out my eyes. I’ve bought a few things here, they are very comfortable and last a long time.
About 18 years ago, a pigeon let loose a truckload of shit on me and the nice people at Cotton Basics let me use their sink to clean up. I’ve been a loyal customer since that day, so I’m probably a little biased.
The prices can be good, if you buy when they’re having a sale. They’re always having a sale.

If I could give a negative stars rating it would be MINUS 5!
Customer service is rude rude rude. The quality of the clothing is low — don’t expect the original shape of the garment to last through more than three gentle washings — at least not the waffle weave. They have a NO REFUND policy — even when they are clearly at fault. Give it a miss. For the prices they charge they should treat their customers with respect and provide a quality product.

I actually do understand why there would be less than stellar reviews for Cotton Basics. When I first perused the store, I wasn’t terribly impressed, either. And the sticker shock was enough to make me rethink my need for a basic cotton tee. It’s not cheap, by any means.
But the thing of it is, Cotton Basics has been in the neighborhood for 25 years, and in this prime corner location for 10. They do sell only cotton basics, so they can’t be accused of false advertising. You won’t find anything fancy lurking in the corner here.
For those of you who balked at the pricing, the sales gal was kind enough to let me know that they do offer two store-​wide sales every year. One is coming up in September.
Amazingly, they’ve been a local’s staple for decades, and after taking a good half hour to mess around in there and touch everything, I can see why. The clothes are well-​made, simply designed, come from Oakland, California… and decidedly NOT American Apparel.
This means they do not have toddler sized clothing disguised as adult wear. A size medium is actually a size medium and will not make you look like an adult film star. Dang it.
Also, nothing see-​through. When you pour water on these tee shirts, nothing shows.
I’m sure the spring break Girls Gone Wild wet tee shirt contest people will never step foot in here to purchase a shirt. I can’t say the same for American Apparel, however.
(If street parking is a pain, the Walgreen’s lot is free for one hour to the public, after which they slap you with a gasp-​inducing fee.)

First time in this store and I was amazed by the quality of their cuts. I found a long jersey tank top that fit me perfectly and was long enough to cover my bum during cycling. I’m a fan of all cotton in the summer and I found a dress that was super flattering and came in 3 colors (2 of which I ordered, only $ 35 and they promised to call me as soon as they got in). Pretty cheap considering that I could have been shopping at American Apparel. They have a wider range of selection cut wise here and are geared towards a curvier woman — they fit me nicely, and all kinds of breast and hip coverage makes me happy. Hurray for curves.

I went in this store when I was in the neighborhood a year or so ago. I used to go by this store when I worked in the Mission every day and I figured I’d finally pop in and see what they carry.
They have a lot of well, basics. Plain shirts of different colors, various cuts (crew, v neck, etc.), pants, sweatshirts and so on. I don’t know why, but I wanted to find something to buy. Sorta stupid, but I was in spending mode that day.
I found some green sorta bell-​bottom sweat pants and a teal, v neck shirt. I tired them on and I decided to go ahead and buy them. Granted they were on the pricier side which is odd to me because it’s cotton! Then again, it’s Noe Valley. But I think the pants are my most comfy pants ever. I wish I bought another pair and they were cheaper. I can’t recall the price. The top is good too as it fits me nice and hasn’t stretched out like sometimes cotton does.
I just wish some of the clothes had a bit more style to it and were less expensive. Oh and I will agree with the other poster regarding the sizing as it totally depends on the garment itself.

the other reviews are right: it’s not much more than basics. also, the smallest size is an S, and not an especially small S (in other words, i can’t wear the tank tops alone). not especially cheap ($ 20 for a tank), but the cotton is pretty soft.

Cotton basics reminded me of American Apparel with more muted colors and sizes that didn’t seem to ring true.
For a store with painting of rubenesque women on the wall, they didn’t have anything I saw in an XL and their L seemed a little dubious.
At least American Apparel has an XL for women despite the skinny as*s in their ads.