Most questions answered below. If you don't see yours, get in touch — we usually reply within a working day.
Our pieces
About our pieces
What is Shweshwe?
Shweshwe is a printed cotton fabric with deep cultural roots in Southern Africa. Originally indigo-dyed and worn for centuries, it's known for bold geometric patterns, a distinctive smell before its first wash, and how beautifully it softens with age. We work with authentic Shweshwe sourced from heritage African mills.
Where are your pieces made?
Every piece is hand-finished in our studio in Cape Town, Cape Town. We source textiles from heritage mills across South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, Mozambique and Ghana, then cut, sew and finish each piece by hand in small batches.
How do I care for my Shweshwe piece?
Cold or 30°C wash, gentle cycle, inside out. Wash separately the first one or two times — authentic Shweshwe always releases dye in early washes (it's part of how the fabric is made, not a fault). See our full care guide for fabric-by-fabric instructions.
How do your sizes run?
True to size, with a soft drape. If you're between sizes, we recommend sizing up — Shweshwe softens beautifully with each wash but starts crisp. See our size guide for full measurements.
Orders
Orders & payment
What payment methods do you accept?
All major credit and debit cards, EFT (SA only), Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayFast at checkout.
Can I change or cancel my order?
Within 2 hours of placing your order, yes — just email us. After that, your order is usually already in production or packed for shipping, so changes aren't always possible.
Do you offer custom orders?
Yes — we can adjust most pieces (different size, different print combination) or create made-to-measure pieces from scratch. Custom orders take 5–10 working days. Get in touch with what you have in mind.
Delivery
Shipping & delivery
How long will my order take to arrive?
South Africa: 2–5 working days. UK and Europe: 4–6 working days express. USA: 3–5 days express, or 10–14 days economy. See our shipping page for full delivery times by region.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes — we ship worldwide via TUNL using FedEx, UPS, and TUNL Economy. Live rates are calculated at checkout based on your address and parcel weight.
Will I have to pay customs or duties?
USA orders ship Delivered Duty Paid — no surprise charges. UK orders under £135 have UK VAT collected at checkout. EU and other regions may have local VAT or duty owed to the carrier on delivery. Full details on our shipping page.
Returns
Returns & exchanges
What's your return policy?
14 days from delivery for unworn pieces with tags. Custom orders are non-refundable. See our returns page for the full policy.
Can I exchange for a different size?
Yes — email us within the return window and we'll reserve the new piece while your original ships back.
Visit us
Visiting the studio
Can I visit the studio in Cape Town?
Yes, by appointment. We're in Cape Town, on the south peninsula. Read more about visiting →