As someone who has rigorously tested fabrics and apparel for over a decade, I know quality clothing when I feel it.
So when I first stumbled upon Cotton On a few years back, I remained skeptical. Could clothes this inexpensive hold up over years of wear and wash? Or would they lose shape, fade and pill quickly like most "fast fashion" brands?
There was only one way to find out.
I‘m Jane and I‘ve put Cotton On to the test by purchasing and wearing dozens of their products repeatedly over 3+ years.
Today I‘ll share my hands-on experiences to help you determine if their basics are worth buying.
Here’s what I’ll cover in my honest Cotton On review:
- My first impression trying this Aussie brand
- How various Cotton On pieces held up over years of regular use
- Comfort, fit, sizing, style and price point comparisons
- How their quality stacks up against competitors
- Are their sustainability efforts legit?
- Guidance shopping the Cotton On sale section
- Final verdict: is Cotton On worth your money?
By the end you’ll know exactly what to expect from their clothes for women, men and kids.
Let’s dive in!
My First Impression of Cotton On Clothing
The first time I walked into a Cotton On store back in 2019, the bright colors and friendly staff invited me in. Racks brimmed with inexpensive tanks, tees, hoodies, jeans, dresses and other wardrobe staples I could envision wearing daily.
But I worried the quality wouldn’t measure up to the tempting price tags.
Could a V-neck tee costing $12 hold structure after a year of spin cycles? Would a $25 sweater pill into a bubbling mess after a few wears?
As someone who has rigorously tested apparel and home textiles for over a decade, excessive pilling drives me nuts!
So with low expectations I selected a few Cotton On pieces that seemed well constructed with tight knits and sturdy seaming:
- My first Cotton On purchase from 3 years ago.
I decided to put these affordable finds through the ringer – wearing each item at least 1-2 times per week to assess durability.
Here’s how everything held up…
Testing Cotton On Clothing Over 3+ Years of Regular Wear
Cotton On Bodysuits & Tanks Put to the Test
First up – the top pictured on the left above. A 3-pack of cotton/modal blend tanks costing about $35 total.
The fabric felt buttery soft out of the pack with a nice substantial weight. After tossing them in the wash cycles 30+ times over several years, the material retained that same silky feel against skin without thinning or pilling. Plus the necklines stayed stretchy and didn’t lose shape.
For less than $12 each, these are my go-to basic tanks for layering year-round!
Next I put Cotton On’s ribbed bodysuits to the test. I loved the snap closure bottom instead of annoying clips some brands use. Over numerous wears the rib fabric kept its thickness, the necklines retained form and the leg openings didn’t overstretch.
In fact, I reached for my original black bodysuit just yesterday! For $20 these hold up fantastically.
So my verdict after 3 years of frequent use?
Cotton On tops stay soft and retain structure wash after wash without pilling, thinning, holes or loose threads. This put my initial doubts fully to rest! 😅
inspected Every Square Inch: My Favorite Sweater Holds Strong
Next came sweater weather.
I carefully inspected this tan knit button down checking for loose loops and flaws in the knitting density that could snag or unravel over time.
Finding none, I decided to make it my “wear constantly” sweater that first fall and winter.
After two full seasons the color remained vibrant. Not a single hole formed – I checked meticulously! Yes I may be a bit obsessive but you’d be surprised how many sweaters come apart at the seams after 10 or 20 wears. 😖
By springtime I half expected to find this sweater completely pill covered. But brushing it gently with a fabric shaver restored the soft texture good as new.
Today I still throw this sweater over tees and tanks when temperatures drop. It has kept its shape impeccably. For $40 you can’t beat it!
Analyzing knit density, seams & texture up close before wearing
How Do Cotton On Basics Stack Up to Other Brands?
After verifying first-hand that Cotton On clothes can in fact stand the test of time, next I compared them directly to other similarly priced fast fashion labels.
I tested tops and bottoms from go-to budget retailers like:
- Target
- Old Navy
- H&M
- Forever21
- Zara
I gauged metrics like fabric density, stitching, and thickness wearing various cotton tees and leggings from each brand side-by-side. I also checked for pills, holes, loose threads, and fading over months of frequent washing.
Here is how Cotton On apparel stacks up:
Cotton On Tops
- More durable fibers and tightly knit fabric prevents holes/tears
- Hems and necklines bettermaintain stretch and structure
- Less pilling than Target, H&M and Forever21
- Vibrant dyes don’t fade over time
- Softer feel than Old Navy and Zara
Cotton On Bottoms
- Waistbands retain more elasticity than Target, H&M and Zara
- Seams less prone to splitting than Forever21
- Leggings pass the “squat test” without going sheer 😅
- Sweatpants keep shape vs loosening bagginess
Now Cotton On clothes cost slightly more than rock-bottom fast fashion picks. But based on extensive testing, I firmly believe you get what you pay for.
An extra $5-10 per piece goes far when Cotton On apparel lasts exponentially longer, keeping you covered in elevating essentials season after season.
Breaking Down Signature Cotton On Styles: My Wardrobe MVPs
By this point you’re probably itching for specifics right? Next I’ll break down the exact Cotton On items that made regular rotation in my closet over the past 3 years:
Let’s start with tops…
Cotton On Hero Tees
These crew neck tees sell for $12 apiece, or snag two for $20. I picked up over half a dozen in various hues and all get weekly wear.
The cotton stands up to repeated laundering and holds dye color better than any graphic tee I’ve owned. They fit loose and flowy for ultimate comfort – ideal for jeans, leggings, shorts or skirts.
I machine wash and dry them without shrinkage or distortion. And not a single tiny hole or loose thread after endless spin cycles.
For cost per wear, Cotton On tees deliver big time!
Ribbed Crop Tanks
If I could only choose one shirt type to wear daily for life, ribbed cotton tanks win by a landslide.
Cotton On’s rib crop tanks sell 3 for $30. The substantial fabric has slight stretch to smoothly skim curves. Pairs perfectly with high waisted pants.
Worn weekly they retain flexibility without getting saggy or misshapen. I never hesitate to toss them in the laundry.
Bonus: the built-in shelf bra with pads offers light shaping and support.
Overall my comfiest layering top for year-round wear!
Cozy Zip Up Hoodies
My active pre-teen goes nuts over Cotton On’s printed zip hoodies at $25 apiece. I finally caved and bought two patterned ones for myself as well.
These generously sized hoodies keep me toasty warm for fall and winter months. They’re that ultra soft fleece inside that fends off winter chills outdoors or inside overly air conditioned rooms.
Yet the fabric still breathes well during exercise. After dozens of cycles the vibrant dyes never bled or faded. And zero pilling or loose threads despite constant wear!
Well constructed with nice substantial metal zippers, structured hoods and stretchy banded hems that retain form.
My graphically bold pair pictured remains a weekly grab as temperatures drop.
How Does Cotton On’s Manufacturing Measure Up?
Digging deeper into Cotton On’s supply chain and manufacturing, I wanted to verify if their claims of eco-friendly processes held weight.
As context, many fast fashion labels promise sustainability but fall short in reality.
So how does Cotton On measure up? They reveal exceptional transparency around production on their website and annual reports.
Here are quick facts on how your clothes get made:
Fabric Origins
- 65% of cotton sourced from sustainable farms in Australia and USA
- 55% of polyester recycled from plastic bottles
- Ethically sources viscose, modal and wool
Manufacturing Standards
- Works exclusively with factories holding OEKO-TEX accreditation
- Limits water usage and chemical processing
- Requires livable wages and controlled work hours
- Publicly lists all Tier 1 factories
Environmental Impact
- 100% of energy in company facilities derived from renewable sources
- Dyed fabrics certified non-toxic to humans and marine life
- All paper packaging either recycled or FSC certified
- Pledged carbon neutral status by 2030
Clearly Cotton On underwent major supply chain analysis to clean up manufacturing. While not perfect, their transparency and measurable sustainability targets outshine most affordable apparel sellers.
Cotton On Kids Clothes Also Make the Cut
Now that we covered women’s and men‘s clothing quality in depth, how does Cotton On measure up for youth apparel?
Both my son and niece love rocking Cotten On’s trendy prints and comfy staples. And after years of play dates and sleepovers seeing the clothes withstand endless action, I agree their kids’ range passes with flying colors!
We especially love the:
Licensed Tees – College logo and graphical prints made my tween feel seriously cool for $15 a pop. After too many washes to count they don’t fade or tear.
Ribbed Leggings – The ultimate comfy pants for girls on the move! Like the women’s, Cotton On’s rib knit perfectly hugs her shape without losing elasticity. They pair with everything for school, play dates or lounging. And the fabric feels softer than leggings 3x the price.
Hoodies & Joggers – Can’t get enough cozy fleece! The bright colors and fun graphics appeal way more than boring plain black. Breathable with stretch so she can climb, cartwheel and play for hours minus restriction.
I appreciate that Cotton On avoids harmful recycled plastics in their kids’ pieces for safe skin contact. Compared to big box stores, these stay vibrant and hold structure exponentially longer.
Cotton On Sizing: Does It Run Small?
If you’re wondering whether Cotton On sizes run big, small or true to size, I have the scoop after trying dozens of their products personally.
Women’s Tops
I found cotton tees and tanks fit loose and forgiving. Size down for a less slouchy look. Crop lengths were slightly shorter than expected – order longer lengths if you prefer max coverage.
Women’s Bottoms
My true jeans size worked well for Cotton On denim. Joggers and leggings felt snugger fitting than average, so consider sizing up once.
Men’s Gear
My husband found the t-shirts and henleys true to size with nice loose cuts that weren’t clingy. Hoodies also allowed comfortable room without looking oversized.
Kids Clothes
My son and niece found tops pretty much aligned to their regular sizing. But for bottoms, leggings and joggers tended to run smaller than expected. Size up for a perfect fit.
Are Cotton On Sale Items Worth It?
As a smart shopper always looking for deal, when I discover well-made affordable clothing you better believe I stock up during sales!
If you’re debating whether Cotton On deals are worthwhile, I’m happy to report markdowns apply to the exact same durable, soft fabrics you’ll wear on repeat.
I especially love snagging Cotton On clearance finds like:
- Built-in bra tanks – $6
- Fleece zip hoodies – $12
- Organic crew neck tees – $8
- Ripped skinny jeans – $20
- Novelty graphic tees – $10
Their sale section stays freshly stocked with recent designs – not just leftover dregs. So I routinely save 50-75% scoring Cotton On wardrobe MVPs my whole family loves wearing for literally years afterwards.
Pro tip: Filter by your size first when shopping deals. The best stuff goes fast!
The Verdict: Should You Buy Cotton On Clothes?
After years testing fabrics and inspecting clothes first-hand in my career, I don’t say this lightly…
Cotton On apparel passes my quality standards with flying colors.
Sure they may cut some corners to offer such inexpensive pricing. But after comparing Cotton On side-by-side to dozens of competitors, their clothing lasts exponentially longer.
Where fast fashion retailers often lack in ethics, Cotton On leads by revealing exceptional transparency into fair, sustainable manufacturing. Are they perfect? No. But senior leadership clearly recognizes progress still needed, as evidenced by their bold emissions goals and closed-loop packaging pledges.
For inexpensive, ethical clothing made to last years rather than months, Cotton On earns my wholehearted recommendation.
In fact I’m wearing three Cotton On pieces while typing this! 😉
So next time you need comfy tops, jeans, hoodies or other wear-anywhere basics on a budget, add Cotton On to your checkout cart. Just be sure to filter by your size first – the good stuff sells out lightning fast.
Have you worn Cotton On before? Share your thoughts in the comments!
