LAKE ELINOR FAQ
Q: WHAT SIZE DO I WEAR?
Fluid sizing (One Size Fits Many): Sizes OX-3X
Clothing is intentionally designed for fluidity of movement and ease of care.
Q: WHAT FABRICS DO YOU USE, and HOW DO I CARE FOR THEM?
I use luxurious, premium fabrics made from primarilynatural materials: this is a cornerstone of my design process and high quality is a non-negotiable. My textiles must meet the following criteria to be considered part of the collection:
• soft on skin
• breathable
• easy to care for (cold wash + air dry)
• designed to last
• responsibly sourced with minimal environmental impact
To prolong the life of your garments, I suggest only cold water and air dry: the way our ancestors washed and dried their clothes for thousands of years. To fluffen up and soften an air-dried garment, tumble dry low for a few minutes. If you wish to dry clean, please do so responsibly and support only green dry cleaners in your area.
Linen: One of my favorite fabrics, linen has been cultivated as a fiber for more than 6,000 years. It is made from the flax plant, is antibacterial, and is almost three times stronger than cotton. It is also an excellent choice for helping to regulate body temperature, as it wicks moisture away from the body. Linen of course tends to wrinkle, but its texture is what makes this fabric so lovely: the beauty is in the imperfections. I love the artisanal look and feel of washed linen, it adds understated elegance to any wardrobe. It even becomes softer over time. I source some of the highest-quality linens from around the world, from suppliers as committed to responsible manufacturing as we are. Also, I try to find deadstock fabric, which would otherwise end up in a landfill.
Care: linen will shrink in hot water and in the dryer. Hand or machine wash cold delicate cycle with similar colors, gentle detergent, no bleach or fabric softener, air dry. Linen can feel stiff when it's air dried (because it's a plant fiber), but not to worry: once it's fully dry, you can tumble in the dryer on air dry only for a few minutes and it'll be super soft. If you use an iron, set it to cool and use a press cloth-- direct pressure can damage the fibers.
Tencel® (Lyocell): Lyocell is an ultra-soft, breathable fabric that feels like sueded silk. It has a fluid drape and is one of the best options for people with sensitive skin. It is made from the pulp of eucalyptus trees and is one of the most environmentally-friendly fibers out there: with a closed-loop manufacturing process, 99% of the wastewater is reused instead of wasted.
Many brands often use the terms lyocell and Tencel interchangeably, but it’s not quite accurate unless the brand has exclusive branding rights from Lenzing®, the company manufactures Tencel®, which is the brand name for the fiber lyocell. Like tissue is to Kleenex®, lyocell is to Tencel®.
Care: hand or machine wash cold delicate cycle with similar colors, gentle detergent, no bleach or fabric softener, air dry. Tencel® feels stiff when it's air dried (because it's wood pulp), but not to worry: once it's fully dry, you can tumble in the dryer on air dry only for a few minutes and it'll be super soft. If you use an iron, set it to cool and use a press cloth-- direct pressure can damage the fibers.
Bamboo: Bamboo can be tricky. We hear so much about how great it is use this incredibly soft and luxurious sustainable textile, which of course it is. However, what’s missing from most of conversation around bamboo is the way it is processed. It’s not the plant itself that is the problem, but rather, its manufacture. The chemicals used in processing bamboo rayon make an otherwise glorious fabric less-than-100% eco-friendly. As a result, I am mindful about how much bamboo rayon I use in my collections, and have chosen to use it sparingly in exchange for educating you about how textiles are produced. That said, I am currently exploring other textiles to use instead of bamboo, but which function just as well.
Care: hand or machine wash cold delicate cycle with similar colors, gentle detergent, no bleach or fabric softener, air dry. Once it's fully dry, you can tumble in the dryer on air dry only for a few minutes and it'll be super soft. If you use an iron, set it to cool and use a press cloth-- direct pressure can damage the fibers.
Silk: I only use Grade A, First class quality crepe, charmeuse and raw silk (or silk noil, an artisanal form of silk). Silk is one of the oldest natural protein fibers, and it's also one of the strongest and most luxurious. Silk can actually be quite easy to care for if we know what to do: our ancestors didn't dry clean their clothes, so good 'ole fashioned cold water and air dry will prolong the life of your garment. Just be sure to use gentle detergent and if you machine wash, place inside a garment bag, delicate cycle. Or hand wash instead if you're not sure.
Care: hand or machine wash cold delicate cycle with similar colors, gentle detergent, no bleach or fabric softener, use a garment bag for more delicate items. Air dry. Once it's fully dry, you can tumble in the dryer on air dry only for a few minutes and it'll be super soft. If you use an iron, set it to cool and use a press cloth-- direct pressure can damage the fibers.
Organic cotton: I much prefer organic to traditional cotton: there are no pesticides or harmful chemicals, it uses less water, and is gentler on the skin. The organic cottons I use are Oeko-Tex certified, which means the quality tends to be much higher, since the irrigation and manufacturing methods have stricter regulations and oversight. Did I mention it feels super soft on the skin?
Care: cotton will shrink in hot water and in the dryer. Hand or machine wash cold delicate cycle with similar colors, gentle detergent, no bleach or fabric softener, air dry. Cotton can feel stiff when it's air dried (because it's a plant fiber), but not to worry: once it's fully dry, you can tumble in the dryer on air dry only for a few minutes and it'll be super soft. If you use an iron, set it to cool and use a press cloth-- direct pressure can damage the fibers.
*Please note: I am not responsible for shrinkage or damage caused by improper care, so please make sure to read each care/content label carefully. All hand-dyed and hand-painted garments have been washed and tumble dried, so there shouldn't be much more shrinkage.
For all undyed pieces: As an independent brand I don't yet have the resources to pre-wash and dry these garments, but it's definitely something I'm looking into.
Q: DO YOU SHIP OUTSIDE THE U.S.?
I ship to all 50 states. At this time I am not shipping internationally.
Q: WHEN WILL MY ORDER ARRIVE?
All orders are shipped USPS Priority 1-3 days. As soon as your order is packed and a shipping label is created, you'll be noticed when it's on the way. Since Lake Elinor is a one-woman operation at this point, I'm handling all aspects of the business so I really appreciate your patience.
Q: WHAT IS YOUR POLICY FOR RETURNS AND EXCHANGES?
In the rare circumstance you aren't totally satisfied with your Lake Elinor purchase, I want to make it right. My policy lasts 10 business days from the shipping date. Unfortunately I can’t offer you a return or exchange if I don't hear from you within this 10 day period. I am a small one-woman operation (at this point), so I appreciate your understanding. See more here.
Q: IS MY PAYMENT INFORMATION SECURE?
Yes. Your privacy and security are important to me, and I adhere to strict guidelines when it comes to secure checkout. See the privacy policy and terms here.
Q: WHAT IS THE MEANING OF LAKE ELINOR?
Lakes are mythical, magical places: depending on the day—the moment, even—the color shifts with the light, the waves ebb and flow, the water freezes and unfreezes. Yet underneath all that constant change there exists an abiding peace. A knowing. A stillness. Our true nature. Lake Elinor is the embodiment of stillness and movement, beauty and elegance, with a dose of whimsy--just like my adoring and elegant grandmother Elinor, who inspired everyone she encountered during her nearly 103 years of life. When I was 5 years old, she introduced me the time-honored craft of sewing, which I have been refining for more than 35 years.
(While there are actual geographical places named Lake Elinor in Canada and Michigan (and maybe elsewhere), there is no connection or relationship to the brand. Any similarity is purely coincidental.)