What brand are we showing today?
Today’s shop is a mixed bag.
You can almost find your entire casual needs in-store. They cover womenswear, menswear and accessories all in the one space.
This store is found in almost every major shopping centre and I do love its story of being founded at a Geelong market!!
So in store you’ll find undergarments, sleepwear plus a little loungewear for a rainy afternoon on the couch.
Running? Yoga? You’ll find a collection of on-trend active-wear in breathable, structured fabrics.
Sounds pretty casual right?
Well, they also do incredibly good denim that can go from day to night at $49.95 and under. Denim is actually where it all started for this company back in 1991.
This season they’re channelling the 70’s denim flare plus you’ll find your skinny/straight leg or bootleg classic.
They also know denim works everywhere else – vests, shirts, shorts and skirts. But please, no double-denim looks, it’s a very hard look to achieve 🙂
While we’re easing out of winter, you’ll also find a range of coats, anoraks, cardigans, biker jackets and blazers.
Again, you’ll find $49.95 and below price tags swinging from an array of gorgeous pieces.
In terms of colours, they love a basic so you’ll find all the classics in your black, neutrals and stone hues.
However, they are renowned for bringing runway looks to casual pieces so on-trend colours and prints also find their way in store and quickly I might add.
So if Milan Fashion Week is telling us that daisy digital prints are in, there’s a good chance you’ll find a t-shirt or casual dress inspired by the print.
Accessories are wonderful – there’s even shoes! You can easily create a head-to-toe look in here.
Okay, so at that price range you must be wondering about the quality?
Well I’m pleased to say it’s pretty damn good. I love the range of options, some pieces are better quality than others so always, go in store and try them on.
Now, you need to take your time in this store. It’s fairly organised but they do have a lot of stock to filter through. Check the sales racks at the back and new season at the front. Sizing is varied and they’re always well stocked.
Well, enough said.
Can you guess where we are before reading to the very end?
****
COTTON ON!
Who guessed and who already loves Cotton On? If you don’t, have we encouraged you to take a wander in store?
I like to suggest Cotton On to clients seeking on-trend pieces that will only be seasonal. This is so they’re not making a huge wardrobe investment but are able to work the look for a few months.
Now I didn’t include this clue but thought it was worthy of a mention. Nigel Austin, Cotton On’s founder set up shop at the Beckley Market in Geelong at age 18 to sell a pile of denim acid wash sample jackets.
The first store opened in 1991 and I love knowing I’m supporting an Australian company that started from such a small space to now have hundreds of stores and an arm of group brands.
Would love to know your thoughts, any looks/pieces you like and if you might be heading into Cotton On yourself.
Hear from you in the comments below 🙂
Lis says
Cindy – you’ve done it again. I admit I rarely even look inside this store but you’ve inspired me to take a peek. Love the stripy skirt and the pairing of the grey dress with mesh knit that you’ve done.
Cindy Newstead says
Thanks Lis, this is a really casual blog and photos but we get asked for this as well as cheaper stores! I threw the dress and knit on and was pleased also…….so inexpensive and accessible! Hope you go in soon! xo
Louise says
Hi Cindy,
One thing I’ve noticed with Cotton-On’s range of clothing is that the brand has the knack of hitting the mainstream youth trends with absolute precision. There is nothing in their store that is either old hat, or too niche or avantgarde. The buyer knows that he/she will look totally current, but not like a fashion victim. When I want to know what trends the youth of Australia will be wearing each season, I know I only need to look in one store – Cotton-On. They really are the St Laurent of budget fashion!
The other nice aspect is their slant towards comfort and practicality.Theirs are clothes that are easy to wear, and they feature lots of styles that look good on a larger figure. And to their credit, this winter, they are the only place I could find which has kept stocking tight fitting long sleeve tees- which I always need a supply of to wear underneath my jumpers. Everywhere else has stocked some sort of looser ” fashion” long-sleeve tee –, which just don’t layer properly. So Cotton-On understands the meaning of “basics” better too. No wonder they are prospering!
Cindy Newstead says
Well said Louise!!! Australian owned too……big plus!!!! Thanks so much for your well written comment x