I have been shopping here for many years. I used to buy their short-sleeved T-shirts that come in many colors because I really liked the design of the neckline. They were cute and affordable. In more recent years, I have bought Basic Leggings 2 or 3 times a year because they are comfortable, well-designed and USED TO BE AFFORDABLE. Sadly, the price has gone from $40 to over $100 - in 3 years! That seems outrageous considering how truly basic they are. I don't understand how the owner justifies such steep increase in price, but I know I won't be shopping here anymore. read more

Cotton Basics - Women's Clothing Near Me - Berkeley, California

I love this place. I tried on two of the same shirt, one in a size small and one in a size medium. I accidentally put the wrong one back and ended up buying the wrong size. When I came back a couple days later, they let me exchange it super easily since the tags were still on. Thank you so much for the easy process and good customer service! I didn't get the name of whoever helped me with the exchange, but the person who originally helped me was Maya and she's super friendly and gives awesome service. read more

I called the store today regarding a return and the sales associate who I spoke with was the absolute best! She has the most patience and understanding and was able to help me resolve my situation! read more

Love this place, great quality. REAL COTTON! Products last a long time. Highly recommend.

This is a great little store with lots of all-cotton clothes, which is hard to find these days. The fabric is good quality and the clothes are comfy, with nice colors (they make their own dyes). They can do custom orders too, and you can order online and have your order shipped anywhere. It's just so nice to be able to buy locally made clothes that last for years! read more

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. read more

For years now, I've relied on Cotton Basics for high-quality shirts that stand the test of time. They've perfected the art of light cotton T's that are flattering for different body types. Locally-made -- and dyed! -- is also a plus for me. If you're looking to find better quality clothing while supporting a local business, check out one of Cotton Basics' charming shops. read more

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. read more

Ok, I have stopped wearing any tight pants so I love their flowy pants. But, the pants really stretch out to the point where fall off---my sister and I both are experiencing this problem with the pants, we are sad to say. I went down a size thinking that will help. It did, temporarily, but then the pants stretched out again. Fresh out of the wash, they fit in an acceptable way, but half way through the day, the pants are sliding down. These pants are a little pricey, so I expect more. Also, on the note of returns, that I saw other people writing about. A couple of years ago I bought a sweater on their thrift rack--which i think they don't have anymore. I asked about the return policy and was told i can make the return within a certain amount of days. I go for the return within the time frame, and they said that the thrift clothing is another vendor and they cannot process the return (though they were able to process the purchase!). They said the owner is out of the country and so can't deal with it (I saw another reviewer was told the same thing--it seems an excuse for things they don't want to deal with). This shop is a little annoying with this stuff. I'm still giving them 3 stars, which to me is, I'll still shop there, but not with joy. read more

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 3/4 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. read more

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. read more

CB is a good local company that pays their employees a living wage and produces all their clothes in the Bay Area. There aren't a lot of store left that have such a responsible and sustainable business model. Staff is super helpful, especially Rachel who produces many of the designs and gives great style advice! They can also do alterations to ensure a perfect fit. read more

What an unpleasant shopping experience. The clothes are nice, but the customer service is horrible. The entire time I spent in Cotton Basics the two saleswomen present were engaged in a b*tch fest over by the register, which is annoying enough. What is unacceptable is when one began to make very loud, and rude, comments about the customers in the store. Although I found a well-fitting jacket, I will not be returning. read more