Hey there, fashion lover! If you‘re like me, you‘re always on the hunt for stylish, affordable pieces to add to your wardrobe rotation. And if you haven‘t checked out Cotton On yet, you‘re seriously missing out. This Aussie brand has been my go-to for years now, and I‘m excited to share everything I know and love about them in this comprehensive Cotton On review.
First, A Bit of Background on Cotton On
Cotton On is a fashion and lifestyle retailer that was born in Geelong, Australia back in 1991. From its humble beginnings selling denim jackets at weekend markets, Cotton On has grown into a global fashion force with over 1,500 stores across 22 countries.
I‘ve been a fan of Cotton On since I first stumbled upon them during a trip to Australia in the early 2000s. I was immediately drawn to their laid-back, beachy vibe and super-soft fabrics. Plus, the price points were unbeatable! Over the years, I‘ve consistently been impressed by Cotton On‘s ability to churn out on-trend pieces season after season while maintaining their commitment to affordability and comfort.
Digging Into Cotton On‘s Product Lines
So what exactly can you find at Cotton On? The short answer is pretty much everything. From everyday basics like tees and tanks to denim, dresses, activewear, swimwear, accessories, and shoes, they‘ve got you covered.
One thing I love about Cotton On is how they make it easy to build outfits. They‘re always coming out with cute coordinating sets and pieces that easily mix and match. Their denim selection is also top-notch – I‘ve snagged some of my all-time favorite high-waisted skinnies and mom jeans from Cotton On over the years.
Here‘s a quick breakdown of Cotton On‘s main product categories:
| Category | What You‘ll Find |
|---|---|
| Women | Tops, Bottoms, Dresses, Denim, Activewear, Loungewear, Swimwear, Intimates, Shoes, Accessories |
| Men | Tops, Bottoms, Denim, Activewear, Loungewear, Swimwear, Underwear, Shoes, Accessories |
| Kids | Baby (0-24mo), Girls (1-14), Boys (1-14), Shoes, Accessories |
| Curve + Plus | Women‘s Specialty Sizes (16-24) |
| Rubi Shoes | Expanded Shoe Selection |
| Typo | Quirky Gifts, Home Goods, Stationery, Tech Accessories |
As you can see, Cotton On really does have something for everyone. I especially love that they‘ve expanded their offerings over the years to be more size-inclusive. Their Curve + Plus range is full of the same trendy pieces as the main line, just in extended sizes. We love to see it!
But Wait, What About Quality?
Now, I know what you might be thinking. With such affordable prices, Cotton On must skimp on quality, right? Well, I‘m happy to report that in my experience, that‘s not the case at all.
Sure, Cotton On isn‘t designer-level quality. But for the price point, I‘ve always found their pieces to be well-made, comfortable, and long-lasting. I have Cotton On tees and dresses from nearly a decade ago that are still going strong.
The key is to take proper care of your Cotton On items. I always follow the wash instructions on the tag, and I hang-dry a lot of my pieces to prevent shrinking and extend their lifespan. I also recommend reading reviews before ordering to get a sense of any quality issues or sizing discrepancies – a few minutes of research can spare you from disappointment later on.
Overall though, I‘ve consistently been impressed with Cotton On‘s quality. The fabrics are soft, the cuts are figure-flattering, and the designs are just so dang cute. I‘ve turned countless friends onto the brand over the years, and the feedback is always positive. Which brings me to my next point…
What Other Shoppers Have to Say About Cotton On
I always think it‘s important to look beyond one person‘s opinion when considering a new brand. So I did a deep dive into online reviews to see what other Cotton On shoppers have been saying.
On the Cotton On website, most items have glowing 4 and 5-star reviews. Customers rave about the softness, fit, and style of the clothes. Here are a few examples:
"I am in LOVE with this romper! It‘s so soft and stretchy, and the fit is perfect. I‘ve already gotten so many compliments." – Jenna S. on the Tie Front Romper
"These jeans are my new go-to. They‘re super high-waisted and hold everything in while still being comfy enough to wear all day." – Taylor R. on the High Rise Skinny Jean
"I bought this hoodie in three colors because it‘s just that good. It‘s oversized without being sloppy, and the fleece lining is so cozy." – Mike D. on the Fleece Pullover
Of course, no brand is immune to negative reviews. A few common complaints I noticed were around inconsistent sizing, colors not matching the website photos, and occasional quality issues like fraying or pilling after washing. However, these reviews were definitely in the minority.
I also found some great reviews of Cotton On on Reddit and TikTok. On r/AustralianMakeup, user @sati_lotus wrote, "I buy a lot of basics from Cotton On and I‘ve never been disappointed. The quality is great for the price and they always have sales."
Meanwhile, TikTok is full of users raving about their Cotton On hauls and styling the pieces in creative ways. User @jessicaalexis33 posted a video trying on her Cotton On activewear picks with the caption, "Cotton On active is the BEST! So affordable and the quality is amazing."
All in all, the vast majority of Cotton On customers seem to be happy campers. And that tracks with my own experience – I‘m always excited to see what they‘ll come out with next and add a few new pieces to my collection.
The Cotton On Kids and Baby Question
Okay, let‘s dive into the topic that seems to be on a lot of parents‘ minds: is Cotton On Kids and Baby legit? As a mom myself, I totally get wanting to make sure you‘re dressing your little ones in clothes that are cute, comfy, and high-quality.
I‘m happy to report that my experience with Cotton On Kids has been fantastic. I‘ve been shopping the line since my daughter was born a few years ago, and it‘s become one of my favorite places to score affordable baby and toddler clothes.
Here‘s what I love about Cotton On Baby:
- The onesies and rompers are made from the softest cotton that feels gentle on my daughter‘s sensitive skin
- The patterns and colors are adorable – think fun animal prints, cheeky slogans, and lots of pretty pastels and neutrals
- The price point is amazing, especially considering the quality. I never feel guilty stocking up on new outfits since I know I‘m getting a great deal
- The pieces hold up well in the wash and can handle the rough-and-tumble toddler life
As my daughter has grown into the Cotton On Kids line, I continue to be impressed. I love the mix of trendy and classic pieces and how easy it is to put together cute outfits. I also appreciate that they carry such a wide size range, from babies all the way up to 14-year-olds.
I will say that I‘ve found Cotton On Kids sizing to be a bit inconsistent – some items seem to run big while others are more fitted. My advice is to always check the size chart and read the reviews before ordering. Many reviewers will note whether an item runs true to size or if you should size up or down. When in doubt, I usually err on the side of sizing up so my kiddo has some room to grow.
Another thing to note is that not all Cotton On Kids items are 100% cotton. While the majority of the baby line is cotton, you‘ll find more synthetics like polyester and viscose blends in the boys and girls lines. If your child has sensitivities or eczema, definitely check the fabric composition before buying.
How Does Cotton On Compare to Other Affordable Brands?
If you‘re considering shopping Cotton On for yourself or your kiddos, you might be wondering how they stack up to other popular affordable retailers. Here‘s my take:
| Brand | Price | Quality | Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton On | $ | Good | Trendy, casual, Aussie vibes |
| Old Navy | $ | Good | Classic, all-American |
| H&M | $ | Good | Trendy, European style |
| Uniqlo | $$ | Great | Timeless basics with a modern twist |
| Zara | $$ | Good | High fashion trends |
As you can see, Cotton On is a great choice if you‘re looking for casual, trendy pieces at a budget-friendly price point. The quality is on par with other mall brands like Old Navy and H&M, but I personally prefer Cotton On‘s laidback Aussie aesthetic. Of course, Uniqlo and Zara are also great options if you‘re open to spending a bit more for elevated basics or runway-inspired designs.
A Note on Sustainability and Ethics
As someone who tries to make conscious fashion choices, I always like to consider a brand‘s sustainability and ethical practices before supporting them with my dollars. Like most big retailers, Cotton On has some room for improvement in this area, but I‘m happy to see them making some positive changes in recent years.
In terms of sustainability, Cotton On has made a public commitment to using 100% sustainable cotton by 2023, with a focus on sourcing Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) and organic cotton. They‘ve also started using more recycled materials in their denim and swimwear lines and have a clothing recycling program in their Australian stores.
On the ethical labor front, Cotton On has a detailed Supplier Code of Conduct that covers things like working conditions, fair wages, and no forced or child labor. They also work with third-party auditors to monitor compliance in their supply chain. While they could definitely be more transparent about their factory list and audit results, I‘m glad to see them taking steps in the right direction.
Of course, the most sustainable and ethical option is to simply buy less and wear what you have. But if you‘re in the market for some new pieces, I personally feel comfortable supporting Cotton On as they continue to improve their practices. No brand is perfect, but I believe progress should be celebrated.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Cotton On Shopping
Before I wrap up this Cotton On review, I wanted to share a few of my best tips for making the most of your Cotton On shopping experience:
- Always check for sales and promo codes. Cotton On has sales so frequently that I almost never buy anything at full price. I recommend signing up for their email list to get alerted about the latest deals.
- Read the reviews before buying, especially for sizing info. Like I mentioned earlier, sizing can be tricky, so it‘s always a good idea to see what other shoppers are saying before adding to cart.
- Check the fabric composition. While most Cotton On pieces are majority cotton, you will find some synthetics mixed in. If you have sensitive skin or prefer natural fibers, be sure to peek at the materials list.
- Don‘t sleep on the men‘s and kids‘ sections. I‘ve found some great unisex pieces in the men‘s department, and the kids‘ line often has similar styles to the women‘s line at a lower price point.
- Take advantage of free shipping and returns. Cotton On offers free shipping on orders over $60 and free returns on all orders. I love being able to try things on at home without the pressure of a fitting room.
The Final Verdict on Cotton On
Well, my friend, we‘ve reached the end of my Cotton On review. If you‘ve made it this far, I hope I‘ve given you a helpful overview of what this brand has to offer and why I‘m such a fan.
In my opinion, Cotton On is a fantastic option for anyone looking for stylish, well-made, affordable fashion. They have a massive selection of on-trend pieces that are both cute and comfortable, and their prices simply can‘t be beat. I also love supporting a brand that makes an effort to be size-inclusive and more sustainable.
Of course, no brand is perfect, and Cotton On does have a few areas for improvement. I‘d love to see them expand their eco-friendly and ethical initiatives and work on standardizing their sizing a bit more. But overall, the pros far outweigh the cons for me.
If you‘re thinking about trying Cotton On for yourself or your kids, I say go for it! Start with a few basics like tees and shorts, and don‘t be afraid to branch out into their wide world of dresses, denim, shoes, and more. I have a feeling you‘ll be hooked in no time.
Thanks so much for reading, and happy shopping!
